World News

General election: Early voting begins in South Africa

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South Africa’s general election witnessed early turnout on Monday as those who must work on polling day or who have special needs were given a chance to cast their ballots.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, around 1.6 million, out of the 27.6 million-strong electorate, were allowed to go early.

Election agents will visit 624,000 people with mobility issues at home, while essential workers will attend polling stations two days earlier than the general populace.

The rest of the country will on Wednesday be called to vote in South Africa’s sixth general election, 30 years after the coming of democracy in 1994.

The vote could prove a historic turning point if, as opinion polls predict, the ruling African National Congress, ANC, loses its absolute parliamentary majority for the first time.

World News

South Africa to auction seized superyacht belonging to Equatorial Guinea vice-president

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A court in South Africa has ordered the auction of a superyacht and two choice properties belonging to Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue as payment for a botched airline deal that resulted in the illegal arrest and torture of a South African businessman.

Mr Obiang is the son of President Teodoro Obiang who has been in power for the past 43 years and is most likely to succeed his father.

Daniel Janse van Rensburg, a South African businessman, said he was illegally arrested and tortured in a Guinea prison for two years on Mr Obiang’s order despite several pleas over the failed contract.

Mr Rensburg said he was contracted by Gabriel Angabi, the then-mayor of the capital city of Equatorial Guinea, to build a private airline over a decade ago.

After working on the deal for two years, the mayor cancelled the project and asked for a refund.

The mayor conspired with Mr Obiang, then-security minister, to jail the South African in Guinea’s most notorious prison. “And that is when he phoned Teodorin junior. He was, at that time, the minister of security and in charge of the jail. So, he got authorisation from him to put me into Black Beach,” Mr Rensburg said.

Mr Rensburg was illegally detained in the gulag for almost two years and tortured. The South African businessman blamed his imprisonment on the Equatorial Guinean vice-president, not Mr Angabi.

“Because he was responsible for having me put into jail and keeping me there as well,” Mr Rensburg explained.

“You know we have documentation from the South African embassy in Malabo to prove this, that they asked him a few times to speak to him, to ask him to look at this and to set me free, and he always kept on refusing.”

The South African explained that he could only secure his release from the prison with the assistance of a fellow inmate’s lawyer.

The Equatorial Guinea government had yet to comment on the ruling.

Lifestyle, World News

Five Nigerian nationals arrested with drugs in South Africa

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Five Nigerian nationals have been arrested for possession of drugs in Pretoria, South Africa.

The suspects were arrested by Tshwane Metro Police Drug Unit members in Garsfontein on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

The police in a statement on Wednesday, said the drugs found in their possession have an estimated street value of close to half a million Rand.

“The TMPD members responded to a tip-off on Tuesday 8 November 2022 about a white Suzuki swift vehicle that was delivering drugs at Atterbury road,” the statement read.

“The officers traced the suspect to his residence at a complex, inside his unit they found 4 suspects busy packaging heroine (nyaope) and crystal meth.

“They were all arrested for dealing and possession of drugs. The drugs found has an estimated street value of close to half a million Rand. Well done team.”

World News

Baby girl found dumped in South Africa with note from mother saying: “Help her if you can but don’t judge me”

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A baby girl believed to be about three months old has been found abandoned in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa, along with a note written by the mother.

According to a statement released by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on Monday, October 3, 2022, the baby was discovered by a man who was picking mangoes at the base of an embankment next to a stream in Dawncrest.

A bag containing nappies, a bottle of milk a pacifier, was found lying next to the baby.

The note said that she made contact with social workers twice with no luck. The mother also stated that abortion was not an option as it is no longer safe and hospitals have strict rules.

She further requested that authorities be notified when the baby is located.

“Hi, you might be wondering why I dumped my baby, don’t wonder, just help her if you can or call authorities but don’t judge me. I have spoken twice with social workers. They are delaying to assist. I know this looks bad but I had no option. The system is fragile and we can’t even abort safely anymore. Hospitals have strict rules.” the note read.

On arrival, Reaction Officers were pointed out the location of the discovery and handed over the child and the bag.

A female Officer and Medics were called to the scene and the child’s soaked diaper was changed.

The baby girl was then fed with a bottle of milk. Medics examined the infant aged approx three (3) months and found her to be in good health.

A criminal case of Child Abandonment will be registered & Reaction Officers will be seeking assistance to identify the child or mother.

Lifestyle, World News

Decomposed body of missing South African woman found under bed of neighbour who helped search for her

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The decomposed body of a South African woman, was found under the bed of her neighbour who had been helping search for her.

33-year-old Annelise van Rooyen, had been missing since April 24, 2022 in Cape Town and was found on September 19.

The suspect, Jaun-Paul van der Westhuizen, 32, allegedly misled the family by saying he saw her in different places.

The decomposing body of the victim was found when the accused’s brother was looking for stolen items. For about five months the man allegedly attributed the sickening stench that his family and friends complained about to dead rats that he was struggling to find.

While speaking to cops, Van der Westhuizen allegedly incriminated his friends Florenzo Steyn, 31, and Marshall Baartman, 27.

They all appeared on a murder charge in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

The prosecutor read the docket in court: “The deceased went missing in April, and she was found on 19 September.

Her body was under the bed of accused number one. It was decomposed. Accused number one made an admission to the captain that the deceased went to his home with accused two and three to smoke.

He wanted to have sex with the deceased who tried to run; they strangled her and then put her under the bed.

The State has indicated that they are opposing bail for all accused. The victim’s mom, Marlene, 53, says:

“This man has been coming to home, I treated him like a son. He helped us with the search and he would come and tell me that he saw Annie in Wynberg and other places and all along he knew what he did The heartbroken mom says her daughter was last seen walking to a nearby shop.

“We had been everywhere looking for her and then on Monday when Jaun-Paul’s brother was looking for stolen items in his bungalow he found the body and called people,” she explains.

“We knew it was her because of the top she wore the last time I saw her. I picked her clothes that morning.

She was not wearing the tights and shoes she had on.” Marlene also tells the Daily Voice that her daughter was mentally challenged.

“She had a mind of a child, if you complimented her top, she would have taken it off.

Jaun-Paul took advantage of that and took her away from her 16-year-old son.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg had confirmed that cops are investigating a murder case.

Lifestyle

Five pupils killed as truck ploughs into school in South Africa

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Five pupils from Vyfhoek Primary School died after a truck ploughed into their school in Potchefstroom, South Africa. The incident happened at around 2pm on Thursday, August 18.

Spokesperson of the North West Department of Education, Elias Malindi, confirmed the incident on Friday.

“The mini truck is reported to have been traveling from Potchefstroom towards Johannesburg. It capsized after a front tyre burst and the driver lost control of the vehicle,” said Malindi.

“The truck went through the school fence, hitting four pupils and killing them on the spot. Another pupil died in an ambulance at the scene while paramedics were attending to her injuries.” Four other pupils were injured and are being treated in hospital.

Malindi said at the time of the incident, the school had closed for the day and pupils were waiting for transport within the school premises.

North West education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela said: “This is the most devastating news to share. Losing five pupils in this manner is not easy to accept, as a parent and as a caretaker to the pupils.

“We plead with the public to treat the matter with sensitivity as parents are trying to come to terms with their loss.” She conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families, the school and extended well wishes to the pupils in hospital.

Lifestyle

Police declare man wanted for brutal murder of 23-year-old final year student in South Africa

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Police in South Africa have declared one Bongani Sanele Mlambo, wanted for the brutal murder of a 23-year-old student, Xolile Mbatha.

The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) student died after being stabbed by the suspect, who is said to be her boyfriend, in her Ark Royal residence bathroom in Durban.

Mbatha was stabbed multiple times over a dispute. It is alleged that the suspect fled the scene immediately after the brutal attack.

Mbatha, who hailed from the rural town of Umsinga, was a final-year electrical engineering student. Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, in a statement on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, appealed to anyone who have useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspect to contact the investigating officer.

“On 31 July 2022 at 07:30, Point police were called to a student residence at Mahatma Gandhi Road where a 23-year-old woman was stabbed.

Upon arrival at the scene, police found the body of a woman with multiple stab wounds on the body. She was certified dead at the scene. The victim was identified as Xolile thoko Mbatha.

A case of murder was opened at Point SAPS,” the statement read. “A warrant of arrest has been issued for Bongani Sanele Mlambo (28). His current whereabouts are unknown.

We appeal to anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of the wanted suspect attached in the picture to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Xulu on 031 367 4012/ 082 720 9592 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via MySAPS App.”

MUT acting vice-chancellor and principal Professor Marcus Ramogale appealed to staff, students and the public to co-operate with the police and to come forward if they have any information that could help in the investigation.

World News

45 dead, hundreds missing as floods wreak havoc in South Africa

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At least 45 people have been confirmed dead with hundreds missing as several homes collapse due to overnight floods caused by heavy rain in the South Africa coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The South African emergency service said in a statement on Tuesday, rescue workers were searching for missing people but the task has been difficult due to destruction of roads by mudslides.

“Some people in the city managed to climb up to their rooftops awaiting rescue, but local media report that only one helicopter was available to lift people away as key roads across the city were shut,” the agency said.

The mayor of eThekwini, an area including Durban and its surrounding towns, Mxolisi Kaunda, in a message of solidarity, apologised to residents who were left stranded after the emergency call centre was overwhelmed overnight.

Kaunda said efforts were underway to restore water and electricity supplies to parts of the city, after most of the city’s electricity power stations were flooded on Monday evening and a number of water treatment plants damaged.

“Residents who fear their homes may collapse should seek shelter in community halls,” the Mayor stated.

Lifestyle

Man celebrates as he gains admission into university at age 30

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A South African man, Esethu Hasane has taken to social media to celebrate gaining admission into the university at the age of 30.

The young man shared his story on microblogging platform, Twitter to inspire people and let them know that no time is too late for one to achieve their goals and aspiration.

Esethu shared a photo of his school ID card which showed that he is studying at WITS University in South Africa.

Social media users flooded his timeline to congratulate him and affirm on how his life story should be a source of inspiration to others who wish to surmount challenges.

Some even went ahead to share their own personal experiences similar to that of Esethu.

@FikileMlisana said; Went for my undergrad at 36, am still to complete, I will!

@jexxica_m; I decided to do this today …I’m 22 and I almost went into depression because I am only doing my last year and not honors.

@Afrixion; Turned 30 8 days ago and I’m 3rd LLB student.

@NomfundoMagadl2; I’m enrolling for undergrad LLB qualification this year at 35 so there’s absolutely nothing wrong

World News

Suspect in South Africa’s Parliament fire appears in court

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South African police on Tuesday arraigned a man arrested in connection with the fire incident at the country’s parliament building, Zandile Christmas Mafe.

He was arraigned on a four- count charge of arson, theft, house breaking and contravention of the National Key Points Acts at a Magistrates Court in Cape Town.

The suspect was arrested on the premises of the Parliament complex by police after they noticed the fire on Sunday.

The fire destroyed South Africa’s main Parliament chamber, offices and other buildings nearby from Sunday morning and flared up again on Monday when winds picked up and burnt through other offices before firefighters managed to put it out by midnight.

The South African National Prosecuting Authority spokesman, Eric Ntabazalila, told journalists outside the court that Mafe was also found with an explosive device but didn’t give further details.

The Spokesman for the police Hawks Special Investigative Unit, Nomthandazo Mbambo, said the force would not rule out more arrests on the incident.

He said: “We are going to be conducting a full investigation and we think there may be other people involved but at this stage, the focus is on this one until the investigation can dictate otherwise.”

Lifestyle

South Africa considers new law that will allow women marry more than one husband

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South Africa is considering a new law that will allow women marry more than one husband, in the same way that polygamous men are allowed to marry more than one wife.

The Department of Home Affairs which proposed the law in a 67-page policy document also called Green Paper on Marriages, stated that the current marriage act does not promote equality.

The policy document highlighted that the current marriage legislation is discriminatory as it does not recognise Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Rastafarian marriages. The policy document also called for polyandry to be legally recognised as a form of marriage.

The Green Paper proposed three new marriage regimes to bring equality in marriage laws. One of these options is a gender-neutral marriage regime.

It read; “This would accommodate both polygyny and polyandry

“…Therefore all marriages, whether monogamous or polygamous, could be concluded regardless of the sex or sexual orientation of the person.”

South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs appears to favour the option for a gender-neutral marriage regime that allows both polyandry and polygyny.

The Ministry wrote; “The political appetite of the country to confront the challenges of the current marriage statute will be tested through these options. However, if Section 9 of the Constitution was to be implemented in its entirety, option 3 will tick all the boxes.”

The Ministry however noted that the option for polyandry has ruffled feathers and South Africa’s traditional leaders have vociferously opposed the proposal, claiming that a woman being married to more than one husband is an “unacceptable practise because it is not of African origin.”

It added; “Ironically, stakeholders who believed in the practice of polygamy … were opposed to the practice of polyandry.

“This is the beginning of a crucial public discourse that will re-define the concept of marriage in South Africa.

“The process will unearth issues that may make some of us uncomfortable, but will encourage dialogue within the South African and international communities.”

South Africans have until the end of June to comment on the department’s proposals.

World News

Court says French firm must face graft charges in S’Africa in case involving ex-president Zuma

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A court has ruled that French arms supplier Thales will have to face charges in South Africa over allegedly corrupt payments made to embattled former President Jacob Zuma.

The Times Live website in a report on Saturday said that the order was issued by Judge Alsa Bezuidenhout who ruled that there was reasonable and probable cause to believe that Thales had “directly or indirectly or with common purpose, participated in the enterprise run by Mr Schabir Shaik through a pattern of racketeering activity”.

In its reply, Thales South Africa, denied the allegations, adding that it had “noted” the high court’s decision and was “studying the judgement to consider its legal options”.

This came weeks after Zuma failed in an attempt to have a judge recuse himself from the inquiry into alleged corruption during his presidency.

Judge Raymond Zondo had ruled that claims that he was biased against Mr Zuma had not been made. He also denied being “friends” with the former president.

Politics

WE NEED A REVOLUTION.

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We are Africans, our forefathers suffered greatly under the authority of the colonial masters. They fought for our independence and got it by sacrificing their existence. As Africans, we have one thing in common which is the history of our struggle throughout the years of slavery.

We are Africans but some choose to be outcast. Africans attacking one another and segregating against nationalities is not the best option. Over the years, we have learnt about the struggles of the nation, South Africa. We grew up to respect Nelson Mandela and loved him for the good values he preached. Late Nelson Mandela must be very dissapointed to see the same people whose freedom he suffered for, now attacking Nigerians and other Africans, forgetting the support rendered to them during their years of apartheid. We ought to say no to xenophobia and see one another as a race, the African race!

People ran for their lives from the northern parts of Nigeria because of the insurgency. Even in South Africa , Nigerians who are there to seek greener pastures also got attacked . When will this end? Is our government still sleeping? When will Nigeria get better? We need to fix Nigeria!

Map of Nigeria.

War outside, war inside…when exactly are we going to enjoy steady peace in Nigeria? We need a reliable structure , a system which will enable Nigerians to thrive. We can’t always take our ideas abroad and get punished for it just like the recent killings of Nigerians in South Africa. We definitely need a revolution, this is the solution. Nigeria has to be better, this is the greatest assurance we can have as citizens.

It can be recalled from history that Nigerians had been of great help to South Africans during their years of apartheid. As written and cited by ANA-CAJ , apartheid is one dark era in the history of South Africa. Nigeria was the first country to provide direct financial aid to the now ruling African National Congress ( ANC) from the 1960s while in the 1970s, Nigeria supported the ANC and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) with an annual contribution of $5 million to help them in the struggle.

Map of Africa.

Nigeria set up a program to cater specifically for the South Africans’ educational needs and general welfare through the Southern African Relief Fund (SAFR) under the administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo , who contributed $3.7 million. Nigerian’s civil servants were also made to give 2 percent of their income to the fund, then known as “Mandela tax”. According to SAFR , 86 South African students were educated in Nigeria for free. How then could South Africans forget all these and settle for violence?

Nigerians attacking Nigerians, South African attacking Nigerians, Africans attacking one another…when will there be an end to this violence? Our leaders are sitting in their offices while the citizens are busy killing one another. How long will it take before we snap out of this mental slavery? When will we become wise and realise that violence is never the solution? The solution we ought to seek is a revolution . Remember that quote stated by Mahatama Ghandi, “An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind”.

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