Articles by "SOUTH AFRICA"
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At least five people have been killed and hundreds forced to flee their homes in one of South Africa’s worst outbreaks of xenophobic violence in years, authorities said on Tuesday.

Most of the recent unrest occurred in and around the coastal city of Durban, where police said two foreigners and three South Africans were killed.

The dead included a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly shot during looting on Monday night and died at a hospital, police colonel Jay Naicker said.

In this disturbing pic, a South African police officer is seen smiling at the camera while the body of a suspected foreigner, is gruesomely charred to death in the xenophobic attack
April 19, 2015
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At least five people have been killed over the past two weeks since local vigilantes in South Africa started looting and attacking shops owned by immigrants mainly from other parts of Africa

In Johannesburg, Malawian immigrant Samuel Idrssa described how his friend was stabbed and set on fire by a mob.
‘We wanted to rescue him but there were too many of them,’ he said. ‘It was shocking.’
 ‘We have all left our homes. Those affected are those of us who live in poor townships because we live with poor South Africans who do not have jobs.’ 
Violence flared days after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said in remarks that foreigners should 'take their bags and go'. And pictures below capture the horror of what's currently happening in the country.

Addressing parliament in Cape Town on Thursday, President Zuma had reiterated his condemnation of the violence, calling it a 'violation' of South Africa's values.
No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops,' he said. 'We condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms. The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies.' 
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April 19, 2015
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Zulu King Godwill Zwelithi's utterances on March 23rd launched the Zenophobic attacks in South Africa and he had refused to apologize, even after finding out that his people have maimed, killed and destroyed businesses belonging to black foreigners. He's still insisting that foreigners should go back to their countries but tried to save face by saying attacking the foreigners is not how to chase them away. He wants the government to do it legally.
During a speech last month, Zwelithini called for the deportation of foreign nationals living in the country, saying it was unacceptable locals were being made to compete with people from other countries for the few economic opportunities they had available. King Zwelithi said "foreigners must pack their bags and go home".


His three major complaints and why he wanted foreigners to go were; 1. SA traders in the townships said they could not compete with the prices that foreign-owned businesses were selling their products. 2; foreigners involved in crime. 3. Lack of respect shown by foreigners to locals.

Addressing Pongolo community members during a moral regeneration event, Zwelithini accused government of failing to protect locals from the “influx of foreign nationals”. He said;
“Most government leaders do not want to speak out on this  matter because they are scared  of losing votes.  As the king of the Zulu nation, I cannot tolerate a situation where we are being led by leaders with no views whatsoever.
“We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries. The fact that there were countries that played a role in the country’s struggle for liberation should not be used as an excuse to create a situation where foreigners are allowed to inconvenience locals. I know you were in their countries during the struggle for liberation. But the fact of the matter is you did not set up businesses in their countries."
His comments were widely condemned with the SA DA describing it “highly irresponsible' 'Particularly given the recent spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, he should do the right thing – retract and apologise,”

He didn't and his spokesman went on record to say the King had nothing to apologize for, that he meant every word he said.
“I think the people who’re complaining are misinterpreting his speech. He didn’t say foreigners must be attacked or harassed. The king was talking about foreigners who are here illegally. Some are involved in serious crimes like drug and human trafficking. We don’t need such people in our country so the king is right.” His spokesman said
After the killing spread across different cities, the king has relented a little and is planning to speak to his people this Monday in an effort to quell the attacks. He's expected to address the public directly and clarify his statement and ask his people to stop the violence which his words started...
April 18, 2015
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27 year old South Africa national team captain and goal keeper Senzo Meyiwa, who was shot dead at his girlfriend's home by unknown gunmen last Sunday October 25th, was laid to rest today November 1st at the Heroes Acre Chesterfield cemetery - an honor that is usually reserved for outstanding figures from the struggle against apartheid.

About 30,000 South Africans gathered at the Moses Mabhida Stadium to bid the goalkeeper farewell. The funeral comes a day after it was announced that a suspect has been arrested and charged for his murder. He is survived by three children. May his soul rest in peace. Amen. See photos after the cut...


Meyiwa had captained South Africa in their first four African Nations Cup qualifiers over the last two months without conceding a goal.
November 02, 2014
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Late model Reeva Steenkamp's mother June Steenkamp said Reeva confided in her before she was shot dead on Val's day 2013 that she'd never had sex with Oscar Pistorius.

June made this revelation in her yet to be released book titled “Reeva: a Mother's Story”. In an extract from the book in Times Magazine, June wrote that Reeva told her that although they spent nights together, they didn't have sex because she 'was scared to take the relationship to that level'.
"She had confided to me that she hadn’t slept with him. They’d shared a bed, but she was scared to take the relationship to that level. She wouldn’t want to sleep with Oscar if she wasn’t sure. I believe their relationship was coming to an end. In her heart of hearts, she didn’t think it was making either of them happy.” June wrote. Continue...
Speaking about Oscar, June wrote
"To look at him now, he's a pathetic figure. He looks haunted. He's already been punished in a way.
“Whatever is in his head is in his head forever. He will have to live with that.” 
 "It was Reeva’s bad luck that she met him, because sooner or later he would have killed someone. I do believe that.”
June also wrote that she didn't believe Oscar's version.
“He said pulling the trigger was 'an accident'. What? Four times an accident? He said Reeva did not scream, but she would definitely have screamed. I know my daughter as she was very vocal.
“There is no doubt in our minds that something went horribly wrong, something upset her so terribly that she hid behind a locked door with two mobile phones.”
She also talked about how she and Reeva's father are dealing with their grief
"Both of us are haunted by the same nightmare. The vision of Reeva suffering this terrible trauma. Her terror and helplessness. Her yells for help piercing the silent night air. Barry agonises over what was going through her mind. ‘Where is anyone? Who is going to save me?’
About Oscar's apology she said
"Why decide to say sorry to me in a televised trial in front of the whole world? I was unmoved by his apology.
"I felt if I appeared to be sorry for him at this stage of his trial on the charge of premeditated murder, it would in the eyes of others lessen the awfulness of what he had done."
"He was in the box trying to save his own skin after he had killed my daughter and I was sitting in that courtroom wanting to hear the factual truth, not to see emotions cloud the truth."
“We’re not looking for vengeance or for him to get hurt; we’re just happy because he’s going to be punished for what he’s done.
“He may come out early on good behaviour, but by the time he’s served that time, it will have taught him that he can’t go around doing things like that.” June wrote
October 26, 2014
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Senzo Meyiwa as Orlando Pirates fans will remember him... (Gallo Images)

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa has died after being shot.

Details are vague at present, but it has been confirmed that Meyiwa died from a gunshot wound.
According to unconfirmed reports, Meyiwa was at his girlfriend's home in Vosloorus when a man demanded his cellphone and opened fire. Meyiwa was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Meyiwa was in action on Saturday night when he helped the Buccaneers defeat Ajax Cape Town 4-1 at the Orlando Stadium in their Telkom Knockout quarter-final.
He had been a star for Bafana Bafana in recent months, and in the four AFCON qualifiers played to date he was yet to concede a goal, and captained the team in the absence of regular 'keeper and skipper, Itumeleng Khune.
“We have to brake (sic) normal protocol. We can confirm that Bucs keeper Senzo Meyiwa has been shot and sadly declared dead on arrival at hospital,” said the SA Police Services official Twitter feed.

There were 7 people inside the house. Two suspects went into the house, one remained outside. The 3 fled on foot after the shooting

The incident happened at around 20h00, Zamo Section in Vosloorus. Reward of up to R150 000 is on offer 4 any info that can lead to arrest, the SA Police Services confirmed.
Sport24 sends its condolences to the friends and family and supporters of Meyiwa and Orlando Pirates.
It was the second death of a South African sportsman in a matter of days, after former 800m Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car crash on Friday.
Meyiwa's national team-mates Dean Furman and Andile Jali were quick to tweet their condolences.
October 26, 2014
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Reeva Steenkamp's relationship was Pistorius was "coming to an end", her mother says

It was bad luck Reeva Steenkamp met Oscar Pistorius, her mother has said, as the "volatile" athlete "would have killed someone sooner or later".
Speaking to The Times, June Steenkamp calls Pistorius "pathetic", "moody", "gun-toting" and "possessive".
She rejects both his apology and his version of events, but admits: "He's the only one who knows the truth."
Pistorius is serving five years for the culpable homicide of girlfriend Reeva. He could be out in 10 months.
The South African athlete was cleared of murder.
'About to leave'
June Steenkamp told The Times, which is serialising her book, Reeva: A Mother's Story, which is to be published on 6 November, that Reeva had told her the couple had not yet entered a sexual relationship and had "nagging doubts about their compatibility".
She says: "She had confided to me that she hadn't slept with him. They'd shared a bed, but she was scared to take the relationship to that level.


Judge Thokozile Masipa hands down the sentence

"She wouldn't want to sleep with Oscar if she wasn't sure. I believe their relationship was coming to an end. In her heart of hearts, she didn't think it was making either of them happy."
Ms Steenkamp, 68, who did not testify at the trial, says this may have played a part in what happened on the night of the shooting, Valentine's Day last year.
She rejects his version of events, that there was no row and that he had thought there was an intruder in the toilet cubicle when he fired four shots through the door "without thinking".
"There is no doubt in our minds that something went horribly wrong, something upset her so terribly that she hid behind a locked door with two mobile phones," June writes.


June Steenkamp speaks after the sentencing

Other words she uses to describe Pistorius are "arrogant", "moody", "combustible", "trigger-happy", "vague", "evasive" and "shifty".
She believes Reeva, 29, was about to leave Pistorius, 27.
She says: "Her clothes were packed. There is no doubt in our minds: she had decided to leave Oscar that night."
In the excerpt of the book serialised in the paper, Ms Steenkamp refers to Pistorius's apology to them in court.
"Why decide to say sorry to me in a televised trial in front of the whole world? I was unmoved by his apology.
"I felt if I appeared to be sorry for him at this stage of his trial on the charge of premeditated murder, it would in the eyes of others lessen the awfulness of what he had done. He was in the box trying to save his own skin."
Nevertheless, the parents say they do want to meet Pistorius.
Oscar Pistorius at the Pretoria High Court, 21 Oct Oscar Pistorius holds the hands of family members as he is led away
Although she says "I am not entirely sure what I am going to say", father Barry, 71, says he wants an apology.
"I would like him to really, truthfully say, although he said it in court, 'I'm sorry.'  I would like him just to say it to our faces."
Ms Steenkamp also talks about the "wrenching pain that you get in your heart" when thinking of her daughter's death.
"It's always there. The minute your eyes open in the morning, or if you wake up in the middle of the night, there it is."
Pistorius, an amputee sprinter, became the first athlete to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He is serving his sentence in Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru II jail.
Pistorius was also given a three-year suspended sentence for firing a gun in a restaurant.
Inside Oscar Pistorius's home

INTERACTIVE

the house where Reeva died
1
 

  • Balcony
    Mr Pistorius said he and Ms Steenkamp had dinner at about 19:00 before going to bed at 21:00. He said he woke in the early hours, spoke briefly to his girlfriend and got up to close the sliding door and curtains.
    Judge Thokozile Masipa questioned the reliability of several witnesses who said they heard screams and gunshots between about 03:12 and 03:17, saying most had 'got facts wrong'.

  • Bathroom noise

    ×

    Mr Pistorius said he heard the bathroom window sliding open and believed that an intruder, or intruders, had entered the bathroom through a window which was not fitted with burglar bars.
    Mr Pistorius said he grabbed his firearm and told Ms Steenkamp, who he thought was still in bed, to call the police.
    The judge said it made no sense that Ms Steenkamp did not hear him scream 'Get out' or call the police, as she had her mobile phone with her.

  • Shooting

    ×

    Mr Pistorius could see the bathroom window was open and toilet door closed. He said he did not know whether the intruders were outside on a ladder or in the toilet.
    He had his firearm in front of him, he heard a movement inside the toilet and thought whoever was inside was coming out to attack him.
    'Before I knew it, I had fired four shots at the door,' he said.
    The judge said she did not accept that Mr Pistorius fired the gun by accident or before he knew what was happening. She said he had armed himself with a lethal weapon and clearly wanted to use it. The other question, she said, was why he fired not one, but four shots before he ran back to the room to try to find Ms Steenkamp.

  • Bedroom

    ×

    Mr Pistorius said he went back to the bedroom and noticed that Ms Steenkamp was not there.
    Mr Pistorius said this was when he realised she could have been in the toilet and rushed back to the bathroom.

  • Toilet door

    ×

    Bathroom
    Mr Pistorius said he screamed for help and went back to the bathroom where he found the toilet was locked. He returned to the bedroom, pulled on his prosthetic legs and turned on the lights before bashing in the toilet door with a cricket bat.
    When the door panel broke, he found the key and unlocked the door and found Ms Steenkamp slumped on the floor with her head on the toilet bowl. He then carried her downstairs, where he was met by neighbours.

3D animation of the apartment


Note: 3D model based on floor plan presented at Pretoria Magistrates' Court in 2013, Agencies and Eyewitness News.
October 26, 2014

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