A twelve-year old albino boy was killed late yesterday by armed men in the central
Burundi district of Kiganda in what authorities suspect could be linked to witchcraft.
Albino hunters kill their victims and use their blood and body parts for potions. Witchdoctors tell their clients that the body parts will bring them luck in love, life and business.
“The twelve-year-old albino was killed by four men with guns and knives. They cut off his left hand and fled away with it,” Kiganda administrator Joseph Ntahuga, told Reuters today.
Ntahuga, a government official in the district 80 km from the capital Bujumbura, said the victim had two other albino siblings.
The murder brings to 14 the number of albinos killed in the tiny central African country since 2008.
The coffee producing nation of 8 million people has around 500 albinos, who lack pigment in their skin, eyes and hair.
Burundian authorities believe the killings are carried out local residents who work with witchdoctors in neighbouring Tanzania, where 53 albinos have been killed since 2007 for their body parts, which are sold for use in witchcraft. There are around 170,000 albinos living in Tanzania.
Wading through the muddy waters this rare pink-o-pottamus stands out from the crowd.
British brothers and wildlife photographers Will and Matt Burrard-Lucas captured these images of the brightly coloured hippo in the Masai Mara, Kenya, last week.
Visiting the African country on the hunt to photograph the legendary wildebeest migration the Londoners were in for a treat when rumours of a pink hippo surfaced.
Shy guy: As soon as the hippo notices the brothers snapping away on their cameras, he hides in the water behind his mother
Kenyan authorities have intercepted more than two tonnes of elephant tusks and rhino horns disguised as fruit destined for export to Malaysia.
Most of the tusks seemed to have been collected from natural deaths of about 150 elephants and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said it was yet to determine their origin.
“The cargo, which was falsely declared as containing only fresh avocado fruits, was packed in 12 wooden boxes, which raised a red flag due to its mode of package, weight and destination,” KWS said in a statement today.
Inside, it found 317 elephant tusks and five rhino horns.
This year alone, authorities have intercepted wildlife contraband in Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong, KWS said.
A Kenya Wildlife Service officer stands guard near the shipment of elephant tusks and rhino horns intercepted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the capital Nairobi today, August 23, 2010
Farrow testifying at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor at the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam August 9, 2010. -
Actress Mia Farrow told a war crimes court yesterday that she had heard supermodel Naomi Campbell say she had been given a “huge diamond” by Charles Taylor when he was Liberia’s president.
Campbell told the Special Court for Sierra Leone last week she had been given “dirty looking pebbles” after a 1997 dinner in South Africa, but did not know if they were diamonds from Taylor, on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In court yesterday, Farrow said the British model had joined a group of guests at breakfast after the charity dinner, hosted by South African president Nelson Mandela, and had started relating something that had happened overnight.
A frame grab shows British supermodel Naomi Campbell testifying at the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam August 5, 2010.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell said yesterday she had nothing to gain from being untruthful in her testimony about alleged “blood diamonds” and said suggestions she did not care about suffering in Africa were hurtful.
In a statement issued five days after testifying in The Hague at the war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor, Campbell described herself as “a black woman who has and will always support good causes, especially relating to Africa.”
Victim: Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi Mandela (left) and her children were attacked just hours after this photo was taken at his 92nd birthday party
Nelson Mandela's daughter and grandchildren were held up by gunmen after returning from the former South African president’s 92nd birthday party, it emerged today.
Mr Mandela’s daughter, Zindzi Mandela, and her children were attacked by two men as they arrived by car in the driveway of their home in Johannesburg.
They were ordered to lie down, but then the men decided to leave.
Her Royal Highness Zenani Dlamini (L) lights the candles on the cake to celebrate Mr Nelson Mandela's 92nd Birthday
US President Barack Obama on Sunday extended birthday wishes to Nelson Mandela, hailing the former South African leader's "extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit."
"On behalf of the United States, I wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 92nd birthday. We are grateful to continue to be blessed with his extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit," the US president said in a statement.
Stampede: Police attempt to restrain fans as they burst through the gates ahead of a warm-up match between North Korea and Nigeria in Johannesburg
Rush: Fans could be seen falling over as people attempted to get into stadium
Security concerns: Police hold the gates shut, above, but were powerless to stop the rush of people, below
Bloodied: An injured supporter walks away from the stampede in Johannesburg
Fears over how South Africa will deal with 350,000 visiting supporters to the World Cup were highlighted after a terrifying stampede at a pre-tournament friendly.
Ten people were taken to hospital - with one police officer suffering serious injuries - after 1,000 spectators rushed to get into the friendly match yesterday between Nigeria and North Korea at the Makhulong Stadium in Johannesburg.
Disturbing scenes showed children being taken away with blood pouring from their faces.
The images will unnerve the game's governing body FIFA which has resisted claims that South Africa does not have the infrastructure and organisation to stage the tournament.
Sarkozy made clear that France was back in force on the trade and business front
Sarkozy noted that east African countries did not have the naval forces needed to root out piracy off the Somali coast
Resource-rich Africa needs a stronger voice: Sarkozy
France on Tuesday moved to shore up its businesses in Africa that have fallen far behind China's massive investment drive on the continent, at a summit hosted by President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The two-day gathering in the Riviera city of Nice saw France shift its focus away from its traditional west African allies and engage with the continent as a whole, reaching out to economic powerhouses South Africa and Nigeria.
In a first, 80 French business leaders including top bosses at oil giant Total and nuclear behemoth Areva took part in summit talks along with 150 heads of African companies.
Total joined Areva, construction giant Bouygues and environment leader Veolia in launching a solar power project for southern Africa to generate badly-needed electricity with state-of-the-art French technology.
South Africans queue to buy tickets as the final round of sales begins for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup in Soweto township, near Johannesburg, April 15, 2010.
Tourists in South Africa including soccer fans heading to the World Cup must guard against mosquito bites and avoid contact with raw meat due to an outbreak of Rift Valley fever, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.
Officials in South Africa, the host of the 2010 World Cup from June 11 to July 11, have reported 172 human cases of the animal viral disease this year, including 15 deaths, it said.
Robert Mugabe (2nd L) introduces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) to unidentified Zimbabwean army chiefs
Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe (R) welcomes Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Zimbabwean greet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his arrival at Harare Airport
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday condemned "satanic pressures" on Zimbabwe and his own country which he said were fighting to maintain their sovereignty, during a visit to Harare.
"Iran and Zimbabwe are two countries that continue the effort to maintain their sovereignty and freedom," Ahmadinejad said at a dinner with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
"Of course, our strength had provoked the hostility of expansionist countries," he said. "Here, I condemn all pressures, all satanic pressures, pressures on the government and people of Zimbabwe."
"We believe victory is ours and humiliation and defeat for our enemies," he said.
The South African antique luxury Rovos Rail train lays derailed outside the capital Pretoria
Emergency workers search the scene of the train derailment this afternoon
Wrecked: The South African antique luxury Rovos Rail train lays derailed outside the capital Pretoria
A restored vintage train carrying tourists on a luxury rail safari derailed in Pretoria killing three people - including a mother and her baby, which was born after the crash.
Seventeen coaches of the Rovos Rail train, which was near the end of a journey from Cape Town, came off the tracks just outside a station in the city.
Twenty-five other passengers were taken to hospital.
'Patients were strewn all over the scene,' said Werner Vermaak, spokesman for a private ambulance company ER24.
People sing and dance after the suspect in the murder of white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche is led out of court in Ventersdorp, South Africa, Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Whites and blacks have faced off angrily in song in front of a heavily guarded courthouse where a teenager and another farm worker who allegedly confessed to killing a white supremacist leader in a wage dispute have appeared.
Supporter of slain white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche hold a placard reading, Afrikaners on the march to freedom, outside the court in Ventersdorp, South Africa, Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Whites and blacks singing competing national anthems from South Africa's racist past and its democratic reality faced off angrily Tuesday in front of a heavily guarded court preparing for the first hearing of a teenage boy and older farm worker who have allegedly confessed to killing the country's white supremacist leader.
Followers of slain Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche scuffle with police outside the courthouse in Ventersdrop, 140 km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday April 6, 2010, as the two alleged killers are brought to court. Whites and blacks faced off angrily in song Tuesday in front of a heavily guarded South African courthouse before the first hearing of a teenager and another farm worker who have allegedly confessed to killing a white supremacist leader.
One of the suspects, center, with his face covered, in the murder of white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche, is lead out of the court by police in Ventersdorp, South Africa, Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Whites and blacks have faced off angrily in song in front of a heavily guarded courthouse where a teenager and another farm worker who allegedly confessed to killing a white supremacist leader in a wage dispute have appeared.
South Africa's governing party said Wednesday it has asked all its wings to stop singing controversial songs including one with lyrics that encourage people to shoot white farmers which some blame for the slaying of a white supremacist leader.
The African National Congress has rejected any link between the song and Saturday's killing of Eugene Terreblanche, but nevertheless made the decision at a meeting Tuesday as leaders seek to calm racial tensions and quell fears ahead of the first World Cup soccer tournament to be held in Africa.
People sing and dance outside the court in Ventersdorp, South Africa, Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Whites and blacks faced off angrily in song Tuesday in front of a heavily guarded South African courthouse before the first hearing for a teenager and another farm worker who have reportedly confessed to killing a white supremacist leader in a wage dispute.
Black rsidents look at followers of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) slain leader Eugene Terreblanche who gathered outside the courthouse in Ventersdrop, 140 km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday April 6, 2010.Whites and blacks faced off angrily in song Tuesday in front of a heavily guarded South African courthouse before the first hearing for a teenager and another farm worker who have reportedly confessed to killing a white supremacist leader in a wage dispute.
Followers of slain Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche scuffle with police outside the courthouse in Ventersdrop, 140 km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday April 6, 2010, where the two alleged killers are being brought to court. Whites and blacks faced off angrily in song Tuesday in front of a heavily guarded courthouse before the first hearing of a teenager and another farm worker who have allegedly confessed to killing a white supremacist leader in a wage dispute.
VENTERSDORP, South Africa — A racially charged standoff outside a courthouse where a teenager and another black farm worker were charged with killing a leading white supremacist ended peacefully Tuesday — a victory for democracy in South Africa.
The older suspect was walked out of the courthouse hours later to a rapturous welcome from blacks outside who screamed, ululated and whistled their support.
"Hero! Hero! Hero!" they chanted.
"We are celebrating the death of the man who has abused us so much," one woman in the crowd shouted.
The brutal bludgeoning of Eugene Terreblanche, once convicted of beating a black farm worker so badly the man was left brain damaged, has focused attention on simmering racial tensions less than 10 weeks before South Africa hosts the World Cup.
A top member of a South African white supremacist group says the slaying of their leader is "a declaration of war" by blacks against whites.
Andre Visagie also vowed Sunday to avenge the death of Eugene Terreblanche and says his group will warn soccer teams to avoid the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He did not specify what form the vengeance will take.
Terreblanche led the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging movement, which wanted to create three all-white republics that would only allow blacks as guest workers.
Police said he was bludgeoned to death Saturday by two of his farm workers over wages. Terreblanche's followers on Sunday blamed a fiery youth leader for spreading hate speech that led to his killing, a charge the youth leader denied.
Followers of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche gather near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages.
Followers of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche bring flowers to the gate of his property near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages, the South African Press Agency reported
Followers of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche gather near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages
In this Friday Dec. 16, 2005 file photo, South African white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche addresses followers at a rally held downtown Pretoria, South Africa. Leader of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages, the South African Press Agency reported
A follower of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche speaks to South African Police commissioner Bheki Cele, sitting in car, near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wage
South African police officers enter the farm of Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages.
African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema, at a rally in Harare in neighboring Zimbabwe Saturday, April 3, 2010. Followers of South Africa's slain white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche said Sunday, April 4, 2010, they blame Malema for spreading hate speech that led to his killing, amid growing racial tensions in the once white-led South Africa.
Followers of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche gather near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages.
flowers are seen on a gate of the farm of Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terreblanche near Ventersdrop, 140km West of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday April 4, 2010. Terreblanche was attacked and killed at his farm 10km outside Ventersdorp on Saturday, North West police said. Captain Adele Myburgh said Terreblanche, 69, was attacked by a man and minor who worked for him after they allegedly had an argument over unpaid wages.
In this photo taken Friday, April 2, 2010 African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema, third from right, arrives at Harare's International airport for a visit to neighbouring Zimbabwe. Followers of South Africa's slain white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche said Sunday , April 4, 2010, they blame Malema for spreading hate speech that led to his killing, amid growing racial tensions in the once white-led South Africa.
