24 - 31 MAY 2012
I NNER-CITY GAZETTE
NEWS
FOCUS ON AFRICA
President gets beaten up
Bamako - This week protesters burst into transitional President Dioncounda Traore’s office and beat him up. Hundreds of demonstrators stormed the headquarters of the general secretariat next to the presidential palace because they were angry at his appointment. The army told reporters that they shot dead three people during mass protests by supporters of the March Dioncounda Traore coup who were angry at a deal for Traore to remain in office for a year. The violence came a day after ECOWAS warned junta leader Captain Amadou Sanogo to stop making public pronouncements which imply he is still in control. Mali’s Prime Minister Cheick Diarra appealed for calm and ordered the protests to stop. Traore was attacked after a deal was struck with Capt Sanogo for him to remain in office for a year. Ecowas said Mali faces sanctions if the military is involved. Soldiers allegedly allowed demonstrators into Traore’s office. He was unconscious with a head wound when he arrived in hospital, but was later released. The protesters see him as a member of the political class they blame for the country’s problems.
‘Regional peace’ treaty
Birhan Hailu
Sanctions for ruling junta Bissau - The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on military officers preventing the return to constitutional rule; four generals and a lieutenant colonel who will be subjected to a travel ban. The council demands that the Military Command restores constitutional order, including a democratic electoral process, soldiers return to barracks and the Military Command relinquishes authority. The Security Council said it would add an embargo on arms and financial measures if it became necessary. The country was weeks away from holding a presidential runoff election when soldiers arrested the frontrunner and the interim president on April 12. ECOWAS has deployed 600 soldiers there to oversee reform of the army and transition to civilian rule. The ECOWAS troops replace an Angolan force that had the same responsibility. The coup leaders justified the coup by accusing the Angolans of meddling in local affairs. The coup cut short a two-round presidential election expected to be won by former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, who is now in exile in Ivory Coast.
The Hillbrow Magistrate Court has sentenced a 26 year-old man to three years imprisonment for stealing a cellphone. The convict, Tebogo Motshwane is a first time offender and pleaded guilty. He is unemployed and Grade 8 is his highest education.
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia and Sudan have signed a judicial agreement on extradition of criminals. Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Birhan Hailu and his Sudanese counterpart, Mohamed Bushara signed the treaty to ‘enhance regional peace’. Hailu said the new judicial accord will boost their existing multi-lateral cooperation and enhance diplomatic relations. Birhan said the agreement will enable them to arrest crime fugitives who try to hide in either territory. He expressed his country’s readiness to share experience in legal affairs and the justice system, and to promote judicial cooperation with neighbouring Sudan. The Sudanese Justice Minister, Bushara, expressed Sudan’s determination to implement the new agreement and to further cooperate with Ethiopia in other fields. Ethiopia and Sudan also have other security accords including the agreement signed last December not to host each other’s rebel forces in their territory - an agreement aimed at enhancing border security of the two countries, and tackle the military activities of rebel groups on either side.
Peace talks kept on hold
Hassan Ruvakuki
Radio journo faces life jail Bujumbura - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the life sentence request by the prosecution against Hassan Ruvakiki a broadcaster who was arrested following the broadcasting of an interview with a rebel leader. IFJ Africa director Gabriel Baglo argued that giving the floor to a rebel leader should not be criminalized,
and called for the release of Ruvakiki. The Union of Burundi Journalists (UBJ) said Ruvakiki of Radio Bonesha FM appeared at the High Court in Cankuzo, where the chief prosecutor requested a life sentence for a charge of ‘complicity with terrorists’ after visiting Tanzania where he interviewed a rebel leader. In February his defence
complained about judges blocking access to the prosecution files. UBJ president Alexandre Niyungeko said the case was persecution of journalists, and called for Ruvakiki’s release.
Khartoum - In this week’s meeting with Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, AU High-Level Implementation Panel chairman Thabo Mbeki made little progress in resuming talks with South Sudan. Mbeki’s visit was two weeks after the UN Security Council demanded that Sudan and South Sudan discuss key issues including oil, border demarcation, citizenship and Abyei; and reach agreement within three months. The council threatened sanctions on any party deemed not to be in compliance with its decision. Sudan accepted the resolution but insisted that the issue of Juba’s alleged support for rebels be tackled before moving to other items. The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) secretary Ibrahim Ghandour said the Sudanese leader underscored the importance of reaching permanent peace with South Sudan. Last month the Sudanese army recaptured the oilrich region of Heglig inside South Kordofan after South Sudan army briefly seized it. Clashes have Omar al-Bashir ignited fears of the eruption of full-scare war.
HILLBROW POLICE ARRESTS : 14 - 22 MAY 2012
Three years jail for cellphone thief Babalwa Bungane news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
According to the charge sheet Motshwane grabbed the complainant’s phone while she was talking over the line on 12 April in Berea. The magistrate said: “I am concerned that victims are women who are unable to defend themselves. Women in Hillbrow are not able to wear jewellery because of the high crime rate.”
Contravention of court order 2, theft 18, sexual assault 3, assault GBH 19, possession of dagga 6, armed robbery 3, robbery common 13, trespassing and theft 1, murder 3, house breaking and theft 1, driving without license 11, dealing in counterfeit cigarettes 1, drun and driving 19, trespassing 3, assault common 27, hit and run 2, fraud 2, murder and kidnapping 2, shoplifting 11, attempted rape 5, pos-
session of drugs 14, carjacking 2, possession of unlicensed firearm 1, rape 2, theft out of motor vehicle 2. Malicious injury to property 5, fraud 2, indecent assault 1, possession of counterfeit money 1, perjury 1, intimidation 3, pointing of firearm 1, corruption 1, dealing in dagga 1, possession of suspected stolen property 1, house robbery 1, interference in police duties 1, undocumented persons 68
CRIME AWARENESS MARCH On Saturday 26 May 2012, from Hillbrow Police Station to Constitutional Hill at 09h00
Africa Day is commemorated on 25 May every year. This year is the 49th anniversary of founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.
EATERY THAT CHARMS ALL AFRICANS In the corner of Kerk and Goud streets in the Johannesburg CBD lies a restaurant with a rich menu in African cuisine. Opened five years ago, Chama Restaurant offers a variety of African meals which suit everyone from any country in the continent.
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Unlike other restaurants which concentrate only on regional African foods, the restaurant’s manager Harrison Mwanza says theirs seeks to accommodate every African customer. “This is a strictly African restaurant offering African food. A man
Above : Manager Harrison Mwanza and customers inside the eatery. Right : The entrance to the Chama Restaurant.
from Egypt can be accommodated in our menu, it’s very flexible. The guys from Mozambique, Liberia, Lesotho and South Africa eat their lunch here. It’s a perfect place for all Africans of different ages as well,” he adds. The African cuisine includes beef stews with rice or pap, mogodu with pap, vimbombo or amangqina with pap. For something light you can enjoy fried chicken either with rice or chips with a side salad. The ‘village’ chicken with pap or rice, Zambian traditional fried bream or tilapia as it is called in Zambia with pap or rice is also available. Corn heels and pap, kapantan or bait with pap as well okra with pap completes the African dishes. In light meals menu you will find sandwiches, plain or
toasted, toasted chicken with mayonnaise, toasted cheese and tomato, toasted beef with cheese as well as fried egg and beef burger. “The street is a bit quiet, but a lot of people come here for lunch and supper. Most people do not want to cook, so they prefer to have a takeaway, that’s why we have a lot of customers in the afternoon. Other people come from as far as Midrand to enjoy African meals,” adds Mwanza. All meals are served with vegetables. “It’s good to serve your customers food rich in proteins,” he adds. The eatery is open from 6am and closes at 7pm. A braai facility is also there, just outside the restaurant. For more details about the meals contact Mwanza on 078 393-18841 or 078 160-0349.
To feature your restaurant in this section call Thembi on 011 042 - 8675