TANZANIA'S PRESIDENT MAGUFULI DIES - Real News. Scrolla.Africa

Thursday 18 March
                                              2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

TANZANIA’S PRESIDENT MAGUFULI
DIES

Tanzania's President, John Magufuli, has died.

Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed his death on
state television on Wednesday evening.

Officially, Magufuli died from heart complications at a hospital
in Dar es Salaam.

But there was little doubt from all but official government
mouthpieces that he died of complications related to Covid-19.
It had been widely reported for weeks that he had contracted
the disease.

He would be the first head of state to be killed by the virus.

It is an ironic end. For much of the pandemic, Magufuli has
been a Covid denialist. He declared the country virus-free last
June, despite ample evidence to the contrary. He shrugged off
masks and social distancing, and in February the government
said there were no plans for a vaccine rollout.

Magufuli's Covid position was the latest chapter in a deeply
controversial presidency. He started out in 2015 styling himself
as a no-nonsense anti-corruption crusader. But he became
increasingly autocratic and confrontational, allowing the
security forces to unleash oppressive tactics across the country
- especially against the opposition.

Right up until his death, his loyal defenders in government
claimed he was fine. On 12 March, Al Jazeera quoted Prime
Minister Kassim Majaliwa blaming reports of Magufuli's illness
on “hateful” Tanzanians living abroad.

“Tanzanians should be at peace. Your president is around,
healthy, working hard. To spread rumours that he is sick is just
an outcome of hate,” Majaliwa said.

Vice-President Hassan said there would be 14 days of national
mourning and flags would fly at half mast.

Tanzanians will meanwhile be watching the transfer of power
closely.

In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, Magufuli’s sworn enemy,
exiled Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu - who in 2017
survived 16 bullet wounds at the hands of an assassin believed
to have been sent by Magufuli’s government - quoted the
American writer Mark Twain.

"I have never wished a man dead, but I have read some
obituaries with great pleasure."

Fake parcel used by post office robbers
contained bricks
Kabelo Tlhabanelo

                When two men entered the Bainsvlei Post Office
                in Bloemfontein no one suspected they had
                ulterior motives.

After all, they had a box that they were going to ‘post’.

What the staff at this post office didn't know was that the men
were pretending to be clients carrying a ‘parcel’ that was later
found to be a lot of bricks.

Minutes later, four female staff were overpowered by the men
and over R100,000 in cash was stolen.

The news of the robbery that took place on Tuesday soon
spread around the township and got local residents worried if
they will receive any of their Sassa grants.

Mathabo Mapesa, 37, said it would be a blow for her and her
three kids if that had affected Sassa grants negatively.

She told Scrolla.Africa: “The nearest post office is far from here
and requires one to board a taxi. I can't afford the taxi money
for me and my kids that also pay. I just wish robbers could stay
away from the post offices because we all know they pay a lot
of Sassa grants to millions of people. This is stealing from the
poor.”

Resident Piet van Rooi, 72, told Scrolla.Africa: “All I care about
is my pension money. I have been told that on grant pay day, I
will receive my money in full.”

Sassa spokeswoman Motshewa Maleka said: “No, robberies do
not affect the grants, our people should not worry.”

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed the
robbery and said the manhunt for the two suspects had been
launched.

A source who wished to remain anonymous said an amount
totalling R118,000 was taken by the suspects.

“The staff was terrified but we are grateful that they are still
alive. The money was getting ready to be taken for banking
when the incident happened. There was shock to see bricks
inside the ‘parcel’ box that came with the suspects. I hope they
get arrested before they attempt another robbery and kill
someone.”

Anyone who might have information concerning the incident is
requested to call Warrant Officer Lebohang Abram Marema at
082 466 7255, or the nearest police.

Man drowns during cleansing ritual
Lungani Zungu

A cleansing ritual turned tragic when a man
drowned as a traditional healer held him under
the water in a river in the Injisuthi Gorge in the
Drakensberg on Tuesday night.

The body of the 43-year-old Thabani Mkhize is still to be
recovered.

The traditional healer only known as Ndlovu declined to talk to
Scrolla.Africa.

Mkhize’s brother Muzi said they don’t want to point fingers at
anyone for his brother’s drowning at this stage.

“Our focus right now is to get his body. And we don’t know at
this stage whether he is dead or alive,” said Muzi.

“Many people disappear under the water but come back to
their families later.”

Mkhize has four children.

A family member said Mkhize told them he would visit a
sangoma to cleanse himself after his girlfriend of five years had
a miscarriage, a common practice in Zulu culture.

The member said when Mkhize drowned the traditional healer
jumped out of the gorge.

He then informed the family of Mkhize’s accident and the
family told the police.

The family insists that some people disappeared for decades
and come back alive.

Two months ago two people drowned while performing a
ritual.

Provincial police confirmed the accident and said search efforts
were still underway.

Enhle Mbali: Abuse is not normal!
Dylan Bettencourt

Enhle Mbali, the actress formerly married to popular DJ Black
Coffee, has spoken out on gender-based violence (GBV) and the
impact it has on women.

“Women are killed on a daily basis at the hands of men. And we
continue as if it is normal. ABUSE IS NOT NORMAL!” she
tweeted.

A further tweet said: “Men will pay their way through,
atrocities. And the victims of abuse are victimised! THIS MUST
STOP!”

These tweets did not reference any personal experiences but
reports by Daily Sun said Mbali was physically harmed by her
ex-husband during her 33rd birthday celebrations last week.
The actress has filed for a restraining order against the DJ
following the incident that allegedly took place at their home.

Mbali also claimed this was not the first time Black Coffee had
harmed her. The couple split in 2019 but their divorce has not

been finalised. Their relationship has been well documented
since their divorce two years ago with many fans concerned for
Mbali as the father of two of her children allegedly resorted to
violence when dealing with his ex-wife.

Picture source: @TimesLive

South Africa now has a Wendy Williams
day
Dylan Bettencourt

                From now on, 10 April is Wendy Williams day.

               Speaking on Wendy’s After Show, Williams said
popular radio host Anele Mdoda who had a virtual meeting
with her said that day would be her day.

Williams spoke to Mdoda about her upcoming Wendy Williams
movie and biopic which will be aired on Lifetime Africa on 10
April.

Mdoda took to Twitter to speak about rumours that she told
Williams that she had a day reserved for her in South Africa.

She tweeted: “Yes guys, it was me who told Wendy Williams
that because it is the truth.”

She also tweeted in the early hours of Wednesday morning,
saying: “10 April. @LifetimeSA will screen #WendyWilliams
movie and doccie! You know you will be watching. My
interview with Wendy will play on my radio show the day
before and you can hear about Wendy Williams Day
#AneleandtheClub.”

South Africans expressed the humour behind Mdoda
convincing Williams that she had a holiday dedicated to her.
Although there might be a bit of misunderstanding from
Williams, it provided South Africans with plenty of humour.

Picture source: @AneleMdoda

Cockroach coil kills four
Kabelo Tlhabanelo

Oregolele Mochudi, 32, wanted to get rid of cockroaches in her
house. But she and three of her four children died on Sunday
from inhaling the killer smoke instead.

Oregolele’s brother Modise Mochudi told Scrolla.Africa that his
niece was staying at her RDP house in Thaba Nchu, Free State
with her four children, Gontse,13, 22-months old Andile,
Anathi, 7, and Omphile, 11.

“She bought a coil that she burnt to kill the cockroaches. She
and the kids evacuated the house as the coil was burning and
gave it time to burn out. They went back inside when she
believed all the smoke was out,” he said.

The family started feeling sick and were rushed to hospital
where Oregolele and her three youngest children died.

Only 13-year-old Gontse survived and is receiving treatment in
hospital.

“I still can’t believe that I have lost my family. We need to know
from who she bought the coil. I urge the community not to buy
any of those things.”

The kids’ father Sipho Jack said they had a problem with
cockroaches and Oregolele told him about the poison.

“She told me there was someone who could help with the
poison,” he said.

“I was at work in Bloemfontein when she used the poison. I am
devastated.”

Sipho said he was frustrated that the house has been closed
since Sunday.

“I need the house for the funeral. We can't be meeting people
who bring condolences in the street,” said Sipho.

Sipho said no one in the area had heard of the poison or knew
the person who sold it. He said that the person who sold the
person warned Oregolele to not stay in the house while the coil
was burning.

Ward councillor Leburu Khunou said he had spoken with the
environmental department about the fumigation of the house.

“The process takes time. I have spoken to the family. The
funeral will not be this weekend,” said Khunou.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed the
incident and said police are investigating holding an inquest.

King Zwelithini laid to rest in men-only
service
Lungani Zungu

                President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy
                at the memorial service of King Goodwill
                Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu on Thursday.

The longest-serving monarch of the AmaZulu nation, who led
for 50 years, was laid to rest in a private ceremony on
Wednesday morning.

The service was only attended by men - in line with the king's
wishes.

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Nongoma when the
body of King Zwelithini was transported to the
KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace.

Donning their traditional attires, Amabutho sang, and women
ululated when his coffin passed to his palace.

The family has been keeping the name of King Zwelithini's
successor a secret until he was laid to rest. As reported earlier
this week, there have been tensions in the royal household
over the succession plan.

Prince Mbonisi Zulu, the spokesperson of the royal house, said
the royal house will name King Zwelithini’s successor after the
funeral.

Picture source: Twitter

Taxi killings on rise in Mpumalanga
Dalphine Tagwireyi

                Another two killings related to taxi violence have
                been recorded in Mpumalanga.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi
noted that four separate killing incidents have been recorded
since the beginning of this month with the latest two murders
experienced on Monday.

Taxi driver Jeremia Chabangu was seated in a Mercedes-Benz
minibus at Kwamhlanga Crossroads on Monday evening when a
group of armed suspects in a white VW Golf 7 opened fire on
him. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was certified
dead at the scene.

The suspects fled the scene, heading towards Pretoria.

Later that night at Boekenhouthoek near Kwaggafontein taxi
owner Piet Mahlangu was watching television at home with his
wife when two armed men wearing balaclavas came into the
house.

Brigadier Hlathi said the two suspects who had arrived in a
white Toyota Quantum came in through the kitchen.

“Several shots were fired fatally wounding the man. His wife
sustained injuries on her leg,” he said.

A relative of Mahlangu told Scrolla.Africa that the taxi industry
wars and these killings, as well as killings from February, have
been linked to fights over routes.

“It's so sad. My uncle was doing well and he had acquired a
fleet of taxis. The motive could be jealousy,” he said.

He said he also feared for his life as well and couldn’t say more
or name the culprits.

Jan’s donkey business is back
Judas Sekwela

Lockdown is at level 1 and Jan Mashaba and his
donkeys are back in business.

Jan from Blood River outside Polokwane in Limpopo uses his
donkey carts to collect river- and building-sand and sells it to
residents. He also collects refuse from people’s homes and
dumps it at dumping sites.

“I charge R150 per load of sand and this money helps me
support my family,” he said.

“I love using donkeys because they don’t require fuel and
repairs. I let them graze and drink water while I work with the
sand,” he said.

Jan’s father died when Jan was 11 and he took over the
donkeys.

“He used them for business and he was a breadwinner at
home. There was no one to use them after he died so I
continued with his business,” he said.

He supports his mom and little brother. Jan also cultivates
village farms and charges about R500 depending on the size.

“I saw an opportunity to make good money and I grabbed it
with both hands. I am not embarrassed using donkey carts. I
know my purpose in life,” he said.

“The good thing about the donkeys is they know me and they
listen when I talk to them. They obey my commands,” said Jan.

He has employed three youths to help him.

One of them, Ally Ntini, said he enjoys making money.

“I enjoy working even though some people would mock us as
we drive around when a customer has called us. The good thing
is that I don’t have to think about stealing and robbing people
of their money because Jan pays me,” he said.

Give us a break says Gavin Hunt
Menzi Magubane

While he promises Kaizer Chiefs will give it their all in the
Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on Sunday, coach Gavin
Hunt also said he can't wait for the upcoming Fifa break.

"We need to get through the weekend and we need a break,
that's for sure!" said Hunt.

The Pirates’ match at FNB Stadium will be their 17th this year.

"The Fifa break will help us to revive a bit. You can see we have
mental fatigue from all this playing up and down and our squad
size doesn’t help."

On Tuesday night Chiefs got a point in their CAF Champions
League Group C encounter at Petro de Luanda in Angola.
Though Amakhosi won the first leg at home, things got tough in
Angola.

Hunt said he expected the Tricolours to be stubborn at home.

"The important thing is that my players are fighting, they are
working and they are doing their best. They gave it their all and
I can't fault the players," he said.

A draw in Angola left Chiefs with five points and still in third
place with the same number of points as second place Horoya.
Both teams have as equal a chance as first place Wydad
Casablanca to qualify for the last 16.

They have Wydad at home next on 2 April and Horoya away on
9 April.

"A draw and a win might get us through. But we have Horoya
away and that is going to be tough."

After Sunday's matches DStv Premiership and GladAfrica
Championship club will take a backseat. On Thursday Bafana

Bafana will host Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at
FNB Stadium at 6pm. On Sunday they will take on Sudan away.

Picture source: @sabreakingnews

Black Coffee ignores Covid protocols at
Cape Town gig
Dylan Bettencourt

               Popular DJ, Black Coffee is once again at the
               centre of controversy as videos surface of him
               playing a gig at a full Cape Town venue with
individuals on the dancefloor failing to social distance and not
wearing masks.

Social media has labelled the event as a super-spreader and
inconsiderate to all South Africa as the threat of a third wave of
infections looms for the nation.

The above tweet shows the incident which took place over the
weekend with attendees clearly not following any Covid-19
protocols with guests not wearing masks or keeping a safe
distance between each other.

Ross Bowers, marketing and communications manager at The
Silo Hotel where the event took place spoke to IOL and said:
“The whole of The Silo Hotel, including all accommodation, was
booked out privately on Saturday in accordance with Covid-19
regulations and restrictions on capacity. All protocols were
adhered to on arrival and check in. Because it was private, the
hotel was closed to the public.”

Picture source: @eNCA

City and Real march into the quarter-
finals
Menzi Magubane

Not only did Manchester City and Real Madrid
avoid the embarrassment of being knocked out
of the UEFA Champions League in the last 16,
they did so in style!

City beat German outfit Borussia M'gladbach 2-0 to win the tie
4-0 on aggregate.

And Pep Guardiola's men were not complacent in the return leg
at home. Their 2-0 win at home on Tuesday made them the
second English team after Liverpool to qualify for the quarter-
finals.

This weekend City will take a break from their league duties and
focus on the Emirates FA Cup. They play Everton away in the
quarter-final on Sunday.

Real Madrid won the first leg 1-0 in Italy but they still went on
to beat Atalanta 3-1 at home, winning 4-1 on aggregate.

Los Blancos could be the only Spanish team to progress to the
quarter-finals after Barcelona and Sevilla were knocked out last
week.

Their city rivals Atletico Madrid have it all to do at Stamford
Bridge against Chelsea on Wednesday night after they were
beaten in their home game last month in Bucharest.

Madrid and City avoided what happened to Juventus and
Barcelona last week. Juve and Barca became the first giants to
fall early in this competition when they were beaten by FC
Porto and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

On Saturday Los Blancos have an important match away at
Celta Vigo to try and defend their title. Madrid are in third place
and six points behind leaders Atletico.

Picture source: @uefachampionsleague

Mosimane revives Ahly's title hopes
Timmy T Maranda

Coach Pitso Mosimane’s side Al Ahly have
bounced back from a recent run of poor results
and revived their title hopes with an emphatic 3-
0 victory over DR Congo Side AS Vita on Tuesday in Kinshasa.

Goals from Mohamed Sherif, Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdy and
Taher Mohamed helped the defending champions move back
to second position in Group A with seven points and three
points behind Group leaders Simba SC.

Mosimane revived the Red Devils’ title hopes after a winless
run in the CAF Champions League matches where they suffered
a 1-0 defeat to Simba SC in Tanzania and a 2-2 all draw at home
against Vita Club in Egypt.

The emphatic victory was a relief for South African-born
Mosimane who had come under fire after an away loss to
Simba SC and a draw at home.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian side Simba SC's great run continued in
the CAF Champions League following a 3-0 victory over
Sudanese side Al-Merrikh in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Two first half goals from Luis Miquissone and Mohamed
Hussien and a second half goal from Chris Mugalu ensured that
Simba SC edged closer to quarter-final qualification.

Mosimane's side could seal qualification for the knockout stage
in their next match against struggling Al-Merrick of Sudan in the
first week of April.

Picture source: @FIFAclubworldcup