SA man arrested in US on DUI and felony charges amid immigration crackdown
According to ICE's official X (formerly Twitter) accounts, Gous faces multiple charges, including: Driving under the influence (DUI)
Using a weapon to commit a felony
Making terroristic threats
Authorities revealed that Gous has a history of similar criminal activity, with multiple prior arrests.
He is currently being held in ICE custody, where he will remain pending immigration proceedings that may lead to deportation to South Africa.
'This arrest is part of a continued effort to remove individuals who pose a threat to public safety,' ICE stated in a post on X.
Gous's arrest underscores an ongoing trend of tighter immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly targeting individuals with criminal histories.
Legal experts warn that foreign nationals with criminal charges in the US may face increasing scrutiny and risk swift removal, especially under growing political pressure to reform immigration policies.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
7 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
FSCA cleared to go global and pursue R50m fine for Viceroy over Capitec report
Following a high court ruling, South Africa's market cop has grown a new set of teeth that can pierce across borders. In a landmark ruling on 9 July, the Pretoria High Court handed the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) a powerful new weapon: the ability to fine foreign entities that mess with South Africa's markets, even if they've never set foot in the country. The FSCA said that it considers this a significant legal victory and believes that it is an 'essential part of protection of the public in an interconnected, digital global financial environment'. For the likes of Viceroy Research, which became a household name in 2018 after detonating a bomb under Capitec with a dodgy research report, the rules of the game have changed. The next time a hedge fund hit squad fancies nuking a JSE-listed stock with dubious 'research', they might want to budget for a fight in a South African court. How to burn R9.3-billion before lunch In January 2018, Viceroy lit a match in the form of a report titled Capitec: A wolf in sheep's clothing. The report accused the bank of 'predatory lending practices', pushing clients into debt spirals and called for an immediate curatorship by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The report went on to claim that Capitec had to write off more than 42% of the gross collectible principle due to it in the 2017 financial year, even suggesting the loan book was an 'irreconciliable R3-billion'. Twitter went feral, media outlets amplified the claims, and by closing bell, Capitec's price share had plummeted 23%, erasing R9.345-million in market value, according to a FSCA newsletter sent out in September 2021. The SARB scrambled to calm markets, assuring everyone that Capitec was solvent, capitalised and had adequate liquidity. The stock might have bounced back, but the reputational shrapnel lingered. The FSCA later warned that Viceroy's falsehoods 'posed a clear and present threat to the stability of the South African financial system'. Capitec told Daily Maverick that the bank has 'consistently maintained the 2018 report was misleading and caused unwarranted harm'. A calculated hit and a big payday The watchdog eventually pieced together that Viceroy was executing a targeted hit. A transcript of a hearing held by the Financial Services Tribunal (FST) in October 2022, reveals that Viceroy had a deal with a hedge fund, Oasis. It would $100,000 a month for tailor-made hit pieces plus 12.5% of the profits from short positions. Oasis banked an estimated R82-million, and Viceroy's cut was estimated by the FSCA to be close to $744,482 (R10-million at the time). All while ignoring legal obligations to correct falsehoods under the Financial Services Act. Dodging the net The FSCA initially slapped Viceroy with a R50-million fine for breaching Section 81 of the Financial Markets Act, which bans false or misleading statements about listed securities. FSCA commissioner Unathi Kamlana hoped the penalty would be 'a deterrent to those hoping to make a quick buck by peddling false information'. Viceroy cried foul, basically saying, 'You can't touch us, we're not in South Africa'. Shockingly, the Financial Services Tribunal largely agreed. The tribunal admitted that Viceroy's actions 'had an effect' on South Africa. But under common law, they said, you need to serve a foreigner in person while they're in the country to establish jurisdiction. The fine was set aside and the case was closed. Or so Viceroy thought. Closing the loophole The FSCA fought back and launched an application to review the decision to scrap Viceroy's fine. The Pretoria High Court ruled on 9 July 2025 that clinging to an area of physical service would 'hamper and frustrate the effective regulation of financial activity that takes place extra-territorial and digitally'. Citing section 173 of the Constitution, the court developed the common law. The FSCA can fine a foreigner if: Notice is delivered by any means (including electronically); and The conduct's link to South Africa is 'sufficiently close'. 'The court remitted the reconsideration application brought by Viceroy Research and partners back to the Financial Services Tribunal, so that a decision can be made on the merits,' the FSCA said. The case is not yet closed, but the R50-million penalty is back on the table. The FSCA remains confident that it made a clear and compelling case against Viceroy. 'The public can take confidence from the fact that the FSCA will not shy away from taking appropriate action to protect its investigation and enforcement powers to ensure appropriate investor protection and the integrity of financial markets,' it said. DM
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Over 200 South Africans ensnared in Thailand's human trafficking crisis
A large group of South Africans is stuck in Thailand after being rescued from illegal scamming compounds in Myanmar, because they do not have the money to buy plane tickets back home. A counter-human Trafficking NGO Brave To Love, is raising funds to repatriate victims back home. Image: Pixabay Close to 200 South Africans are stranded in Thailand, having fallen victim to a human trafficking scheme. They were lured by promises of well-paying jobs advertised through social media and word-of-mouth. This operation is allegedly orchestrated by a Chinese mafia network. The scams target young South Africans fluent in English, computer literate, and qualified in marketing or IT. They are promised good salaries, free accommodation, and comprehensive travel expenses. Once they accept the offer, they receive a one-way ticket to Thailand before being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work in illegal online scamming compounds run by the mafia. Emma van der Walt, founder and chief executive of Brave to Love SA, a counter-human trafficking NGO, stated that her organisation worked alongside the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Hawks, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Home Affairs & Immigration Services, and Interpol to bring back the human trafficking victims. The South Africans stuck in Thailand were rescued from Myanmar, at the same time as the group of 23 human trafficking victims, repatriated to the country in March 2025. However, the large group remains in Southeast Asia because they don't have the means to purchase plane tickets. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading They were subjected to brutal treatment, including intimidation, physical torture, and forced labour, working for 16 hours a day. They were also compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals worldwide. They were frequently beaten or tortured if they refused. They survived on spoiled food and contaminated water without access to medical treatment. In March, the South African government said a ransom of approximately R50,000 was demanded for their release. A large group of South Africans is stuck in Thailand after being rescued from illegal scamming compounds in Myanmar, because they do not have the money to buy plane tickets back home. A counter-human Trafficking NGO Brave To Love, is raising funds to repatriate victims back home. Pictured is International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. Image: GCIS The online scams where South Africans were forced to work are also known as 'pig butchering scams,' in which victims are cultivated online and eventually fleeced of their assets. Van der Walt, in choosing the first 23, Brave To Love prioritised the most vulnerable individuals in the group, and was followed by three more for whom the organisation managed to raise plane tickets. To date, 26 South African victims who were trafficked to the illegal scamming compounds bordering Thailand and Myanmar have been safely repatriated. She described this as one of the most complex international rescue operations that Brave to Love has successfully assisted in to date. 'Recruiters continue to lure vulnerable young people from South Africa with promises of remote work, marketing roles, or IT positions; only for them to end up enslaved by organised criminal syndicates. 'These operations are well-coordinated and run by transnational networks. They prey on economic desperation and false hope. The need for awareness, prevention, and international cooperation has never been more urgent,' van der Walt said. She said this is a growing crisis. 'Despite these rescues, we are gravely concerned. We estimate that over 200 South Africans remain trapped in similar scamming compounds across Myanmar.' Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group and remains committed to the rescue and restoration of every South African still trapped abroad. 'Recruiters continue to lure vulnerable young people from South Africa with promises of remote work, marketing roles, or IT positions; only for them to end up enslaved by organised criminal syndicates. 'These operations are well-coordinated and run by transnational networks. They prey on economic desperation and false hope. The need for awareness, prevention, and international cooperation has never been more urgent,' van der Walt said. She said this is a growing crisis. 'Despite these rescues, we are gravely concerned. We estimate that over 200 South Africans remain trapped in similar scamming compounds across Myanmar.' Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group and remains committed to the rescue and restoration of every South African still trapped abroad. Clayson Manyela, Head of Public Diplomacy at Dirco, previously explained that consular assistance offered by the government through embassies is non-financial. He stated that financial matters are covered by individuals travelling or their families, and that the government only gets involved when individuals are destitute and literally have nothing. Monyela stated that South Africans planning to travel to any country, for leisure, business, studies, or work, should get travel insurance. He added that it helps when one runs out of money and needs to travel back. He urged South Africans to find the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate in the country they are going to, and share their details with them. It helps Dirco to locate them and offer consular assistance when they are in distress. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Zimbabwean national arrested for illegal possession of medication
Police in Barberton, Mpumalanga, arrested a 32-year-old Zimbabwean national on Friday, 18 July, during a coordinated sting operation targeting criminal networks. The Zimbabwean national suspect was found in possession of explosives, gold-bearing rocks, and a large quantity of cough medication. The operation began around 5:00 and was carried out by a joint team comprising the Mpumalanga Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, White River K9 Unit, and Hi-Tech Security Company. Furthermore, officers acted on reliable intelligence indicating illegal drug activity at the suspect's residence. The team then thoroughly searched, uncovering 89 electronic detonators, 49 superpower blasting cartridges, a six-metre detonating cord, four safety fuses, and nine boxes of cough medication. Authorities also discovered gold-bearing material and two portable scales, raising suspicions that the Zimbabwean national suspect may have been supplying resources to illegal mining operations in the area. Police subsequently charged him with unlawful possession of explosives, illegal possession of gold-bearing material, and illegal possession of medication. The Zimbabwean national suspect will appear in the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday, 21 July. In response to public criticism of law enforcement efforts in the area, police leadership emphasised their commitment to tackling crime. 'This operation underscores our commitment to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of our communities,' said Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi. '[The] Barberton area has been our concern, and we made a promise to deal with the situation. So far, our continuous operations are yielding positive results,' Mkhwanazi added. He encouraged community members to remain alert and report suspicious activities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
