In Athlone an elderly woman was found dead and was last seen at around 10am on Friday morning. The 66-year-old's son found her bludgeoned to death upon coming home from Jumuah.
Ward councillor Shameema Dollie Salie says that Sultana was murdered at her home at the corner of Repulse and Johnstone Road, in Athlone. She was a businesswoman. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. The motive for this attack is now the subject of an investigation by the South African Police Service.
Funeral insurance scams in low-income communities are a sad reality. People in these communities are desperate for money and are taken advantage of by companies promising generous payouts.
According to reports, the insurance company or agent disappears after the policyholder passes away. These agents target the poor, who want to ensure a dignified send off for their loved ones.
- Research and verify the company
- Be wary of unsolicited offers
- Read the fine print
- Don't pay in cash
- Report suspicious activity
Tactics used by funeral insurance scammers:
- False advertising: Scammers create convincing advertisements, often using religious or cultural symbols, to lure victims into believing their policies are legitimate.
- Unlicensed agents: Scammers may pose as licensed insurance agents or use fake credentials to gain trust.
- Exaggerated benefits: Scammers promise unusually high payouts or additional benefits to entice victims.
- Low premiums: Scammers offer extremely low premiums to make the policy seem affordable and attractive.
- No paperwork: Scammers may not provide policy documents or receipts, making it difficult for victims to verify their coverage.
- Disappearing act: When a claim is made, the scammer disappears, leaving the victim with no recourse.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA says charges of animal cruelty will be laid against a pet owner from Grassy Park. The charges are for allegedly abusing their dog.
People in the area call the organisation requesting help for the small dog. The dog is kept cooped up in a metal drum while the children attend school. Inspector Werner Taljaard says he found the dog in a drum. Taaljaard says that the dog reached out to her.
Spokesperson of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Belinda Abraham, says parents should not get pets for their children if they are not able to spend time or expand the energy needed in caring for them.
The Grand Mufti of Oman says that the uprising of university students in the US and Europe in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza is a strong condemnation of the Israeli regime’s genocide in Gaza. According to abna24.com universities across the United States and Europe are having encampment protests by students. They are demanding divestment from the Israeli war machine.
The Israeli aggression has killed more than 34,000 people. These consist of mostly women and children. The 2.3 million people of the area have been displaced. Israe is carrying out the attacks while being politically, militarily, and financially backed by Western countries.
Columbia University's students at Hamilton Hall put up a message of "INTIFADA" and "STUDENT INTIFADA,". The Arabic word means uprising or rebellion, this usually get a strong reaction from the apartheid state of Israel. The Hall was also referenced as Hind Hall in memory of 6-year-old Hind Rajab. Her call to emergency services made interntional news. Twelve days after Hind Rajab went missing, Hind was found killed. Her body was lying in the car from which she’d made a desperate plea for help while trapped under Israeli fire.
