NEWS BRIEFS

CALVINIA Two people, Mohamed Omar Abdi, 40, and Sakariya Ali Abdi, 42, appeared in the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court yesterday for illegal possession of abalone valued at approximately R1.8 million.

Hawks spokesperson, Nomthandazo Mnisi, said the two were arrested during a police operation.

“The duo was arrested last Friday in Calvinia during a search and seizure operation undertaken by Calvinia Vispol. Abalone valued at approximately R1.8 million was seized.

“Both suspects were remanded in custody and will appear in court again on August 20, 2018,” said Mnisi.

PROVINCE A municipal ward by-election will take place in the Northern Cape in the Siyancuma Municipality tomorrow.

The by-election in ward 4 of the Siyancuma Municipality will be contested by Mariana Erna Kitsher, an independent candidate; Steven Gallant of the ANC; Lemfvia Christiana van Niekerk of the DA; and Emily Nontozelilizwe Tshaka of the EFF.

The ward was previously represented by the DA and became vacant as a result of the termination of the councillor’s membership by the party.

The voter turnout for this ward in the 2016 municipal elections was 72.96% and the DA candidate won the ward with 45.04% of valid votes.

CAPE TOWN The Hawks in the Western Cape yesterday, said they arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly human trafficking.

Spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said the man was arrested over the weekend after a 21-year-old woman escaped.

“The victim alleges that she accompanied her friend who visited the suspect in Bellville in February 2018. After being introduced to the suspect, the friend left and never returned.”