Mali-Jihadists Make Gains

Mali Is ‘On Edge’ as Jihadists Make Gains Mali Islamic militants affiliated with the terrorist group al Qaeda are making significant gains in their attempt to seize the Malian capital of Bamako. Called Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, the militants have surrounded much of the city, already extracting taxes from residents of areas they control. They have pledged to inaugurate a harsh, orthodox version of their religion if they win control of the landlocked country in West Africa, reported France 24. “Bamako is on edge,” the French broadcaster said. Having cut its ties with France, the country’s former colonial power, as well as the Economic Community of West African States, the leaders of Mali’s military junta have sought help from Niger and Russia, who have sent fuel and soldiers to protect tanker convoys that JNIM militants attack, wrote Africanews. Russian influence is especially growing in the region, noted the Robert Lansing Institute. As a result, years after the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraqi forces reclaimed territory formerly held by the Islamic State in 2017, jihadists are on the brink of taking over Mali. JNIM’s fuel blockage strategy has proved particularly effective in showing the junta’s powerlessness to protect its people, contended the Soufan Center, a non-profit research organization. The fuel blockade has disrupted industry, closed schools, spiked prices, and led to long lines at the pumps. Mali has suffered military coups in 2012, 2020, and 2021. The last one four years ago that brought the current government to power occurred because coup leaders said the prior government was ineffective at dealing with the security situation. In July, Malian lawmakers gave Gen. Assimi Goïta a five-year presidential term. His term is renewable without elections, the BBC added. That broke another junta promise to return quickly to civilian rule. Instead, Goïta has sought to assert his authority, far and wide. He reached a deal, for instance, with Canada-based Barrick Mining over a dispute over a gold mine the Malian leader said was only benefiting the extraction company, Business Insider Africa reported. The company will pay Mali $430 million, while the company will be able to keep pulling the precious metal out of the ground. Goïta has launched Operation Fuka Kènè, “clearing” in the local Bambara language, to stop the JNIM militants, but its progress has been slow, according to the Africa Report. On Nov. 18, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the UN Security Council that, if Mali falls, “a disastrous domino effect” could unfurl across the region as other jihadist groups, for example in Niger and Burkina Faso, become more emboldened, the Atlantic Council noted. JNIM’s pressure in recent months appears to be taking its toll on the government. This summer, the junta arrested as many as 50 officers, including two generals, for destabilizing “institutions of the republic.” Goïta also blamed foreign interference: A French national caught in the roundup allegedly was working “on behalf of the French intelligence service” to destabilize the country. But analysts say the country is already deeply destabilized and will likely see more turmoil, particularly for Goïta, whose coalition of support is still strong but faltering. “These tensions are unfolding against a backdrop of growing isolation for the ruling figures in the military and continued setbacks against JNIM’s jihadists,” wrote World Politics Review. “Years after taking control in the 2020 coup, the junta has failed to fulfill its central promise of restoring security. Instead, the situation has only worsened, with JNIM gaining ground even in the country’s heretofore largely peaceful south, around Bamako. (With) a general deterioration in security and economic conditions, it is unclear how long the junta can maintain this popular support.”

Cape Town's 5 Most Beautiful Beaches

Where to swim: Cape Town’s top Blue Flag beaches this summer Looking for the ultimate Cape Town beach-cation this summer? Here are five top-rated Blue Flag beaches you have to visit in the city… By Sundeeka Mungroo 19-11-25 15:09 in Cape Town blue flag beaches cape town Camps Bay Beach. Image: canva Cape Town’s coastline is stacked with choices, but its Blue Flag beaches stand out for consistent water quality, safety, and environmental management. With the holiday season around the corner, these five spots are among the best places to swim, relax, and enjoy the city’s peak summer weather. Take a look… 1. Camps Bay Beach blue flag beaches cape town Camps Bay Beach. Image: canva Camps Bay remains one of Cape Town’s most photographed coastal stretches. The beach offers wide sands, lifeguards during peak hours, and easy access to restaurants and cafés along the strip. The Atlantic water is crisp, the sunsets are bold, and the mountain backdrop gives the beach its signature look. Expect crowds, but the space is generous enough to stretch out. 2. Clifton 4th Beach, Clifton, Cape Town Clifton Beach, Cape Town. Image: canva Clifton 4th is the jewel of the Clifton series and consistently earns Blue Flag status for its clean water and strong safety record. Sheltered from the wind by surrounding granite boulders, it’s one of the few Atlantic beaches where you can spend an entire afternoon without battling the south-easter. Pack light, though. The steps are steep. 3. Muizenberg Beach blue flag beaches cape town Muizenberg Beach. Image: canva On the False Bay side, Muizenberg offers warmer water and a laid-back surf culture. Known for its gentle waves and colourful beach huts, it remains Cape Town’s most accessible spot for beginner surfers. Lifeguards are visible throughout the season, and the long shoreline gives swimmers plenty of space. Families tend to stay here for good reason. 4. Llandudno Beach Aerial view of Llandudno Beach. Image: canva Llandudno doesn’t have commercial development, which is part of its draw. Tucked between mountain slopes and large boulders, the beach stays pristine and quiet even when busy. The water is cold, but the scenery makes up for it. Strong waves make it a favourite for bodyboarders and experienced surfers, with seasonal lifeguards keeping watch. 5. Bikini Beach, Gordon’s Bay, Cape Town blue flag beaches cape town Bikini Beach, Gordon’s Bay. Image: canva This small, protected beach often delivers some of the warmest summer water in the region. Bikini Beach faces west into False Bay, giving it calmer surf and a more intimate atmosphere than Cape Town’s larger beaches. It’s a reliable choice for wind-free afternoons. Why Blue Flag matters Blue Flag status is given to beaches that meet strict standards for cleanliness, safety, lifeguard presence, environmental education, and water quality, and this year, Cape Town was awarded eight flags! The program helps holidaymakers identify beaches that are monitored and well managed throughout the season. Cape Town continues to rank among South Africa’s top coastal destinations, and these five Blue Flag beaches are easy proof. Whether you want waves, warm water, or a scenic sunset spot, each of these shores offers something worth the trip.

African President Arrested in Military Coup

African president arrested in military coup as generals announce 'we have total control' By Allison Bloom, 23 hours ago Alfonso Ribeiro throws an annual Friendsgiving for the entire Dancing with the Stars cast and their dance partners, with attendees like Jenn Tran joining last year. Speaking to US Weekly, he explained, "We invite all of the Dancing With the Stars dancers that don't have homes to go to, that [don't have] family that live here. We have them over and say, 'Come on, let's all get together and share this wonderful holiday.'" A coup is actively transpiring in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Military officers appeared on television to say they have claimed "total control" of the country. Nov. 26th is a date that will go down in Guinea-Bissau's history books. The scene began this morning when shots were fired outside the Presidential Palace in Bissau, where the election commission headquarters are located. Hundreds of civilians fled as armed officers seized the government complex and detained President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. All borders have reportedly been closed. The takeover comes just three days after a highly contested presidential election. Key Virginia congressional races that could determine control of house 200 Kenyans recruited by Russia to fight on Ukraine frontlines Both Embaló, the incumbent, and opposition candidate Fernando Dias prematurely declared victory, raising fears of a repeat of the 2019 electoral crisis, when competing claims sent the country into four months of political chaos. A coup takes place in Guinea-Bissau on Nov. 26 Alfonso Ribeiro throws an annual Friendsgiving for the entire Dancing with the Stars cast and their dance partners, with attendees like Jenn Tran joining last year. Speaking to US Weekly, he explained, "We invite all of the Dancing With the Stars dancers that don't have homes to go to, that [don't have] family that live here. We have them over and say, 'Come on, let's all get together and share this wonderful holiday.'" Brigadier General Denis N'Canha spoke on national television on behalf of the military's high command, announcing their grievances and intentions. "The High Military Command for the reestablishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the President of the Republic, to suspend, until new orders, all institutions of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau," said N'Canha. He claimed the intervention was prompted by a destabilization plot orchestrated by "certain national politicians" and "well-known national and foreign drug barons" seeking to commit election fraud. He claimed that "domestic and foreign nationals" attempted to "manipulate electoral results to implement this plan." A soldier holds his weapon while patrolling a street near the scene of gunfire Alfonso Ribeiro throws an annual Friendsgiving for the entire Dancing with the Stars cast and their dance partners, with attendees like Jenn Tran joining last year. Speaking to US Weekly, he explained, "We invite all of the Dancing With the Stars dancers that don't have homes to go to, that [don't have] family that live here. We have them over and say, 'Come on, let's all get together and share this wonderful holiday.'" Guinea-Bissau has a long history of instability. The UN identified Guinea-Bissau as a "narco state" in 2008 because of its role in the global cocaine trade. Located between Senegal and Guinea, its geography has made it the perfect drop-off point for Colombian drug cartels. Additionally, according to the World Bank, the average yearly income in 2024 in the country of 2.2 million was just $963, making it one of the poorest nations in the world. Just days earlier, leading up to the election, political analyst Augusto Nansambe said that, "The democracy we knew ... is no longer the model we are experiencing; we are experiencing a model defined by a single person." This election was said to be one of the most contentious votes in recent history because of the exclusion of the main opposition party. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo

The Wild Tunnels Of Johannesburg

Post See new posts Conversation k9_reaper | T.I.A @k9_reaper I'll do one better.. Johannesburg has a massive underground tunnel network that the zama's have dug over the years. The Johannesburg CBD alone is one huge spiderweb of connected systems.. and some of these systems allow you to walk for km's without anyone ever seeing you. These networks are truly massive. And here's the fun part.. your rich Sandton/Fourways/Benmore/Hyde Park home isn't exempt - you will have tunnels at certain depths. Sorry for you. In some places, the tunnel networks are so advanced that separate rooms have been dug for sleeping, cooking and even firearm storage (yes.. the zama's book out firearms to the next guy who comes on shift). There are even tunnels that link directly to the old underground train and mail network in the Johannesburg CBD (again, yes.. the CBD has an underground rail and old mail network) - they've done this to facilitate easier movement. Even the old storm water drains that are big enough for a man to stand up and walk through have been accessed. On the West Rand - you can walk from one end to the other, underground. It's the same on the East Rand. And they have access to serious firepower - not forgetting literal mortars (yes.. pew pew tubes) and "heavy" machine guns. Some even run thermal scopes and have specialized squads who's sole purpose is to engage anyone that comes within a certain distance of their operations. Want to assault some of these places? Good luck. They also build fortified fighting positions - complete with multiple layers to fall back on. And they have an endless supply of manpower to back it. Not even children are exempt as they often use them to load the AK and other mags that they use - mid firefight. You will have a literal kid sitting their who's sole job is to punch 7.62x39 into magazines. South Africa will literally eat you alive. Never forget that. Quote Cecil @CeeCeeMcFee · 20h There is a vast network of tunnels underneath Johannesburg.. running in from Soweto and the dumps in the south, burrowing as far to the north as Delta park and the botanical gardens.. possibly even Sandton.. 1000s of kms of tunnels.. you have no idea how bad it really is.

BBC Boer Baiting

Boer-baiting at the BBC James Myburgh | 24 November 2025 James Myburgh on how the organisation's reporting on the Afrikaner question has breached its editorial guidelines. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has recently been plunged into a crisis following the leaking of a memorandum by the journalist Michael Prescott, who served as an independent advisor to the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines and Standards Board. The document, which was submitted to the BBC’s board, but seemingly disregarded, highlighted serial breaches of the BBC’s editorial guidelines – particularly when it came to reporting on Donald Trump, trans issues, and Israel-Palestine, particularly by the BBC’s Arabic service. An area which the memorandum did not deal with was the nature of BBC reporting on South Africa, particularly when it comes to the recent Expropriation Act, enacted earlier this year by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the question of violence against farmers under African National Congress (ANC) rule. Much of the BBC’s recent reporting and commentary has been in response to Trump’s typically wild and hyperbolic statements on these topics. And yet correctly noting that there is not a “genocide” in South Africa – an impossible yardstick given both the rarity and enormity of that evil – does not absolve the BBC of its obligation to: “establish the truth” on such fraught matters and: “use the highest reporting standards to provide coverage that is fair and accurate.” This should not be difficult to do as there is good data on farm attacks and farm murders stretching back to 1991, and a sophisticated debate on how to interpret it. In its factcheck of Trump’s Oval Office confrontation with Cyril Ramaphosa – where the United States President screened a video of hundreds of white crosses along a road symbolising the victims of farm murders – BBC Verify answered the question: “Has there been a genocide of white farmers?” by pointing to the fact that only 23 white people and nine black people were killed in attacks on farms and smallholdings last year. Inexplicably, however, BBC Verify failed to then go on and provide a full picture of the extent of such killings over the three decades of ANC rule. Here the data shows that during the ANC’s first decade in power about 1 300 people were killed, with two-to-three times that number injured, in over 7 000 attacks on farmsteads. Although the ANC regime blocked the release of a racial breakdown of the victims, we know from various sources that over three-quarters of those killed (about 1 000) were white, though many Coloured and Indian farmers were murdered as well. The attacks, usually by groups of armed youth, almost invariably involved an element of robbery or the looting of the property of the often-elderly deceased. If one wishes to apply a more appropriate yardstick than “genocide” one could compare these figures to the total number of Israeli civilians killed between 2000 and 2010 through the period of the Second Intifada (about 750 deaths); white civilians killed during the Rhodesian Bush War (about 500); or the number of civilians killed during the first decade of the troubles in Northern Ireland (about 1 500). The population of the commercial farming community at the time was small – probably fewer than 250 000 people – with the violence falling predominantly on those living and working on the land in the eastern half of the country. The peak of the violence against farmers was reached in the late 1990s and early 2000s with over 140 people being killed in around 1 000 farm attacks annually between 1998 and 2001, according to official police figures. Since then, the intensity of that violence has gradually diminished, and the numbers have recently fallen to the current lows highlighted by the BBC. Clearly, farmers came to be regarded as fair game for systemic robbery-murder-type as the ANC took over the country. If the BBC reported fairly and accurately on this topic – as required by its guidelines – it would have outlined that well-documented reality. Instead, its journalists go on air to deny that there exists any “problem about farmers being murdered.” The BBC’s coverage of the Afrikaner question has also breached its guidelines in more obvious ways, beyond the failure to include key historical context. In another article on whether there was a: “white genocide” in South Africa the BBC baldly declared – under the subtitle: “who are the Afrikaners” - that under apartheid the Afrikaner-led government had deliberately denied black people: “a decent education, with Afrikaner leader Hendrik Verwoerd infamously remarking in the 1950s that ‘blacks should never be shown the greener pastures of education. They should know their station in life is to be hewers of wood and drawers of water’.” The insertion of this seventy-year-old quote was clearly intended to cast the Afrikaner minority in an odious historical light. (Afrikaners have also been accused on air of having regarded black people as “subhuman.”) The gratuitous inclusion of material likely to ignite feelings of hate in this manner happens to be against the guidelines. More to the point: though a widely circulated internet meme, the quote itself is fraudulent. Its inclusion was thus against the guideline which requires that: “Fact must be distinguished from rumour, particularly—but by no means exclusively—on social media, where misinformation and disinformation may be deliberate.” Five months after publication it is still sitting uncorrected on the BBC news website, a contravention of another guideline which states that: “Serious factual errors should be acknowledged and mistakes corrected promptly, clearly and appropriately.” When it comes to the Expropriation Act BBC reporting has gone out of its way to minimise the dangers of the law, which provides government with a legal instrument to confiscate minority-owned property for submarket value compensation. Instead, the corporation’s journalists have suggested that it is necessary as: “the majority of South Africa’s farmland is currently owned by the white minority. The 2017 Land Audit says: Black people who make up over 80% of the population only own 4% of farmland held by individuals more than thirty years after the end of apartheid. So, the ANC’s idea with this bill is to help rebalance South Africa’s land.” This repeated presentation of the Land Audit’s figures as authoritative by the BBC is in clear breach of yet another guideline which states that: “statistics must be accurate and verified where necessary, with important caveats and limitations explained.” The obvious limitation of the Land Audit figures is that they refer only to: “individually owned” land, a form of land ownership which covers 30,4% of the extent of the country, most of which is in the semi-arid West of the country. The vast majority of black-owned agricultural land is state-owned or held communally through trusts. Three decades after the end of white rule in South Africa the great majority of land in the high rainfall eastern crescent of South Africa is today in black hands. If one includes communal, state, and company-owned land, and adjusts for land potential, the best current estimate is that black ownership of agricultural land is ten times what the BBC claims it to be. One could carry on with other examples of the egregious way in which BBC reporting on racially loaded questions in South Africa flouts these and other guidelines. Yet the BBC’s propaganda on such matters has been so pervasive and unrelenting – and successful in shaping perceptions of these topics – that it is unlikely to ever be effectively challenged. This article first appeared in The Common Sense. ….and of course, the colonialists had nothing whatsoever to do with the mess passed down through the generations. Sixpence!! Warm regards / groete Cliff photo

Is Norse Atlantic's Cape Topwn Route A Bargain Or Scheduling Nightmare?

Is Norse Atlantic’s Cape Town route a bargain or a scheduling nightmare? South Africans are used to airlines’ remarkable punctuality and dynamic customer service. Norse Atlantic is playing in a different league altogether… By SAPeople Staff Writer 22-11-25 11:35 in News Composite image of a man frustrated at an airport, along with visual of Norse Atlantic jet Images: Norse Atlantic UK via Wikipedia and Freepik Budget airline Norse Atlantic launched direct flights between London Gatwick and Cape Town in October 2024, offering fares from as little as £499 (R11,334) return. But one reader’s experience of not one but two major reschedules on a single trip raises questions about whether Norse’s rock-bottom prices come with hidden costs. When Norse Atlantic Airways touched down at Cape Town International Airport on 28 October 2024, it was hailed as a game changer. The Norwegian low-cost carrier was breaking the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic duopoly on the London to Cape Town route, flying from Gatwick rather than Heathrow three times a week. The promise was simple: modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners, comfortable seats, and prices that undercut the legacy carriers by hundreds of pounds. With return fares starting at £499 in economy and £1,199 in premium, Norse positioned itself as the people’s airline to South Africa. And by most accounts, the service itself has been solid. The inaugural flight was fully booked, passengers have praised the cabin comfort, and demand has been strong enough that Norse has already announced plans to expand the route to six flights weekly during peak 2025-2026 season. But when things go wrong on Norse Atlantic, they really go wrong Which brings us to our reader’s experience. They’ve asked to remain anonymous, but their story raises serious questions about Norse’s operational reliability. The family had booked flight Z0795 on Friday 17 October 2025 to attend a friend’s wedding in Cape Town. Then on 23 September, more than three weeks before departure, Norse rescheduled their flight to Thursday 16 October. With kids still at school, this wasn’t workable, so they opted for the next available day, Saturday 18 October. The inconvenience was significant. Car rentals had to be rebooked. Hotel reservations had to be changed. All at the customer’s expense, with no offer of compensation from Norse. Fast forward to 8 November at 14:45, less than 24 hours before departure. Another email lands: “We are sorry to inform you your flight is significantly delayed.” What followed was a cascade of schedule changes throughout the day. The flight that should have left on Sunday 9 November at 12:30 was eventually rescheduled to depart at 00:30 on 10 November, a full 12 hours later. In the end, the plane actually took off after 1am. Compensation? £10 Norse’s response? A generous offer of R250 (approximately £10) to cover extending the Airbnb (which wasn’t available for an extra night), extending the car rental (which they managed to arrange themselves), and expenses for an additional 12 hours in Cape Town with nowhere to stay. The family ended up checking in early, spending more than five hours milling about at the airport. The cherry on top? Their son missed his first day at a new job. “On the whole we loved the existence, cost, service, seats, booking process etc but the rescheduling was a nightmare, twice in one trip,” our reader wrote. “Were we unlucky or are things at Norse always this messy?” A pattern emerges It’s a fair question. And the evidence suggests this may not be an isolated incident. There’s a dedicated Facebook group called Norse Atlantic Complaints & Grievances with 7,300 followers, filled with similar stories of delays, cancellations, and poor communication. On Trustpilot, Norse Atlantic has a dismal 1.8-star rating, with complaints about flight delays and particularly about the airline’s customer service, or lack thereof, dominating the reviews. Norse doesn’t operate a phone line for customer service, relying instead on email and a chatbot named Odin. Multiple passengers report sending numerous emails about compensation claims only to be met with silence, sometimes for months. One analysis of Norse’s JFK to Rome route found a concerning 40% delay rate. Customer reviews consistently mention difficulties getting compensation even when they’re legally entitled to it under UK and EU regulations. The low-cost trade-off To be fair to Norse, operational hiccups aren’t uncommon for a relatively young airline. The company only launched commercial operations in June 2022, making it barely three years old. Growing pains are to be expected. And for many passengers, the experience has been positive. When flights run on time, the value proposition is compelling. You’re getting a direct flight to Cape Town on a modern aircraft for hundreds of pounds less than the competition. But the question is whether the savings are worth the risk. If you’re flying for a time-sensitive event like a wedding, a job interview, or to catch a connecting safari booking, can you afford to have your flight rescheduled not once but twice? Our reader made an interesting observation: “Perhaps South Africans measure their flight expectations and standards based on FlySafair!” It’s a tongue-in-cheek comment, but there’s truth to it. South Africans are used to FlySafair’s remarkable punctuality record and responsive customer service. Norse Atlantic is playing in a different league altogether. Norse stays silent We reached out to Norse Atlantic on Wednesday, 19 November, requesting comment on the rescheduling issues, compensation policies and myriad of customer service complaints. At the time of publishing, we’ve heard nothing back. The silence is, unfortunately, on brand. It’s the same complaint we hear again and again from passengers: when things go wrong, Norse goes quiet. Your turn Have you flown Norse Atlantic to Cape Town? Did your flight leave on time, or did you experience delays and rescheduling? Were you able to get compensation when things went wrong? We’d love to hear your experiences, good or bad. Email us your Norse Atlantic stories and let us know whether this budget option to South Africa is a genuine bargain or a gamble you’d rather not take. After all, cheap flights are not much of a bargain if they do not get you there, when you need to be there. 'SA People' is hiring! Freelance writer positions availabl

Eswatini Agrees To Take Deportees From The US

SA’s neighbour confirms getting R86 million from US in cash-for-criminals deal The funds were received under a secretive agreement struck with the Donald Trump administration. By Tebogo Tsape 21-11-25 07:48 in Africa President Tsai attends the double celebration of the 55th year of the Kingdom of Eswatini's independence and the 55th birthday of King Mswati III. (2023/09/07) This image accompanies an article about Eswatini's acceptance and housing of US deportees, receiving $5 million for it. King Mswati III. Image: Wang Yu Ching / Office of the President of Taiwan The Kingdom of Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, has finally confirmed that it accepted $5.1 million (R86.2 million) from the United States government as part of a controversial deal to house dangerous deportees. The revelation, coming after initial secrecy, has amplified regional security fears, with neighbouring South Africa deeply concerned about its exposed borders. The funds were received under a secretive agreement struck with the Donald Trump administration to accept migrants expelled under a third-country deportation programme. Although Eswatini originally agreed to take up to 160 deportees in exchange for the $5.1 million – money supposedly intended to “build its border and migration management capacity” – the arrangement has been fiercely condemned by local critics. The largest opposition party in Eswatini, Pudemo, branded the deal as “human trafficking disguised as a deportation deal”. Eswatini-US deal Eswatini’s Finance Minister, Neal Rijkenberg, confirmed receipt of the $5.1 million in the country’s parliament, noting that the ministry was kept in the dark throughout the process and only later told the funds were for the US deportees. The money was funnelled into the account of Eswatini’s disaster agency, NDMA, and still requires legal regularisation, according to reports. So far, the tiny kingdom has accepted 15 men in two batches (five in July and ten in October), though one Jamaican national has since been repatriated. The US Department of Homeland Security described some of these individuals, originating from Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Yemen, and Jamaica, as “depraved monsters”. Their convictions include severe crimes such as child rape and murder. Inmates in the ‘Jungle’ Prison These deportees are currently being held at the maximum-security Matsapha Correctional Centre, located outside the capital, Mbabane. The facility has long held a chilling reputation, routinely used to silence pro-democracy activists and political dissenters who oppose King Mswati III’s regime. Conditions inside Matsapha are notoriously poor, with former inmates describing life there as “like a jungle” and operating on a “survival of the fittest” principle. Credible reports from 2023 cite arbitrary or unlawful killings and torture within the system. Alarmingly, the US deportees are reportedly being held without charge or access to legal counsel, and were initially placed in solitary confinement. One Cuban national was reported to be on a hunger strike after being arbitrarily detained for over three months. The US deal did fund new infrastructure, however. New blocks constructed at Matsapha offer individual bathrooms and mounted televisions, a sharp contrast to the crowded dormitories of the older blocks. Yet, critics fear these new, tightly-controlled structures – which feature transparent walls for constant surveillance – may ultimately be used to house local political dissenters rather than just foreign criminals. South Africa’s Security Nightmare over Eswatini-US deal The decision by Eswatini to accept these high-risk individuals has sparked serious regional security concerns, particularly in South Africa, which entirely landlocks the kingdom except for a border with Mozambique. The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation has officially raised its anxieties, stating it is “deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals and the potential adverse impact on South Africa’s national security and immigration policy”. Given the porous nature of the border, there are palpable fears that if the deportees are not properly managed, these convicted criminals could easily cross into South Africa, posing significant risks to public safety and straining the country’s existing border management systems. As one veteran prison warden in Eswatini reportedly questioned: “If America couldn’t keep them, what can a mere Swaziland [Eswatini previous name] do?” 'SA People' is hiring! Freelance writer positions available. Send us your CV