Reports of satellite calls, explosion in Belthangady forest false: DK SP clarifies
Belthangady: Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Sonawane on Sunday said his department did not find any proof of satellite calls being made from the Bendrala Forest of Totattadi village here. The clarification from the police chief came in the wake of rumors that were doing rounds regarding satellite calls and a suspected explosion sound that people in the region heard on November 18.
“There were rumors of satellite calls having been made in the said forest area on November 18 and also of people hearing the sound of an explosion here. Dharmasthala Police investigated the matter but found no proof of anyone making such a call or a blast,” the SP said.
The SP also speculated that the explosion that the people heard could be from firecrackers that the residents use to scare elephants away.
"The locals use firecrackers given by the Forest Department to keep elephants away. Our investigation has led us to believe that the sound of an explosion that was heard must have been that of a firecracker like that." he added.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
