News Africa Extended

News Africa Extended

Zimbabwe army assaulted us - residents

Posted: 03 Oct 2016 11:22 PM PDT

Members of the Zimbabwe National Army have allegedly assaulted Harare residents suspected of being opposition MDC-T supporters.

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Harare - Members of the Zimbabwe National Army on Sunday night terrorised residents of Hopley in Harare, allegedly indiscriminately beating up people suspected of being opposition MDC-T supporters.

Several people were left seriously injured, including the 28-year-old wife of the MDC-T Youth District chairperson for the area and her six-week-old baby.

Three of the victims were assisted at the Counseling Services Unit, which helps victims of political violence.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldiers came looking for her husband and on failing to find him, they started to beat her up to force her to reveal his whereabouts.

"Soldiers, numbering more than 20, came home around 10 in the evening demanding to see my husband. When I told them that he was not there, they broke the door and searched everywhere for him. When they could not find him, they threw my six-week-old baby boy from the bed where he was sleeping and started beating me up," she said.

She said they poured cold water over her half naked body while they beat her with clenched fists and kicked her with booted feet. She said the soldiers were saying that her husband was a member of Tajamuka and they wanted him to taste his own medicine because he was also involved in beating up people.

Tajamuka is a campaign which aims to force President Robert Mugabe to step down.

Another MDC-T activist, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, was assaulted by the soldiers.

"They came to Sonke bar where I was playing pool and tried to drag me into their car, but I resisted. The started beating me with the cue-stick and a log, while others beat me with clenched fists and booted feet," he said.

The 36-year-old activist sustained head and back injuries and was having difficulties sitting and walking. "I was severely beaten and staggered home after the beatings. They kept asking me where my chairman was," he said.

A 28-year-old man said he heard some noise outside and when he went out to investigate, he was forced to sit down in the road and was severely assaulted.

"I am not even involved in politics but they just beat me up for no apparent reason. They used logs, clenched fists and booted feet," he said. The man also sustained head and back injuries and was treated at the CSU.

The three said they feared that the soldiers would come back for them again, saying they no longer felt safe in their neighbourhood.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba refused to comment, saying she was busy with something else.

Cases of political violence have been on the increase lately and last week members of the Zimbabwe People First party, including war veteran and retired Brigadier General Agrippa Mutambara, were assaulted by Zanu-PF supporters in Guruve. -

African News Agency

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African governance: Mauritius on top, SA dips

Posted: 03 Oct 2016 07:16 PM PDT

The Ibrahim Index of African Governance rates African nations on security, human rights, economic stability and corruption.

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London - Governance across Africa has improved very little over the past decade as deteriorating safety and rule of law have held back progress made in other areas such as human rights or economic opportunities, a survey said on Monday.

The Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) - the most comprehensive survey of its kind on the continent - rates 54 African nations against criteria such as security, human rights, economic stability, just laws, free elections, corruption, infrastructure, poverty, health and education.

Mauritius held onto its top spot, followed by Botswana, Cape Verde, the Seychelles and Namibia while South Africa - the continent's most industrialised country - was in sixth place.

While overall the index has improved by just one point over the 10-year period starting in 2006, three out of the top 10 countries have seen their score fall in this period, and major economies like South Africa and Ghana registered some of the largest deteriorations on the continent.

“I am a little bit disappointed because governance moved quite fast between 2000 and 2006, it improved considerably, but over the last ten years on average it only increased by 1 point, and we need to do better, and we really need to look at the areas that are holding us back,” Sudanese telecoms businessman Mo Ibrahim told Reuters in an interview.

“We moved forward in education and health, in rural sectors, in infrastructure and gender issues - some good progress has been made, but we need to safeguard that by behaving better,” said Ibrahim, whose foundation compiles the report aimed at promoting better governance and economic development in Africa.

The survey found that almost half of Africa's 54 countries recorded their worst score in the past three years in the Safety & Rule of Law category, which measures personal safety, national security as well as accountability and the judicial system.

All four components which made up Safety & Rule of Law had deteriorated, and this was holding back the continent's progress and remains the biggest challenge to its future, Ibrahim said.

Among the top 10 overall rated countries, six had deteriorated over the past decade in that category with South Africa registering the largest decline in what researchers called a “concerning negative trend”.

South Africa has teetered on the edge of recession, suffering from chronic power shortages and stubbornly high unemployment with voters increasingly frustrated with the country's economic management under President Jacob Zuma and his ruling ANC party.

“We look at South Africa as the locomotive, which we're hoping will pull the whole of southern Africa region forwards,” said Ibrahim, adding tumbling commodity prices had weighed on the country, but political issues were adding to the woes.

“It is in trouble, it needs mending and some soul searching - the ANC needs to really look closely at itself and how it's conducting itself in power.”

The last spot on the overall index was held by Somalia, which makes up the bottom five together with South Sudan, Sudan, the Central African Republic and Libya, which showed some of the most dramatic falls since descending into anarchy following the removal of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Economy

The category of Sustainable Economic Opportunity - looking aspects such as public management, business environment and infrastructure - had shown a slight improvement of 1.8 points.

The rise was driven by a jump in digital and IT infrastructure, the most improved indicator in the past decade across the whole index, while roads and transport also improved.

Yet other parts of the infrastructure, such as electricity, has worsened since 2006, with South Africa showing the largest drop of all countries, losing more than 30 points.

Chronic power shortages are one of the biggest obstacles to growth in countries across Africa, with a dearth of electricity or regular blackouts strangling industries.

“Forty percent of African citizens live in a country which has seen a deterioration and over half of Africa's economy has been affected by this issue over the past decade,” the report found.

Looking at trajectories over the past decade, the report found that 32 countries - home to around half of Africa's population - had seen their final score in 2015 falling below previous peak levels.

“We are really looking for a more inclusive type of government, which offers a better space for civil society and realises that civil society is there to help government, not to fight government,” said Ibrahim.

“I wish to see less violence in Africa, we need peace.”

REUTERS

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Ethiopia unrest continues after 52 die in stampede

Posted: 03 Oct 2016 04:33 AM PDT

Witnesses say violent unrest continues in Ethiopia, a day after 52 people were crushed to death during an anti-government protest.

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Addis Ababa - Witnesses said violent unrest continued on Monday in Ethiopia, a day after 52 people were crushed to death during an anti-government protest at a massive religious festival.

One witness said bodies were still being pulled from ditches where people fell while trying to flee in a stampede from tear gas and bullets.

Clashes between security forces and protesters erupted on Sunday evening and continued through Monday morning in the towns of Bishoftu and Ambo in the restive Oromia region, an Ethiopian government official and witnesses told The Associated Press.

"Some people tried to come out en masse this morning to protest the deaths of holiday-goers on Sunday and also demand the release of people arrested during the celebrations," said Nimona Negash, a tuk-tuk driver in Bishoftu, where Sunday's disaster occurred. "Today's protesters were peaceful but dispersed by police violently. I'm not aware of any deaths this morning, but it was violent. But I'm aware of live bullets used this morning in other vicinities of this town."

He said family members of people who died in Sunday's stampede and others looking for their loved ones were flocking to Bishoftu, creating tension there. He said he heard some 200 people had been arrested.

"I went to the place where the accident happened this morning, and I've seen people being pulled out," Nimona said. "More and more people are coming out of a deep ditch. I saw seven bodies being pulled out then left the scene as I was unable to watch more."

Sunday's stampede occurred as people ran to escape police firing tear gas and rubber bullets and shooting live rounds into the air after anti-government protesters approached the stage where religious leaders were speaking. Huge crowds were celebrating the annual Irrecha thanksgiving celebration in the town 45km southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa.

The Oromia region has been experiencing violent, sometimes deadly anti-government protests since November 2015 as people call for wider political freedoms and the release of detained opposition figures and journalists.

Ethiopia's government, a close security ally of the West, has been accused often of silencing dissent, at times blocking internet access. The US recently spoke out against what it called the excessive use of force against protesters, calling the country's situation "extremely serious."

The head of the Oromia region's spokesman's office, Fikadu Tessema, told the AP on Monday that some groups were trying to "continue the violence that they orchestrated on Sunday."

He said they were trying to portray the stampede as caused by live bullets fired by government forces.

"I can assure you 100 percent that all the 52 victims died of a stampede and didn't have bullet wounds on their bodies," he said. "The current situation in Oromia is not out of control. We are taking measures to bring back our peace."

AP

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Want to study? Be a virgin, says Egyptian MP

Posted: 03 Oct 2016 02:03 AM PDT

An Egyptian MP thinks women should be forced to undergo virginity tests before being admitted to university, it has been reported.

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London - An Egyptian MP has called for women to be forced to undergo virginity tests before being admitted to university, it has been reported.

Parliamentary member Elhamy Agina called on the Minister of Higher Education to issue a mandate requiring him or his officials to enforce the virginity tests, Egyptian Streets reports.

He has suggested that university cards could only been issued to female students on completition of a virginity test.

In an interview with local media, he said: “Any girl who enters university, we have to check her medical examination to prove that she is a Miss. Therefore, each girl must present an official document upon being admitted to university stating she’s a Miss.”

The term "Miss" in Egyptian culture is often used to refer euphemistically as to whether a woman is a virgin.

Agina reportedly added: “No one should be upset by this decision. If you’re upset then that means you’re scared that your daughter is in an ‘urfi’ marriage behind your back.”

Urfi marriages can be entered into without the approval of a bride’s guardian and can only require two witnesses, resulting in a cultural perception among some segments of Egyptian society that they are covert or secret marriages. They are believed to be particularly common among young couples who may be unable to afford a large wedding ceremony.

Agina has since defended his remarks, reportedly saying they had been misinterpreted and he was merely making a suggestion. He said: “People have been attacking me and they’re upset and such. I’ve decided not to deal with the media. I did not make a demand, I made a suggestion. There’s a big difference between a demand and a suggestion.”

He added that he made the remarks as part of a discussion as to how urfi marriages could be stopped: “I said, well, it’s not the government’s right to ask a girl or a man whether they’ve had an urfi marriage. But maybe, maybe… just as a suggestion that may or may not be implemented - the government could tell university hospitals to conduct virginity tests. And then the university can tell the student’s parents.”

His alleged remarks have been criticised online. Prominent Egyptian feminist Mona Eltahawy tweeted: "I see Egyptian parliamentarian Elhamy Agena's [sic] obsession with women's vaginas continues".

Journalist Jacky Habib tweeted: "How about we have mandatory IQ tests for politicians who aim to mandate nonsense like this".

Agina is known for his remarks which many have perceived as courting controversy. Earlier this month, he called for Egyptian women to undergo female mutilation in order to “reduce their sexual desires” because Egyptian men are “sexually weak”.

Last week he also prompted outrage when he said people who died when a migrant boat capsized while en route to Italy “deserve no sympathy”.

In 2011, an Egyptian court ruled that forced virginity tests on female detainees in military prisons were unlawful. The ruling came after a number of women were allegedly subjected to the treatment after being arrested during protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which provoked condemnation from human rights groups around the world.

So-called virginity tests are practised in a number of countries around the world. In Indonesia, female recruits must undergo them to join the military or national police. The tests see doctors attempt to deduce the state of the hymen using a so-called "two finger test".

Critics of the tests say they are degrading and can traumatise women. The scientific basis for them has also been questioned as many critics say the methodology is flawed as hymens can break for various reasons, such as during exercise or sport. The World Health Organisation has criticised the tests saying: “There is no place for virginity testing, it has no scientific validity”.

The Independent

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Zim education minister threatens student protesters

Posted: 03 Oct 2016 12:34 AM PDT

Zimbabwe's higher education minister, Jonathan Moyo, is not happy with students who demonstrated against President Robert Mugabe at a graduation ceremony.

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Harare - Zimbabwe's Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, on Friday made a veiled threat to withdraw the degrees of students who demonstrated against President Robert Mugabe during a graduation ceremony at the University of Zimbabwe.

In a tweet, Moyo implied that any conduct deemed unruly by the state could lead to the withdrawal of one's degree, in reference to former student leader, Tonderai Dombo, who waved a placard at Mugabe as he capped almost 4 000 graduands at the University of Zimbabwe on Thursday.

"Just because one is Mr Dombo does not mean they should throw stones everywhere anytime.Disrupting a graduation ceremony can cost a degree," he tweeted on his account.

"Dombo" is a Shona word meaning stone.

Dombo was arrested along with two other students by Central Intelligence Officers who later handed them over to the police at Harare Central police station where they were detained overnight. The three were charged with public nuisance, fined $10 each and subsequently released.

Political analyst, Pedzisai Ruhanya said it was permissible for a university to withdraw a student's degree but it had to be on merit, which in this case, he said, was not there. He said the students who protested were only exercising their right to express themselves freely.

"There was nothing illegal about what the students did. By protesting or holding placards, the students were exercising their rights in a civil manner. Moyo is playing a political game and what he is doing cannot stand the rigours of judicial scrutiny," he said.

He said Moyo might want to please Mugabe but it would be difficult to effect his threat as it entailed a rigorous process that also called for the setting up of a committee to look into whether the withdrawal was in line with legal constitutional rights.

Ruhanya added that the withdrawal, in any case, was not done by government but the individual university.

Student leader, Tatenda Chigwada, said Moyo's threats were empty and should not be taken seriously, adding it was not easy to deny someone who had put their efforts into their studies their hard-earned degree.

"These degrees are different from those they gave to Grace Mugabe,and other so called doctors in Zanu PF. It is not an honorary degree, it's a degree which someone studied for, spending sleepless nights," he said. "For someone because he or she was appointed Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, to then think he can withdraw that degree is nonsense. We as students are going to fight for the rights of these students who they are saying will not get degrees."

MDC Youth Assembly Secretary, Denford Ngadziore, said Moyo was only trying to please Mugabe.

"So it is not something new to us and we believe that was a mere statement which should not intimidate us as youths. We need to make sure we mobilise youths and other students to show that we are able to defend comrade Dombo and his team. The fact that the students were fined a paltry $10 was testimony that their charges were not serious and did not warrant overnight detention," he said.

"It shows this was just a stupid designed to silence people... how can you arrest someone and detain them for the whole night and then fine them $10? It shows there was no charge at all but they just wanted to intimidate the students."

African News Agency

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