NEWS - The African Mirror

Apr

02

2021

France faces rising calls to investigate Mali airstrike

NEWS

FRANCE faced mounting calls from rights groups yesterday to open an investigation into an airstrike by its forces in Mali that a United Nations probe said killed 19 civilians at a wedding party. U.N. investigators published a report on Tuesday about the January 3 strike, concluding that it killed 19 civilians and three armed men near the central Mali village of Bounti. France, which has more than 5,000 troops in Mali and neighbouring West African countries to battle militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, rejected the conclusions, saying it hit Islamist militants only. Domestic and international advocacy groups,…

Apr

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Wait and see, says stress-free Magashule

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER DRESSED in a short-sleeve golf shirt in ANC colours, Ace Magashule, the ANC secretary-general took a swig of Aloe water, flashed a smile and declared himself stress-free. On a mission to plant trees in Naledi, Soweto, Magashule said he was not stressed about the fact he has 28 days to step down, in line with the decision of the ANC national executive committee (NEC) that those facing criminal charges must step aside. “Are you stressed,” asked a reporter. “What stress,” retorted Magashule.”What’s the stress about...Can you see me (being) stressed.” The ANC secretary-general revealed that he will…

Jul

13

2021

By The African Mirror

Egypt toughens sexual harassment law

NEWS

MENNA A FAROUK EGYPTIAN women's rights activists have called for laws protecting women to be better enforced after the introduction of stronger penalties for sexual harassment offences. They welcomed a move by Egypt's parliament on Sunday to reclassify sexual harassment as a felony, increase the minimum jail sentence from one to two years and raise the fine to at least 100,000 Egyptian pounds ($6,400). But they warned this would only be effective if enforcement of such laws was improved, citing a lack of awareness among police, judges and society as a whole. The legal amendments are the latest in a…

Apr

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Gunmen kill 30 people in Ethiopia

NEWS

GUNMEN killed 30 people in an attack on a village in the west of the Ethiopian region of Oromiya late on Tuesday, witnesses said. Clashes between ethnic groups have become a major challenge to the government in the country, which took its present form from territorial expansions of the 19th century. Regional officials in Oromiya did not immediately comment on who was behind the killings in the western Wollega Zone of Oromiya. In the past they have blamed similar attacks on an armed group called OLF Shane. Wossen Andarege, a farmer in the area, said that those who survived the…

Jul

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Zuma’s younger brother dies

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER FOUR days into his 15-month prison sentence, former South African president Jacob Zuma suffered a family tragedy after his younger brother, Michael, passed away. Michael, 77, who has been unwell, passed on yesterday. He has, over the years, been a pillar of strength for his brother and recently spoke out against Zuma’s legal troubles. Zuma’s supporters took to social media to offer their condolences, with some calling for Correctional Services to allow the former president to bury his brother. https://twitter.com/niehaus_carl/status/1414257022934028291?s=20

Apr

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Outpouring of love for late “People Doctor” Sindi van Zyl

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africans from all walks of life have paid warm tributes to the “People’s Doctor”, Dr Sindi van Zyl who today lost her two month battle against COVID-19. Tributes flooded social media platforms as those who loved Van Zyl came to terms with her passing. Her family, in a statement, said: “The Van Zyl family humbly thanks everyone who stood together with them to help raise funds for Sindi’s hospital bill, in addition to the national outpour of prayer, love and support for her. It is however with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of our…

Apr

10

2021

By The African Mirror

S.A liberation hero Chris Hani venerated

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER With bouquets of colourful flowers, political slogans and songs, South Africa today celebrated the life and times of liberation hero Chris Hani who was killed on this day 28 years ago. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led senior leaders of the ANC, the South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions in commemorating the life of Hani. At a special ceremony at the Heroes Acre at a cemetery in Dawn Park, Ramaphosa said Hani was a unifier and nation builder. “He was a champion of non-racialism, non-sexism and deeply committed to breaking down…

Apr

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Dozens arrested in global human trafficking raids

NEWS

CHRISTINE MURRAY NEARLY 90 people have been arrested for human trafficking offences following an international police operation that also led to 500 victims being found, including some children, the Interpol global police coordination agency has revealed. Police in 24 countries including Kenya, Brazil and France took part in Operation Weka, which was carried out between March 28 and April 2, and comes as experts warn that the pandemic has hampered efforts to bring traffickers to justice. The operation led to 195 arrests in total, including 88 in connection with trafficking crimes. The rest were mainly for migrant smuggling and related…

Apr

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Choose your punishment, Zuma told

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa’s Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng has provided former South African president Jacob Zuma an opportunity to influence the sanction the Constitutional Court should impose on him, should he be found guilty of contempt of court. The Constitutional Court, the highest court in SA, is due to hand down its verdict in a case in which it has been asked by the chair of the judicial commission into state capture to find Zuma guilty of contempt and sent him to jail for two years. Zuma has until April 14 to file the affidavit. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond…

Apr

10

2021

By The African Mirror

40 burned alive in Congo bus crash

NEWS

ABOUT 40 passengers were burned alive when a bus overturned and caught fire in western Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday, an official said. The accident occurred near the village of Kiwawa, a six-hour drive east of the capital Kinshasa, Kwilu province governor Willy Itshundala said. "Almost nothing can be recovered," Itshundala told Reuters by telephone. "Out of 31 survivors, nine are seriously injured." Videos shared on social media showed the vehicle on its side, its undercarriage burning and fruit spilled across the road. Reuters was not able to verify the footage.