BUJUMBURA – Nine schools are being investigated in eastern Burundi after photos of the president were defaced in text books. More than 230 pupils were suspended on Monday for refusing to own up to the defacement of 27 books at their school. Eleven students in other provinces are already being prosecuted for insulting the president…
PRETORIA – The father of Reeva Steenkamp has testified in a South African court that her fatal shooting by Oscar Pistorius “devastated” his family and that today he thinks of her “all the time.” An emotional Barry Steenkamp spoke at the sentencing hearing for the former track star, who was convicted of murdering girlfriend Steenkamp…
PRETORIA – South African athlete Oscar Pistorius must pay for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, her father has told a judge, breaking down in tears. Pistorius was found guilty of murdering Ms Steenkamp after a court overturned an earlier manslaughter verdict. The sentencing hearing – expected to conclude by Friday – will decide if he…
NAIROBI – An unknown gang reportedly broke into a Catholic church in Kenya and made off with offerings on Sunday night. According to Nairobi News, the incident took place on Sunday evening in Meru County, some 200km north east of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The gang attacked St Joseph Chuka Catholic Church around midnight, local…
PRETORIA – A sentencing hearing for South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who murdered his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, has started in Pretoria. He faces a jail term of at least 15 years, but his sentence can be reduced due to time already spent in prison and mitigating factors. The hearing is expected to last all week…
LAGOS – The Nigerian Army on Sunday denied allegations that those affected by the recent retirement exercise it embarked upon were deliberately pooled from a section of the country to further advance a ‘northern agenda’, describing the reports as “unfair and unethical.” The Army had come under fierce criticism following claims that senior army officers…
PRETORIA – South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is a “broken” man, a defence witness has said at his sentencing hearing. He was convicted of murder at the end of last year for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He faces a jail term of 15 years, but his sentence can be reduced due…
LONDON – Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has appointed his daughter Isabel as head of state oil firm Sonangol, Angola National State Radio (RNA) reports. The radio report adds that this came after the president fired the entire Sonangol board and appointed a new one. Angola is currently Africa’s largest oil producer as militant…
NAIROBI – At least three people have died in western Kenya during opposition protests calling for electoral reforms, police say. Their statement said police in Siaya shot dead two people in self-defence. A third man in Kisumu died from a head injury after falling over while running from tear gas, reports AFP news agency. Last…
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s prosecution says it will appeal against a court ruling that it should reconsider corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. Originally, the charges were dropped weeks before the 2009 election which led to him becoming president. But last month, a high court judge described that decision as “irrational”. Zuma has always denied…
