Photos: South African Police seize huge drug consignment, arrest Nigerian man and Zimbabwean woman

South African police detectives from the Greater Karoo attached to OCU-Narcotics, on Sunday morning, May 28, arrested a Nigerian man and a Zimbawean woman and seized drugs worth more than R20 million.

The 49-year-old Nigerian man and the Zimbabwean woman, 28, were driving along the N1 from Johannesburg to Cape Town with the stash.

Police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said the man and woman would appear in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges related to the sale of drugs.

According to Pojie, the drugs were found after a joint operation by several police units. Western Cape detectives, members of the narcotics unit and the police’s dog unit in the Central Karoo were involved.

He said the drugs – cocaine and tik – which the police confiscated, was worth about R20.5 million.

The two were arrested at about 06:00 on Sunday morning after the car in which they were travelling was stopped. When police searched the car, they found 52kg of tik and more than 5kg of cocaine. It was hidden in plastic bags in the boot. They were arrested and the drugs and car confiscated.

The police suspect that the drugs had been destined for distribution in the Cape metropole. Pojie said it was one of the biggest drug busts this year in the Southern Cape.

In Swedish asylum limbo, young Afghans turn to heroin

Beer cans, newspapers drenched in vomit and aluminium foil litters the ground inside a parking garage where young Afghan asylum seekers smoke heroin as they shelter from the cold in central Sweden.

"When we smoke... we're calm and don't worry about anything," says Mahdi, a 16-year-old Afghan refugee, who started using heroin after he arrived and quickly got hooked.
Uppsala, a university town an hour's drive north of Stockholm, has taken in nearly 1,000 unaccompanied asylum seekers under the age of 18.

Around 100 of them, most of them Afghan, have been caught using heroin as they wait for their applications to be processed, which can take more than a year on average.
Swedish authorities acknowledge that drug abuse is prevalent among young asylum seekers.

In the capital Stockholm, at least 1,000 young asylum seekers received treatment for drug abuse in 2016. Most of them were minors and boys, health authorities said, without specifying their country of origin.
Anders Nilsson is a 38-year-old anti-narcotics police chief who's trying to do something about it.

Wearing faded jeans and a baseball cap, Nilsson leads a team of undercover cops scouting for young heroin addicts in the streets of Uppsala.
Strolling on a busy shopping street, he approaches groups of boys to see if anyone could be under the influence of heroin, eyeing their pupils and checking their pockets. 

Authorities want to take action to ensure the young men don't become a threat to themselves or to society.

"It's tough to find yourself in an asylum application process and having to wait for a decision," Hilde Wiberg, head of social services in Uppsala, says, adding many asylum seekers feel mentally unstable because of past traumas.

 To ease the fear 

Mahdi is one of the lucky ones: he overcame his heroin addiction and received permanent residency in Sweden.

Covering his head with a blue hoodie, he said he and his friends smoked the highly-addictive drug, related to opium which Afghanistan produces and distributes around the world, to ease their fear of being deported.
"(If) they don't have permanent residency... they're forced to go back to Afghanistan," Mahdi tells AFP.

And going home means they're at risk of being killed by either the Taliban or the Islamic State group.
Afghans constitute the highest number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Sweden. Nearly 80 percent of them have their applications approved.

Of the 1,321 requests processed so far this year, 200 have been rejected, according to the Swedish Migration Agency.
But in a revised security assessment published in December, the agency deemed some regions in Afghanistan such as Panjshir, Bamiyan and Daikundi "less dangerous" despite "increasing violence" in the war-torn country, making it easier to deport rejected asylum seekers to those areas.

Daniel Larsson, an Uppsala police superintendent, said a case of occasional possession or use of heroin would not negatively affect an individual's asylum request.

However, criminal acts would.

 'Sentenced to care' 

In order to fund their expensive habit, these young men often turn to a life of crime.
Police say they enter luxury clothing boutiques in central Uppsala and snatch whatever they see. Passersby have also been robbed, according to local media reports.

They then take the train or bus to northern Stockholm to buy the drugs, returning to Uppsala after making their purchase.
If the asylum seekers are caught using heroin by the undercover cops, they're taken to the police station for a urine test and kept under the supervision of social services.
But they won't face jail time.

Anders Nilsson says there's no other alternative for heroin abusers than to receive care.
"Instead of sentencing them to prison... we have the possibility to sentence them to (health) care," Nilsson says.

Asylum seekers whose addiction has gone too far are committed to care homes across Sweden. But Nilsson fears those homes are already overcrowded.
"It's very difficult to find space... you need a specific type of care."

'Very happy here' 

For Salim, a 17-year-old Kurdish unaccompanied asylum seeker, Sweden is a safe destination, where he can receive free education and health care.

Although he's still waiting for his asylum application to be granted and misses his family, Salim says he's "very happy to be" in Sweden, which in 2015 took in the largest number of refugees per capita in Europe.

"I don't have any problems here... I go to school here," he tells AFP, while killing time with his friends in central Uppsala.
He says unaccompanied minors wouldn't take drugs if they didn't have problems.

"There's not a single person here without problems," Salim says, looking down shyly at his shoes.
Asked what he'd like to do in the future if he stays, he chuckles.
"I want to be a police officer."

Senegal’s ex-president in new power bid at 91

Senegal’s former president Abdoulaye Wade, aged 91, will head a list of opposition candidates for parliament in an election to take place on July 30, according to aides.

The announcement was made on Monday night after a broad opposition coalition of more than 40 parties broke up, said supporters of Wade, who ruled the west African country from 2000 to 2012.

Some movements and associations in the coalition backed the mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall, who was jailed in March on suspicion of embezzlement but will still top a separate list of candidates, according to his supporters.

The deadline for submitting candidates in the poll expires overnight Tuesday. There is no age limit on people standing for parliament.

A parliamentary victory for the opposition to President Macky Sall would give Wade the means to obtain an amnesty for his son, Karim, who enjoyed considerable ministerial powers under his father, but was sentenced to six years in prison in 2015.

Karim Wade was also ordered to pay a fine of more than 210 million euros for “illicit enrichment”. He received a presidential pardon in June 2016 after a total of more than three years and now lives abroad. An amnesty would lift any doubts over his eligibility in politics, observers said.

The opposition coalition first came together in a bid to end the control of parliament by a coalition loyal to the head of state and force Sall to share power with newly elected political rivals.

The last-minute rift came because of differences between supporters of Wade and those of Khalifa Sall over who should head the list of candidates to be presented to voters.

In the previous parliamentary poll in 2012, the United in Hope coalition backing President Sall won an outright majority in a parliament of 150 seats. July’s election will see a further 15 deputies named to the National Assembly representing the Senegalese diaspora, under a constitutional amendment passed in March 2016.

Woman Chops Off Husband's Penis, Then Kills Herself

A woman in northern Thailand chopped off her unfaithful husband's penis and then drank pesticide to her death, local police said.

Kawinnart Saezong, 33, was declared dead on yesterday at a hospital in Phayao province, said Narin Cherdyoo, Phayao police officer.

Kawinnart's suicide happened soon after she chopped off her 38-year-old husband's penis while he was asleep early Saturday, after she learned of his multiple infidelities, Narin said.

Her husband, Niran Saewang, survived the attack, Narin said. He was transferred from Phayao to Lampang hospital, which is a three-hour drive, and had his penis reattached, a hospital staff confirmed.

Hospital staff in Phayao managed to retrieve Niran's penis and froze it with ice during the hospital transfer, according to Lampang hospital.

This is not the first time Lampang hospital has had to deal with such a case, the hospital said, adding that all of the penis reattachment surgeries there had been successful.

Niran is recuperating at the hospital following Monday's successful surgery, the hospital said. Doctors said he could urinate but will no longer be able to perform sexually again.

I Still Want To Be President- Donald Duke

A former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke,  said he would still take a shot at the presidency, if the opportunity presents itself. Duke spoke at a programme, “The Nigerian Symposium for Emerging Leaders ‘’, held in Lagos.

He said though he once aspired to the position but did not emerge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would still contest for the highest office in the country at the appropriate time.

 Duke explained that it was because of his preference for the presidential seat that he did not vie for any federal legislative seat after serving out his terms as governor.

Duke said the country`s democracy would fare better if young people, who form the larger proportion of the population ,took more active part in its political process. He said most developed countries had young people as their leaders at one point or the other in their democratic history.

 The former governor, however, said power was never given easily, urging young people to participate in the political process and use their prime to add value to the country. “I want to urge young people in the country not to see leadership as if it belongs to some people, but do everything positive to be part of it.

“You can only make a difference at the prime of your life. You can actually add value now, not when you are above 50. “So, you need to be part of the political process and play your part. It is your right to be there; nobody is doing you a favour. - Vanguard

Suicide Bomber Killed, Five IDPs Murdered In Borno

A lone suicide bomber was on Tuesday afternoon shot dead as he attempted to attack a military barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, a witness said.

The incident happened at about the time some internally displaced persons (IDPs) were busy burying five of their colleagues that were slaughtered by suspected Boko Haram insurgents around Nguro in Konduga Local Government Area.

Witnesses said the remains of the five locals, identified as IDPs, were on Monday found a day after suspected Boko Haram members attacked and beheaded them in Nguro village.

The victims were identified as residents of Balle Shuwari.

Balle Shuwari, located about 5km from Giwa barracks, was part of the communities sacked by Boko Haram.

The sack of the community led the victims to become displaced, thus living in the IDP camp in Konduga before the Sunday attack.

Wife of Femi Branch revealed why their marriage crashed. “Femi was once locked up in Kirikiri” (pics)

A couple of weeks back, the social media was agog that actor Femi Branch was set to wed for the third time after separating from Ibitola, the mother of his two children.

• Encomium.ng had an interview with the estranged wife on what led to their marriage break up.
• Apart from being beaten, her story of financial deprivation laced with humongous lies by her actor husband of ten years whom she accused of living a reckless life, sounds unimaginable.
• Ibitola Branch also told us about her husband’s incarceration in Kirikiri and abandonment for ten months.
• Here’s the mother of two children’s side of the marital mess…
• We heard that you and Femi Branch have called it quit. Is it true?
• Yes, it is
• What actually happened?
• I came back from work that day, and he went out as well. I waited till 11 pm and I didn’t see him. I tried calling him on phone when I didn’t see him. He complained that I was screaming, I apologized for screaming and I asked him for his whereabouts. I told him he wouldn’t have gone that long since he wasn’t on location. All he said was that he was coming, he also said I was screaming which I apologized for again. But Femi did not come back to the house till 1am. I was up waiting since he said he was coming. When he came, I went to open the gate and I told his friend that I wouldn’t come down that late again if he comes back late. I was really upset. I asked his friend to warn him because of another time. I added that he should be telling me if he would come home or not because that wasn’t his first time. The next thing Femi said was, “You dey craze.” And I replied the same way. He started bragging, “Do you know who you are talking to? I am Femi Branch,” and he descended on me and started beating me. He was hitting me hard and his friend was trying to stop him. He left me and went upstairs and told me to meet him upstairs. His friend said I shouldn’t go, but where will I go by that time? So I went upstairs. Femi continued beating me and insulting me. His friend tried to intervene again, all these while I never raised my hands against him. You can imagine him with his stature hitting me. His friend said I shouldn’t sleep in the house, so I followed him because he was also a married man with a kid. I slept in his house that night.
• What is the name of his friend?
• I wouldn’t want to drag him into this, it was a close friend of his.
• Would that be the first time he would be beating you?
  Truth is, that was the first time. But before then, he had pushed me hard against the bed that I almost hit my head on the wall. That was two years ago. Such things don’t happen without signs, him pushing me the first time and now beating me. It could develop into something else. I have always said I can’t stay in a marriage if the man is beating me, I know I can get killed if it continues. I have risked my life enough in that marriage so I decided to leave.
• What happened next after moving to his friend’s house?
• The second day, his younger brother asked me to come over to his own house as he wasn’t happy I was staying in a friend’s house. I moved there and was shuttling between that place and my sister’s house till I could get a place of my own.
• What were the signs that showed things were getting really bad?
• The issue is that we women see signs even before marriage. I would like to say that Femi came extremely late on our wedding day. People were already waiting for almost three hours before Femi came and he was not apologetic about it.
• What exactly happened?
• I don’t know, but it took him almost three hours before he showed up and he was not remorseful about it. Then, when I got married to him, he has only paid my daughter’s school fees for just one term. My daughter is nine years, that means I am the one who has been responsible for her upkeep.
• What was his excuse for not being responsible?
• He made me believe he does not have money. Later on, I heard he goes out and spends money anyhow. He goes to clubs, pops champagne and spends crazily. It was a regular occurrence, people used to call me that he was in one hotel or the other. There was this particular day someone called me that he was in a hotel spending money. That person knew Femi was not responsible at home. All I was trying to do was to patch the marriage and make sure things were fine. You know in the African setting when you are married, you have to endure. Up till this moment that I am talking to you, he doesn’t know how his children are eating or faring. The last time he saw them was January this year. He said they should spend the New Year with him and he returned them empty handed.
  Was there no time you called him to order?
  Several times, we spoke severally. He was always saying jobs were not coming, he doesn’t have money.
• Femi is a successful actor getting lead roles, so why was he irresponsible?
  It is unfortunate outsiders have a different picture of him. Femi is someone who can be in church speaking in tongues and the next minute he is out with the guys drinking, smoking and womanizing. He acts a lot. He is not the same person at home and outside.
• Are his parents and siblings aware of this?
• Funny enough, he has a very wonderful family. They knew about it and spoke with him severally. In fact, his family made me stay this long in the marriage. His family complained and talked to him, they did everything they could. It is only prayer that can change him, Femi lies a lot.
• Can you give me instances?
• He would tell me he has gone on location and he would lodge in a hotel, do whatever he likes. There was a time he was part of the crew following Jimi Agbaje during his campaign period. I was in Abeokuta then. After the whole exercise, everybody left the hotel except Femi. He was enjoying himself. One of his colleagues whom I had complained to called me to inform me that he was the only one left in the hotel. It is the same hotel he is indebted to now. He has a case at the Ikeja magistrate court. The story is true that he was locked up in Kirikiri. He is owing the hotel to the tune of millions.
• What steps did you take about this?
• I asked, spoke with him and he would always give excuses. It is what Femi wants that he will do. It took him eight months before he came home. When he was arrested, I was in Abeokuta and he was in Lagos. I traveled to Lagos that night to bail him out but I couldn’t bail him that night. That was in November 2015. I did all these for Femi but to him I have done nothing.
• Where exactly did you guys meet?
• We met in a church in Abeokuta.
• I thought you guys met in school. I should have said you should have noticed some of these traits in him?
  No, we never went to the same school.
• Which school did you attend?
• Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
• What about him, we learnt he graduated from Ife?
• I don’t know if he graduated or not. You can go to Ife and ask.
• But you were married for ten years, how come you don’t know?
• I told you Femi lies a lot. Ask him to produce his certificate. He has lied so much and he will continue to lie, that was what he told me.
• Is it true that he was married before he met you?
• Yes, he was married before we met. According to what I heard, the lady didn’t stay up to a month. I was told a funny story about it, I was told the mother-in-law was to collect cow leg and the lady left.
• Cow leg, how?
• I think they were to share a cow and she wanted a particular part of the cow. I don’t really know, that was what I was told. Maybe the lady noticed something else. If I have the opportunity to meet her I would ask her. My parents didn’t believe the story as well, we just let things be.
• Have you heard he wants to get married again?
• Yes, I have. I was just laughing, and I said, Wow, Femi has caught a big fish. According to what I heard, the lady is British. I said Femi has caught a big one.
• How would you say such a thing?
• Because I know Femi, he would only go to women who have money.
• That means he married you for your money?
• I am not saying that but before I married him, I do travel out a lot for leisure. When we got talking, he had the idea of the type of life l lived before meeting him. Maybe he felt I had money or that I had a British citizenship. I was even pregnant before we got married but the baby was still birth. Immediately it happened, I traveled abroad to rest. Good for the lady, I pray they find happiness together. But there must be more to why Femi wants to marry that lady. I am not granting this interview because I am bitter, I have moved on. I just want to clear my conscience because my family didn’t know what I went through for ten years. It was when I left last year that I told my family. People have called to blame me, some said I should go back to him.
• Has he filed for divorce?
• We are just separated, not divorced.
• How come he is getting married again?
• We had a white wedding and a traditional one.
• But you had a marriage certificate?
• Yes, we were given one but we are not divorced. We got married in a white garment church.
• Why did you leave your children in the first instance?
• When I left the house, my children were with my parents for holiday. When the holiday was over, I went to pick my children and took them back to our house. I told them to go upstairs that I was coming. I then turned my back and left. I did that not because I wanted to leave my children, but I wanted his family to be sure of all I had been saying,). I knew he can’t take care of those children. I was crying when I left and I prayed that I would get them back, it was not up to two weeks that Femi took the children to the village, to his parents. He did not drop money for their upkeep or anything, so his parents took them to public school and he never visited them for once in that four months they were there from April to July. I went there two times to check on them, I later called him that I wanted the children back. He said was l not the one who dumped them before? I told him I needed to make a statement that he couldn’t take care of his children that was why I left them in the first place. He eventually released the children. Arrangement was made, he picked them up and dropped them at his brother’s house and I picked them there.
• Was there no intervention from his siblings or parents to reconcile the two of you?
• When the incident happened, some of his elder brothers tried to call and I told them that I was no longer interested. Family members were trying to reconcile but the person that caused the trouble was not remorseful. He did not apologize for beating me, he didn’t say he was sorry. This was the same person that had an accident in 2012 on location. I was the only one taking care of him. You know marriages have their own challenges, I have stayed through thick and thin. I covered up for so long, my mum will always call me, Are you okay? Are you sure you are okay? I almost shut my mum up on his case. I have never done that in my life. My mum will always complain that I was always telling her he was on location, that it means he doesn’t have time for his family. But I always calm her down. His family tried but I have made up my mind about the marriage. I don’t think I can endure any longer. If Femi reads this, he knows that I am not lying. I was practically fending for the family throughout the ten years. Someone asked me, ‘Does it mean he has not done anything good for you in the last ten years?’ And I told the person the bad he did was far more than the good. I don’t want my daughter to go through what I went through in marriage, and I don’t want my son to be like his father.
• You left him in April and he’s getting married a year after, do you suspect they started dating before you left him?
• I don’t think so. I heard the church he attends now did the matchmaking.
• Did the church call to intervene in the case?
• No, they never did. No one knows what he told them about me. - National Encomium