Login to BlackFacts.com using your favorite Social Media Login. Click the appropriate button below and you will be redirected to your Social Media Website for confirmation and then back to Blackfacts.com once successful.
Enter the email address and password you used to join BlackFacts.com. If you cannot remember your login information, click the “Forgot Password” link to reset your password.
BY REX MPHISA A ZIMBABWEAN man has appeared in a South African court to answer allegations of killing his three-year-old son following a domestic dispute. Dzingirai Tapera (27) of Zaka, who is a migrant worker at Buiver Lodge Farm, allegedly used a pair of scissors to stab the toddler on the neck. He appeared at the Tzaneen Magistrates Court on April 13 2021 facing a murder charge. It is understood that Tapera had a misunderstanding with his wife who then threatened that she was leaving him and return to Zimbabwe. He left his workplace and went home where he allegedly committed the brutal murder. His wife, Rejoice Dzingirai reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest. The now-deceased was found with stab wounds on his throat, according to information supplied by Limpopo province police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo. Follow us on Twitter @NewsDayZimbabwe
The post Father kills son (3) in domestic dispute appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.
In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.
Ndayishimiye was hurriedly sworn in after the untimely death of president Pierre Nkurunziza in June.
Rights violations continue
The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.
The country was plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye’s predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term, which he ultimately won in July 2015.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Hundreds of people were killed and over 300,000 fled to neighboring countries.
… of all folks, Asian Americans, African Americans, Latinos, LGBTQ, across the board … that by one measure, gay Black Americans may finally have representation in … Pentagon, and is the only African-American to have headed U.S …
By LISA MARIE PANE and RACHEL LA CORTE | Associated Press Deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to more than 2,200 a day on average, matching the frightening peak reached last April, and cases per day have eclipsed 200,000 on average for the first time on record, with the crisis all but certain […]
THE National Social Security Authority (Nssa) says it plans to scale up it’s shareholding in the pan African development financial institution, Africa Import Export Bank (Afreximbank) by deploying funds generated when it hived off its shareholding in ZB Financial Holdings Limited (ZBFHL). BY MELODY CHIKONO In 2017, Nssa splurged US$20 million for a stake in Afreximbank, as part of a broad strategy that is meant to bolster the fund’s balance sheet through diversifying investments. A Nssa executive told NewsDay Business last week that the fresh investment into Afreximbank formed part for the State-run pay-as-you-go fund’s ambition to continue unlocking value for thousands of pensioners with savings under its stewardship. The authority recently offloaded its 37,79% stake in ZBFHL where it pocketed US$ 11,46 million in the deal. It was not clear if the entire package would be invested in Afreximbank. But the fund is also mulling to expand its pan-African holdings with an investment in the Lagos headquartered Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re). Africa Re is one of the region’s biggest reinsurers with a footprint in 41 Africa countries through approximately 107 insurance and reinsurance companies, which was founded on February 24 1976 in Yaounde, Cameroon, making it Africa's first continental reinsurer. It says it is continually combing through the markets to find the right assets to invest in. Nssa communications manager Tendai Mutseyekwa said the authority had pocketed US$1,18 million in dividends out of its Afreximbank investment and was determined to make fresh inroads into one of the region’s most influential financial institutions. “For our offshore investments, we are currently invested in Afreximbank, Quilter and Nedbank, which are both offshoots of Old Mutual,” Mutseyekwa told this paper. Quilter Plc, formerly known as Old Mutual Wealth Management Limited, is a financial services company formed to take over the United Kingdom wealth management business of Old Mutual Plc, after its separation of business. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. “With these proceeds we are looking at enhancing our investments in Afreximbank because of the dividend and then also look at other equity investments. But mainly we want to shore up our investments with Afreximbank. We are actually trying to unlock value for the benefit of the scheme,” he said. Generally, Nssa’s investment portfolio is valued at $30,48 billion. It is spread across a wide spectrum of asset classes and industries including equities, properties, offshore investments and fixed income. These include investments in equities on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange valued at $19,1 billion, investments in shares of unlisted companies valued at $149 million and foreign investments valued at $1,9 billion. The authority’s fixed income is valued at $770 million. Nssa received more than $60 million in dividends from companies it invested in during the first half of this year. Follow Melody on Twitter @melodychikono
CHIREDZI residents have rejected a $208 million proposed 2021 budget by the Chiredzi Town Council, arguing that the local authority intended to use it to purchase vehicles for its top management. BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA In an explosive budget consultative meeting that was held in the council board room last week, residents proposed that council should come up with a policy that protects council property, especially vehicles. This was after Francis Moyo the former council chairperson went away with a three-year-old Toyota D4D vehicle when his term ended. The vehicle was allegedly sold to him at book value after a contentious council resolution. Moyo, who was ward four councillor decided not to stand for a second term and opted for a parliamentary seat, but he was defeated by the incumbent Chiredzi West MP Farai Musikavanhu in the 2018 Zanu PF primaries. The council is expected to gobble over $20 million of the 2021 budget in purchasing vehicles. A section of the budget which was contested was the one that dealt with the proposed construction of two public toilets in ward three using devolution money at a cost of $8 million, which translates to US$98 000 using the current auction rate. The residents argued that the figures were overstated and could result in a distorted budget. United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) advocacy officer, Bernard Dachi, handed out two letters written to the town secretary Charles Muchatukwa in 2018 and 2019, demanding that council should come up with a policy that protects council vehicles from abuse. “In 2018 and 2019, we wrote to you demanding that you come up with a policy that protects our vehicles after we lost one of our vehicles, but you chose to ignore the suggestion. So as residents we are saying unless we have such a policy, we are rejecting your proposed budget,” Dachi said. The Chiredzi RDC was also accused of wanting to buy a refuse compactor using devolution funds from government. Follow us on Twitter@NewsDayZimbabwe
The City of Cape Cape Town will be closely eyeing liquor outlets this festive season, as alcohol-related trauma incidents could place an unnecessary burden on the city's hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
To read Donald Trump's Twitter feed is to see a man seemingly obsessed with finding some way, any way, to hold onto the presidency. To watch what he does (or, more accurately, doesn't do) in his waning days in the White House suggests that Trump has already folded his tent - effectively not even trying to do the job that […]
A Customs and Excise official in Beitbridge was nabbed for attempting to illegally move out of a State warehouse goods worth $6 million or US$8 483. BY REX MPHISA Nelson Chinguwa, 31, faces a charge of criminal abuse of office. Chinguwa was arraigned before Beitbridge magistrate Annia Chiweta and was released on $30 000 bail. He is denying the charge. According to State papers, on December 3, Chinguwa, of 103 Limpopo View went to Manica Transit Shed, which houses a State warehouse in contravention of his assigned duties. He then tried to remove the goods in question, which had been seized on June 30 pending payment of $2, 7 million or US$4 241, 56 duty equivalent to a level seven fine for importing goods without a licence. Chinguwa had taken the goods but was intercepted at the Malala Tollgate on the Beitbridge- Bulawayo Highway. He is expected again in court on December 21 this year. Lawyer Jabulani Mzinyathi appeared for Chinguwa.
Despite uncertainties over Joe Biden’s approach to trade with China, major U.S. companies are optimistic about the business outlook under the new administration.
The coronavirus COVID-19 is surging in the U.S., which has reported more than 15 million cases and 286,000 deaths from the virus since the pandemic began, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. President-elect Joe Biden has said the incoming administration will ensure the country will have 100 million doses available during his first […]
RESIDENTS in Westmoreland may face stricter COVID-19 regulations as the surging number of novel coronavirus infections there threaten to wipe out months of gains against the scourge on the island.
[The Herald] In responding to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called upon all African countries to adopt best practices, strategies, guidelines and recommendations to handle Covid-19 pandemic.
GOVERNMENT yesterday ordered all newly-imported vehicles from countries which have experienced nuclear radiation such as Japan to be inspected for radiation before they enter the country with immediate effect. BY RICHARD MUPONDE The regulations were published in Statutory Instrument 281 of 2020 by the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) chief executive Justice Chipuru. It reads: “There is now a requirement in terms of SI 281of 2020 titled Radiation Protection (Safety and Security of Radiation Sources) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No 5), that all vehicles being imported into Zimbabwe from countries that experienced nuclear incidents (Japan) be inspected for radiation contamination with immediate effect.” The directive came a fortnight after the government banned imports of second-hand vehicles more than 10 years old to contain the import bill and to promote the domestic motor industry. Chipuru said contamination inspection for light motor vehicles was US$10 while decontamination was pegged at US$50. Inspection of buses, heavy vehicles, haulage trucks and trailers is pegged at US$20 and decontamination at US$100. Japan suffered a nuclear disaster nine years ago after an earthquake and tsunami damaged and destroyed its Fukushima Nuclear Plant and also destroyed over 1 million buildings. Follow Richard on Twitter @muponderichard
While the CDC said there should be enough doses for as many as 20 million people to receive vaccination by the end of December, health officials expect a much larger supply in the coming months. Still, with a justified distrust of unproven vaccines, and a perceived limited participation by African Americans in clinical the trials that lead to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, many question whether African Americans will accept vaccination.
… "extremely problematic for the African-American community” in a recent interview …
As illegal cigarettes continue to pour into South Africa, we're looking at the brands that boomed during our ill-fated tobacco ban.
By SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — Germany's Europe minister said Tuesday that further delaying the European Union's landmark 1.82 trillion-euro ($2.21 trillion) long-term budget and coronavirus recovery package would be 'irresponsible' as diplomats envisage a solution without Poland and Hungary, the two EU states holding up the measure. Speaking ahead of a video conference of European affairs ministers, Michael Roth said the stimulus is crucial for many European countries whose economies have been devastated by the pandemic. But Poland and Hungary, who agreed on the deal in July, are now vetoing the package because of a mechanism that […]
The post Pressure mounts on Hungary, Poland to unlock EU stimulus appeared first on Black News Channel.
By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA Associated Press KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — China and Nepal jointly announced a new official height for Mount Everest on Tuesday, ending a discrepancy between the two nations. The new height of the world's highest peak is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), which is slightly more than Nepal's previous measurement and about four meters (13 feet) higher than China's. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Nepalese counterpart, Pradeep Gyawali, simultaneously pressed buttons during a virtual conference and the new height flashed on the screen. The height of Everest, which is on the border between China and Nepal, was […]
The post China, Nepal say Everest a bit higher than past measurements appeared first on Black News Channel.
Rashida Jones, a cable news industry veteran, will be MSNBC's next president, NBCUniversal News Group Chair Cesar Conde said Monday.
An Ethiopian spokesman on Tuesday said that the country's forces fired on a UN team, claiming they ignored instructions and drove through government checkpoints in the northern region of Tigray.
The shooting came as the UN and aid agencies are continuing to seek access to northern Ethiopia, more than a week after fighting there was declared over on November 28.
\"Some of the UN staff were actually detained and some were shot at,\" said Redwan Hussein. \"They broke two checkpoints to drive to areas where they were not supposed to go, and that they were told not to go. When they were about to break the third one, they were shot at and detained.\"
Speaking at a press conference in the capital Addis Ababa, Redwan insisted the UN staffers were to blame for Sunday's incident close to the town of Shire, claiming they had \"indulged themselves in a kind of adventurous expedition\".
\"This country isn't no man's land. It has a government,\" he said.
\"If anybody is told not to go, then they have to abide by it. You cannot ignore a government warning and then try to run roughshod (over) everybody,\" he added.
Thousands have been killed in fighting that began November 4 between government forces and those loyal to the leadership of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
Close to 50,000 have fled to Sudan while around 600,000 living in Tigray depended on food handouts even before the fighting began.
Last week the UN said it had signed an agreement with the Ethiopian government guaranteeing \"unconditional access for humanitarian assistance\".
However, Redwan contradicted this on Tuesday.
\"The agreement we entered is in the belief that the UN would collaborate with us and we the government would call the shots, so we coordinate, we lead, but we need assistance and a partner,\" he said.
\"For some partners to drive alone, to move alone, isn't allowed. There is no such thing as unfettered access in every corner of Ethiopia.\"
BULAWAYO residents have expressed concern over the state of the city’s drainage system that they claim is likely to cause flash floods and lead to loss of lives and property as rain season gets into full swing. PRAISEMOPRE SITHOLE They urged the city council to move with pace to improve the drainage system. On Monday, flash floods hit parts of Bulawayo resulting in several houses being flooded with water while some roads were waterlogged. The heavy downpour pounded the city for several hours. In an interview with the Southern Eye, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said they had received complaints from residents about the poor drainage systems. “For example, some of the complaints came from Cowdray Park where residents said that the water was flowing into their houses due to poor drainage systems,” Sibindi said. “In the central business district there are also quite a number of places experiencing the same problem. “Other complaints were received from Pumula South and Old Pumula. I think the BCC needs to come up with teams that will look into these issues because if it is not looked into effectively we may end up losing lives.” He said residents needed to play their part because in some situations, they were responsible for blocking drainage systems through dumping of waste. Meanwhile, Kadoma Progressive Residents Association (KPRA) chairperson George Goliati said the recent incessant rains had exposed that many councils did not improve their drainage systems. “The city's old suburbs, Rimuka and Munhumutapa, have contended with poor drainage systems for over a decade with the council engineering department failing to repair a single drain over the years,” Goliati said. “Rimuka Street particularly near Ndiweni up to Munda Street around Zengwe has endured poor drainage and of late raw sewage is flowing on the streets, putting residents’ lives at the mercy of communicable diseases.” Ibhetshu lika Zulu secretary Mbuso Fuzwayo said: “Our failing economy is the key contributor because the council is no longer servicing its drainage systems like what used to happen in the past. “The prevalence of vendors at all the corners of the city is another factor causing problems because some sell mangoes at places where there are no refuse bins to place litter.” Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni was not available for comment, while the deputy Mayor Mlandu Ncube said he was in a meeting.
Kenya may select the Oxford-AstraZeneca Plc Covid-19 vaccine because it doesn’t require complex cold storage, unlike those of Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc., according to a health ministry official. Firm orders from the U.S. and EU for the latter two inoculations are in place until 2022, which could lead to delays, said Rashid Aman, chief administrative secretary in the health department. Kenya wants to secure quick access to a vaccine as its health system is stretched by the virus, with doctors threatening to join other medical workers in a nationwide strike over working conditions. The AstraZeneca vaccine “seems to be more appropriate for our situation in Africa because it can be stored at temperatures” of other primary vaccines, Aman told reporters. Kenya is open to “take on any vaccine that we are satisfied would be able to protect our people,” he said. Clinical testing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is continuing, with participants from Kenya and South Africa taking part in the global trials. Nurses and clinical officers in Kenya started a strike on Monday in protest at poor working conditions such as lack of protective clothing, and non-payment of risk-allowances. The labor ministry convened a meeting to address the health workers’ demands, Peterson Wachira, chairman of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, said by phone. Doctors postponed postponed their planned industrial action by a fortnight to allow for more talks. Kenya has 89,100 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 1,545 fatalities as at Dec. 8, according to the Ministry of Health. -Bloomberg
