Africa News and Discussions

[caltrek]

Ethiopian Court Extends 3-month Detention of AP Journalist
March 18, 2022

https://www.courthousenews.com/ethiopia ... ournalist/

Introduction:

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP via Courthouse News) — An Ethiopian court has extended the three-month detention without charges of journalist Amir Aman Kiyaro to give police 11 more days to interview witnesses, saying after that the state must formally charge him or release him.

Kiyaro, a freelance journalist accredited to The Associated Press, has been in detention since November. The next court date for Kiyaro's case was set for March 29.

“The Associated Press is dismayed by the court’s decision today to continue to detain Amir Aman Kiyaro. He continues to be held without charges," AP Executive Editor Julie Pace said.

“We urge the Ethiopian government to release Amir immediately and end his unjust detention,” Pace said. "As we have said, it is clear he is being targeted for his independent journalism.”

The video journalist was detained Nov. 28 in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, under the country’s war-related state of emergency powers. The state of emergency was lifted in February as the government cited changing conditions in the deadly conflict between Ethiopian forces and those of the northern Tigray region.

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In Water-scarce Zimbabwe, Free Muslim Water Wells are the ‘Kiss of Life’
by Audrey Simango
March 29, 2022

https://baptistnews.com/article/in-wate ... s-of-life/

Introduction:

(Baptist News Global) Decades of water corruption, mismanagement and climate change mean Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, is one of Africa’s thirstiest cities. In some neighborhoods, Muslim families, building on the altruism of their faith, are erecting free, clean public water wells on the doorstep of their properties.

“It’s the kiss of life, the Muslim water!” explained Natasha Bande, 23, a Presbyterian Christian and university student at Harare Institute of Technology who depends on the Muslim-provided free public water to cook and drink safely.

The absence of clean municipal water has defined Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe where nearly 4 million residents live. Climate-change-induced droughts; brazen theft of water purification and pumping funds; an exodus of qualified engineers — all have sealed the city’s water fate.

Worse, 30% of the water piped by authorities is lost through illegal connections and leaks on suburban distribution pipes. The results have not been pretty. On the few days water comes out of city home pipes, the liquid is dirty and smelly. It can be used only for bathing or watering vegetables.

In 2008, hundreds died in the city from contracting cholera, a Medieval disease, by consuming dirty municipal water. This was the worst cholera outbreak in Africa in 15 years.

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International Criminal Court Kicks Off First Trial Over Sudan Conflict
by Molly Quell
April 5, 2022

https://www.courthousenews.com/internat ... -conflict/

Introduction:

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (Courthouse News) — More than 15 years after the U.N. Security Council sent the situation in Darfur for investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the first trial over war crimes in Sudan has begun.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan compared Tuesday’s hearing to iftar, the Muslim celebration of breaking the fast during Ramadan — which began over the weekend — saying it was an “iftar of sorts for the millions who have been waiting for this day to come.”

Former militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, told the International Criminal Court he was innocent of 31 counts of murder, pillaging, rape and torture in the Darfur region of western Sudan at the start of the hearing.

“I reject all of these charges, I am innocent of all of these charges,” he told The Hague-based court. He fidgeted with his blue suit and red tie while Khan played a series of videos about the now decades-old conflict.

The 72-year-old is alleged to have led the government-backed Janjaweed militia in western Darfur, targeting non-Arab ethnic groups in a conflict that is still ongoing. According to prosecutors, he helped recruit and organize the Arab militia group that engaged in an ethnic cleansing program and specifically directed attacks against four villages — Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar and Deleig — between 2003 and 2004. Kushayb surrendered to authorities in the neighboring Central African Republic in June 2020 and has been in ICC custody ever since.

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Ivory Coast Prime Minister and Government Resign
April 13, 2022

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/1 ... er-resigns

Introduction:

(Al Jazeera) Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi has tabled his resignation and that of his government as President Alassane Ouattara plans to slim down the size of the cabinet, Ouattara has said.

Ouattara said he would reduce the government to about 30 ministers from the current 41, with new appointments to be made next week.

A slimmer cabinet will be more efficient and in tune with the global economic climate, Ouattara said during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday at which he accepted the government’s resignation.

“It is imperative to reduce state spending and re-focus on social and security resilience,” he added.

He did not specify which ministerial positions would be cut.

[weatheriscool]

Ivory Coast Prime Minister and Government Resign
April 13, 2022

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/1 ... er-resigns

Introduction:

(Al Jazeera) Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi has tabled his resignation and that of his government as President Alassane Ouattara plans to slim down the size of the cabinet, Ouattara has said.

Ouattara said he would reduce the government to about 30 ministers from the current 41, with new appointments to be made next week.

A slimmer cabinet will be more efficient and in tune with the global economic climate, Ouattara said during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday at which he accepted the government’s resignation.

“It is imperative to reduce state spending and re-focus on social and security resilience,” he added.

He did not specify which ministerial positions would be cut.

Sounds like decent reasoning...I wish they'd move the money to infrastructure and science. Useless government positions are generally blowing into the wind.

[weatheriscool]

Bitcoin becomes official currency in Central African Republic
Source: BBC

The Central African Republic (CAR) has approved Bitcoin as legal tender - just the second country to do so.

CAR is one of the world's poorest countries, but is rich in diamonds, gold and uranium.

It has been wracked by conflict for decades and is a close Russian ally, with mercenaries from the Wagner Group helping fight rebel forces.

Lawmakers voted unanimously to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, said a statement from the CAR presidency.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61248809

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Nigerian Women Fight Skin Bleaching, Colorism in Africa
by Violet Ikong
April 15, 2022

https://www.amjamboafrica.com/auto-draft-3/

(Amjambo Africa!) The sale and usage of skin bleaching cosmetics was banned by the Rwandan government in 2019. South Sudan implemented a similar prohibition in the same year. In South Africa, skin bleaching, also known as skin lightening or skin whitening, was banned in 1990, and in Ghana, it was banned in 2017.

Among Africans with a dark complexion, particularly women, skin bleaching is a prevalent practice. Even in countries where it is prohibited, the practice is widespread among Black women who believe that lighter skin tones are more attractive than darker ones, and that light skin brings privileges and opportunities unavailable to those with dark skin.

In 2011, the World Health Organization reported that 40% of African women bleached their skin. In Nigeria, 77% of women engaged in skin bleaching; in Togo, 59%; in South Africa, 35%; in Senegal, 27% and in Mali, 25%.

In the U.S., $2.3 billion was spent on purchases of skin bleaching creams in 2020. Experts project the global skin bleaching market will reach $12.3 billion by 2027.

“Many people in Africa attribute being light-skinned to ‘pretty privileges’ and success,” said Anita Benson, a Nigerian dermatologist and founder of Embrace Melanin Initiative, a nonprofit that works to eradicate colorism and harmful skin practices in Africa.

caltrek's comment: It is quite sad to read that prejudice based on skin tone is apparently quite prevalent even in Africa.

On a lighter note, it reminds me of an observation I made to my co-workers in a largely Hispanic community in which I worked for a couple of years. That is that White women often bought tanning products and deliberately exposed themselves to the sun to darken their skin color, while Hispanic women often bought and applied make up products to lighten up their skin color.

Outside prejudice aside, it would seem that no one is happy with who they are, and that the grass is always greener for another group.

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Somalia's New President Elected by 327 Members of Parliament
by Mohamud Ali
May 16, 2022

Introduction:

(BBC) Somalia's former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been elected president after a final vote that was only open to the country's MPs.

He defeated the current president, Mohamed Abudallahi Farmajo, who has been in office since 2017.

The ballot was limited to Somalia's 328 MPs due to security concerns over holding a wider election, and one of them did not cast a vote.

Mr Mohamud received 214 votes, defeating Mr Farmajo who won 110 votes.

Three MPs are reported to have spoiled their ballots.

Read more from the BBC here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61438047


Prior to the selection of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Amjambo Africa! had an interesting background article: https://www.amjamboafrica.com/a-sense-o ... president/

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Somalia is an instance where the invocation of a noninterference doctrine on the part of the United States government might not be such a bad idea.

Human Rights Group Urges Civilian Safeguards as Biden Sends Troops Back to Somalia
by Brett Wilkins
May 21, 2022

Introduction:

(Common Dreams) Human Rights Watch on Friday implored the U.S. military to prioritize protecting Somali civilians after President Joe Biden signed off on the re-deployment of hundreds of Special Forces troops to the war-torn African nation, where American drone and other airstrikes have killed at least scores of noncombatants in recent decades.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby announced earlier this week that a "small, persistent U.S. military presence" of around 500 troops would return to Somalia 17 months after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the approximately 750 American service members who were in the country waging and supporting the so-called War on Terror under United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The U.S., which has been targeting the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab since the 2000s, most recently bombed Somalia in February.

"U.S. officials should be very clear on how their forces will avoid harming Somali civilians during military operations," Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said in a statement. "They will need to work closely with Somali and African Union authorities to avoid repeating past laws of war violations and promptly and appropriately respond to civilian loss."

The U.S. has carried out at least 200 drone strikes and an indeterminate number of other aerial bombardments of Somalia since 2004, according to the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The U.K.-based monitor group Airwars says at least 68 and as many as 143 Somali civilians have been killed by U.S. drones and warplanes since 2007.

"Human Rights Watch reported on two U.S. airstrikes, on February 2 and March 10, 2020, that killed seven civilians in apparent violation of the laws of war," HRW notes. "While the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) acknowledged responsibility for the February 2 incident, which killed a woman and injured her two sisters, both children, and her grandmother, none of them received compensation."

Read more here: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/ ... ck-somalia

[weatheriscool]

Children among 31 killed at church fair stampede in Nigeria
Source: AP

By CHINEDU ASADU

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A stampede Saturday at a church charity event in southern Nigeria left 31 people dead and seven injured, police told The Associated Press, a shocking development at a program that aimed to offer hope to the needy. One witness said the dead included a pregnant woman and many children.

The stampede at the event organized by the Kings Assembly Pentecostal church in Rivers state involved people who came to the church’s annual “Shop for Free” charity program, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokeswoman.

Such events are common in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, where more than 80 million people live in poverty, according to government statistics.

Saturday’s charity program was supposed to begin at 9 a.m. but dozens arrived as early as 5 a.m. to secure their place in line, Iringe-Koko said. Somehow the locked gate was broken open, creating a stampede, she said.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-stam ... d350e3dd34

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Putin, African Union Head Meet Friday to Discuss Food Crisis
June 2, 2022

Introduction:

(Al Jazeera) Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the head of the African Union for talks focused on grain supplies and political cooperation amid Kremlin’s standoff with the West over Ukraine.

Washington and Brussels have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine, pushing Putin to seek new markets and strengthen ties with countries in Africa and Asia.

Cereal prices in Africa, the world’s poorest continent, have surged because of the slump in exports from Ukraine, sharpening the impact of conflict and climate change and sparking fears of social unrest.

On Friday, Putin will receive Senegalese President Macky Sall, who chairs the African Union, at his Black Sea residence in Sochi.

The visit is aimed at “freeing up stocks of cereals and fertilisers, the blockage of which particularly affects African countries”, along with easing the Ukraine conflict, Sall’s office said on Thursday.

Read more here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/ ... od-crisis

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The US’ Forever War: Biden’s Decision to Deploy Troops to Somalia
by Abhishek Mishra and Arushi Singh
June 6, 2022

Introduction:

(The Observer Research Foundation) Somalia has been stated to be a long-overlooked and overdue part of the counterterrorism strategy of the United States (US) in Africa. Owning to the generation of persistent fear due to the ill-fated ‘Operation Restore Hope’ that was part of a multinational force, the United Task Force (UNITAF), and getting immortalised in the Black Hawk Down in 2001, solidified the legacy of US intervention in Somalia in the minds of US public and leaders.

US President Joe Biden recently signed an order authorising the US military to once again redeploy hundreds of Special Operations Forces in the war-torn nation. This move largely reverses former President Donald J. Trump’s decision to withdraw 700 troops from the country in 2020. Following the decision, US troops training and advising Somali and African Union forces have made short and periodic stays in the country. However, this system of rotating in and out and being in transit was considered to be dangerous, expensive, and ineffective. The back-and-forth mobilisation of forces presented considerable risks for the US and allied troops. Previously, the Obama administration had lasered in on the country with the help of “Special Operations troops, airstrikes, private contractors and African allies.” This approach in the past had resulted in the death of allied soldiers and continuous risk of escalation.

To maximise the safety and effectiveness of the US and allied forces, a persistent on-the-ground presence is required that would enable “a more effective fight against Al-Shabaab.” Currently, Biden’s hand has been forced by reports that have indicated that there could be a 71 percent increase in attacks by Al-Shabaab militants. The group, which is al-Qaeda’s largest and wealthiest affiliate, continues to have the capability to strike neighbouring countries and directly pose a threat to the US citizens and interests. This was evident when the group carried out a deadly attack on an American air base in Manda Bay, Kenya in 2020.

Read more here: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ ... omalia/

(VOA News) WASHINTON — Somalia’s newly elected president is welcoming word that U.S. special operation forces will again be based in Somalia to help in the fight against the al-Shabab terror group.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked U.S. President Joe Biden in a tweet Tuesday, calling the United States “a reliable partner in our quest to stability and fight against terrorism.”

Read more here: https://www.voanews.com/a/new-somali-p ... 228.html

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West African Leaders Concerned About French-Speaking Republics’ Transition to Constitutional Rule
by Kester Kenn Klomegah
June 8, 2022

Introduction:

(Eurasia Review) The West African military leaders in the republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea are dragging their feet and adamant to restoring democracy and early constitutional rule suggested several times by the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).

These three military leaders have been under pressure to restore democracy since they toppled their governments and failed on their separate individual promises to hold constitutional elections, prompting sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The African Union has also imposed sanctions for showing disrespect and absolutely violating the collective protocols adopted by the continental organization.

During the early June meeting, the ECOWAS leaders failed to agree what action to take against military juntas in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali, postponing the decision until the next ECOWAS meeting on July 3. The leaders, particularly over Mali, were desirous whether to ease or ramp up sanctions imposed in January after its military regime announced plans to stay in power for another five years.

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo opened the last meeting, attended by the heads of state of the 15-member countries but without representatives from Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali. The meeting re-examined and critically assessed the situations in the three republics in light of recent developments within the regional and global contexts. The primary objective has always been to find ways to help these countries return to constitutional order.

Reports monitored confirm that Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali are currently suspended from ECOWAS bodies. While Mali has already been slapped with sanctions, the other two countries risk further punitive measures from the bloc after ruling juntas in their respective capitals vowed to hold on to power for another three years.

Read more here: https://www.eurasiareview.com/08062022- ... rule-oped/

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Russia Abandons Zimbabwe’s Biggest Platinum Project
by Kester Kenn Klomegah and In Depth News
June 11, 2022

Introduction:

(Eurasia Review) Several reports monitored this month confirmed that Russians have abandoned their lucrative platinum project contract that was signed for US$3 billion in September 2014, the platinum mine in the sun-scorched location about 50 km northwest of Harare, the Zimbabwean capital. Reasons for the abrupt termination of the bilateral contract have still not been made public, but Zimbabwe’s Centre for Natural Resource Governance pointed to a lack of capital for the project. So, the site has been abandoned since early 2021.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov launched the US$3 billion Russian project back in 2014, after years of negotiations, with the hope of raising its economic profile in Zimbabwe. The project, where production is projected to peak at 800 000 ounces yearly, involves a consortium consisting of the Rostekhnologii State Corporation, Vneshekonombank and Vi Holding in a joint venture with some private Zimbabwe investors as well as the Zimbabwean government.

Most officials often speak about Russia, claiming that Zimbabwe has had good and time-tested relations from Soviet days, among others, supporting Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF against the West. Since the collapse of the Soviet era, Russia continues to maintain close political relations but its economic engagement has staggered. Russia has attempted to raise its economic profile, the latest considered an important milestone was in September 2014 when Russia declared interest in the development of a platinum deposit in Darwendale.

Bloomberg News Agency reported on June 3 on the complicated ownership of Darwendale. It said the output was initially expected to begin in 2021, but Russian links and a lack of capital aren’t the only reasons for the delayed project.

The Zimbabwean government says it controls Kuvimba. But its assets, including the stake in Great Dyke, are the same as those owned until at least late 2020 by Sotic International Ltd. That company is linked to Kudakwashe Tagwirei, an adviser to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom over corruption allegations.

Read more here: https://www.eurasiareview.com/11062022 ... -project/

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Nigeria's Ruling Party Picks Tinubu for 2023 Presidential Ticket

(All Africa) After months of intense horse-trading among various power blocs within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, has been chosen as its presidential candidate for the upcoming 2023 elections.

In the lead-up to the primary elections, nine other candidates withdrew from the race and pledged their delegates to Tinubu.

Incumbent Muhammadu Buhari's tenure ends in 2023.

To become president, Tinubu will have to defeat the People's Democratic Party flag bearer Atiku Abubakar - his former business partner and another founding father of the APC - as well as Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the general elections scheduled for February 2023.

The next Nigerian president will need to grapple with persistent inflation, slow growth, and high unemployment as the country struggles to recover from its worse recession in four decades in 2020. Bandits and Islamic insurgents also continue to pose a deadly threat.

Read more here: https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/ ... 2419.html


Nigerians on June 12 Await Dividends of Struggle For Democracy
June 12 , 2022

Introduction:

(All Africa) June 12 was declared Democracy Day by the Buhari administration to celebrate the late Chief MKO Abiola's victory in the presidential election on June 12, 1993 - judged as the most fair elections held in the country. The annulment of the election by the General Ibrahim Babagida junta followed, resulting in a struggle by pro-democracy activists supported by labour unions and student associations, among other pressure groups, to revalidate that election.

In its shift to civilian rule following the death of military leader Sani Abacha in June 1998, a month before Abiola died in prison, Nigerians were promised dividends of democracy - good governance, rule of law, respect for human rights and social justice, a fight against corruption, economic empowerment and a better standard of living which they felt were denied them under the military junta. However this has largely still not materialised for many Nigerians, writes Leadership.

Now as the 2023 election race heats up, today's celebrations provides a fertile ground for President Muhammadu Buhari; presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to set the pace for their campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election. Nigerians live in hope that the dividends will materialise this time around.

Read more here: https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/ ... 2443.html

[caltrek]

‘Could have been rescued’: 15,000 Sheep Drown in Sudan Port
June 12, 2022

Introduction:

(Al Jazeera) An overladen ship crammed with thousands of sheep sank on Sunday in Sudan’s Red Sea port of Suakin, drowning most animals on board but with all crew surviving.

The livestock vessel was exporting the animals from Sudan to Saudi Arabia when it sank after several thousand more animals were loaded on board than it was meant to carry.

“The ship, Badr 1, sank during the early hours of Sunday morning,” a senior Sudanese port official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It was carrying 15,800 sheep, which was beyond its load limits.”

The official said the ship was supposed to carry only 9,000 sheep.

Another official, who said all crew were rescued, raised concerns over the economic and environmental impact of the accident.

Read more here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/ ... udan-port

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MFS Africa Raises Additional Equity and Debt Capital to Take Its Series C to $200 million
by Tage Kene-Okafor
June 14, 2022

Introduction:

(TechCrunch) Pan-African digital payments network, MFS Africa, has raised $100 million in equity and debt, additional funding that takes its Series C round to $200 million. African investment manager Admaius Capital Partners led the new round.

Investors from its first Series C round like AfricInvest FIVE and CommerzVentures doubled down while the fintech also received capital from new investors: Vitruvian Partners and AXA Investment Managers. Debt financing came from Stanbic IBTC Bank, a Lagos-based bank, and Symbiotic.

Per MFS Africa’s statement, the new investment will allow it to achieve four objectives. First, continue its expansion plans across Africa. It will also help it further integrate into the global digital payment ecosystem. Then expand into Asia and create cross-border payments synergies with Africa via a joint venture with LUN Partners. And carry out its growth plans for BAXI, a startup it acquired late last year.

These plans mirror what founder and CEO Dare Okoudjou told TechCrunch last November when the company announced its first $100 million tranche. At the time, the Baxi acquisition was still pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the country’s apex bank. Not only has the purchase been approved, BAXI now possesses two licenses to operate in the country: The Payment Service Solution Provider (PSSB) and Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) licenses. The PSSP license allows BAXI to build gateways that process payments for third-party merchants, and the PTSP license gives BAXI the go-ahead to deploy its point-of-sale terminals for agency banking.

MFS Africa, known for its acquisition-led expansion plays, just last week acquired U.S.-based Global Technology Partners (GTP) in a cash-and-shares deal worth $34 million. The Africa-focused and London-based company connects over 320 million mobile money wallets across 35+ African countries and 700 corridors. But despite these connections across borders, millions of Africans can’t still use their mobile money accounts to pay for subscription-based services run by international companies such as Netflix and Amazon.

Read more here: https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/14/mfs- ... -to-200m/

[caltrek]

Angola Tries Out Freedom Of The Press, But Will They Go All In?
by Kristi Pelzel
June 18, 2022

Introduction:

(Eurasia Review) Over the last five years, the current president of Angola, João Lourenço, has held several unscripted press briefings. The last one was two hours of back and forth between Lourenço and twelve journalists.

While this seems typical for western countries, it’s almost unheard of in Angola, much less Africa. This, in part, is due to the 40-year rule of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which only recently allowed for a multiparty system and, therefore “free” press.

From 1979 to 2017, José Eduardo dos Santos was Angola’s President, during which time the MPLA instituted a one-party state, and government propaganda was rampant. Disinformation was so typical that even today, many Angolans don’t trust the media. In a 2017 study by Afrobarometer, only 24% of respondents in Angola said they had “a lot” or “some” trust in the media.

This is likely because, for much of Angolan history, the media has been used as a mouthpiece for the government.

The MPLA’s Angolan Radio and Television (RTA) was the only media outlet until 1992 when the government allowed a second radio station. This, however, was short-lived as the government soon revoked the station’s license.

Read more here: https://www.eurasiareview.com/18062022 ... analysis/


Angola

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(CNN)South African police probe 17 deaths at East London tavern
Source: CNN

South African authorities were on Sunday investigating the deaths of at least 17 people at a tavern in East London.

Police do not know if there are any survivors from the incident because it’s unclear how many people were in the Enyobeni Tavern in the first place, Eastern Cape Police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana told CNN.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, and many people have gathered at the scene trying to find loved ones.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/26/africa/s ... index.html

[weatheriscool]

22 Found Dead Inside South African Tavern
Source: ABC Breaking News

The South African Police Service said they were found dead inside a local tavern in Scenery Park in the area of East London, according to Police Spokesperson Brig. Tembinkosi Kinana.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/17 ... csid=49566