Questions were asked on Tuesday about police planning before
the shooting that left 34 striking miners dead in Marikana. Human Rights
Commission lawyer Nokukhanya Jele cross-examined public order policing expert
Brigadier Zephania Mkhwanazi, during hearings in Rustenburg by the Farlam
Commission of Inquiry into the events at Marikana on August 16 last year. Jele
put it to him that on that day there were about 170 public order police and
more than 3000 striking Lonmin miners on the site. In Limpopo and in Gauteng
there were a total of 1314 public order police who were not called in to help.
Instead, other less specialised officers were called in to help, some from much
further away.
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Questions asked over Marikana crowd control
Swaziland Senate President tells journalists to f*** off!
Swaziland’s Senate President, Gelane Zwane, has insulted
journalists who turned up at meeting to which they were invited. After the
clerk of parliament, Ndvuna Dlamini, told the president that he wanted to say
something but couldn’t as the media were present, Zwane lost his cool and told
the journalists in the SiSwati language to “f*** off”. The Swaziland chapter of
the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Swaziland) has repeatedly spoken
out against this kind of treatment of the country's journalists.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301212189.html
Zimbabwe: Mugabe and Tsvangirai in 'constitution deal'
Zimbabwe’s rival political leaders say they have reached an
agreement over a new constitution which removes a key obstacle in the process
by which elections are held. President Mugabe announced that he was “glad” a
deal had been reached, while Prime Minister Tsvangirai stated that “a long
journey” had ended. The prime minister had set the adoption of a constitution
as a condition for polls due later this year. Details of the deal have not been
made public, but it is understood that the powers of the president have been
curbed - a key demand of the MDC.
Farmworkers’ strike set to continue
The recent farmworkers’ strike over higher daily wages has
been given encouragement by the Building and Allied Workers Union of SA
(Bawusa), after the organisation told workers that a return to work may ruin
any chances of farmers caving into their R150 wage demand. The union announced
last week it that it was planning to march to the De Doorns police station on
Thursday 24 January to call for a strike without violence on both sides. The
general treatment of farmers has also come under scrutiny of late, and the South
African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating over 20 complaints of
brutality against farmworkers by police, farmers, and private security.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301211735.html
Zimbabwean repression of dissent continues
A leading human rights activist
in Zimbabwe was denied bail on Wednesday 16 January following his arrest, as
part of what Amnesty International said is an ongoing crackdown on freedom of
expression in the country ahead of this year's elections. Okay Machisa, who was
remanded in custody until 30 January, is the director of the Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association. He was arrested on Monday 14 January in the capital,
Harare, and charged with publishing falsehoods, fraud and forgery after
allegedly conducting illegal voter registration. Another official from the same
organisation, Leo Chamahwinya, was also arrested recently and faces the same
charges.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301170490.html
Zambian opposition leader nearly arrested during court session
Zambian police officers
interrupted a court session on 15 January to arrest opposition leader Hakainde
Hichilema, only for the magistrate to and his defence lawyers to ask them to
leave on the grounds that it is unlawful to arrest someone in the middle of a
court session. Hichilema was then asked to report to the police station for
questioning. Hichilema is being tried for alleging that the PF government was
training its youths in military warfare with the help of the Sudanese militia
in Darfur. Civil society groups have condemned the actions by the police.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301161380.html
Zimbabwean VP dies
The Vice President of Zimbabwe
John Nkomo has died at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301171142.html
Zuma on state visit to Angola
Jacob Zuma arrived in Angola on
Wednesday 16 January for a state visit with the objective of reviewing progress
in various areas of cooperation between the countries. Angola is one of South
Africa's major trading partners on the continent, with almost 90% of Angola
exports to South Africa made up of are petroleum related products.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301170760.html
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Kenyan MPs vote themselves $100,000 retirement bonuses
In perhaps one of the most philanthropic and selfless
political moves in African history, Kenyan MPs have awarded themselves $107,000 retirement
bonuses in one of the last sessions of parliament before the general elections in
March. The bonus will also include an armed guard, a diplomatic passport and
access to airport VIP lounges. This is the second time Kenyan MPs have voted
for this, though their last attempts were vetoed by the president last year
after widespread protests. Kenyan MPs are already some of the highest earners
in Africa, making $13,000 a month while the average annual Kenyan salary lies
at just $1,700...
Original article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20975602
More South African mining job losses
Anglo American Platinum has announced it will cease
production at four of its mine shafts located in the Rustenburg region of South
Africa, which could lead to job losses of almost 14,000 workers. Lower demand
for platinum and higher costs meant that the mining sites had become
unprofitable. To counteract the job losses, the company will reportedly create
14,000 further jobs. This action follows Amplat’s dismissal of 12,000 workers
in October last year after a strike over wages.
Original article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21023473
Thursday 10 January 2013
UK oil firm Tullow Oil sues Ugandan government in tax dispute
It has emerged that the Ugandan government are being taken
to court by a UK-based oil giant named Tullow Oil, a firm with extensive
interests across Africa. The dispute, which will be heard in an international
court based in the United States, relates to tax imposed on goods and services
Tullow paid for during its work in Uganda. The case was filed at the World
Bank-created International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
(ICSID), which could have serious ramifications for the Ugandan government if
it loses the case; if found in breach of trade and investment agreements signed
with the UK (where Tullow is based), the World Bank could sanction Uganda.
Somewhat controversially, Tullow is being represented in the court case by a
Ugandan law firm, Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), the founder of which
(Elly Karuhanga) is the president of Tullow Uganda. Furthermore, one of KAA’s
partners, Peter Kabatsi was the solicitor-general of Uganda from 1990 to 2002,
a tenure during which he may have negotiated agreements with foreign oil firms,
thus presenting a massive conflict of interest - a claim that Kabatsi denies.
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Mandela discharged from hospital
Nelson Mandela was finally released from hospital on 28
December and is receiving home-based care. Members of the family have stated
that the 94-year old “is stronger than
ever” and thanked all those who showed support.
Original article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20856132
Zimbabwe: Outlook for 2013
Despite significant demographic changes in Zimbabwe, the
political battlegrounds are likely to remain the same. The Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission announced that there would be no delimitation exercise ahead of
elections despite a 1.1% population increase, which is the first time the
nation has failed to undertake the exercise. The decision to skip delimitation hints
at political compromise and expediency among the political elite. Zanu PF has
been calling for elections since the conception of the coalition government in
2009.
Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201301040885.html
Malema is up for grabs!
Disgraced ex-politician Julius Malema has stated that he is
looking forward to “politicians knocking
on my door to canvass me”, though quite who he thinks will make the journey
to his country farm to petition for his services is beyond the average South
African. “People should now be able to
convince me where to put my cross in 2014", said the ex ANC Youth
League leader, who also added that his farming was going well, “I’ve got tomato, cabbage, butternut and
cattle. So during harvesting in February, those who want to buy can approach
me.”
Original article: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2012/12/28/call-me-says-malema
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