Legal and Judicial Affairs

Some conspiracy enthusiasts posit that mpox was engineered by a shadowy elite aiming to reduce populations and reap profits for "big pharma." According to these theories, individuals who get vaccinated against mpox are doomed to suffer from heart attacks and a host of other grave illnesses. As highlighted by Helen McCarthy in The Conversation Africa, these conspiracies often focus on the LGBTQ+ community, casting suspicion and fear upon them. Misinformation about mpox is blooming, reminiscent of the early stages of the…

In South Africa, the battle for women's rights has reached a new crescendo, with dedicated activists rallying against the anticipated performance of the controversial U.S. artist, Chris Brown. The advocacy group, Women For Change, has initiated a petition aimed at urging both the government and concert promoters to reevaluate the decision to host him in December. The petition articulates a clear demand: the Department of Home Affairs should revoke Brown's visa, thereby preventing him from entering the country altogether.…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has opted not to pursue charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa or anyone involved in the Phala Phala affair, which originated from a criminal complaint lodged by former intelligence official Arthur Fraser back in 2022. Known colloquially as "Farmgate," the controversy erupted when Fraser accused Ramaphosa of covering up the theft of $4 million after a burglary at the president's Phala Phala game farm. The president firmly rejected these allegations, asserting that the funds taken…

The government of Burkina Faso is sharpening its focus on a nationalistic approach to news and information dissemination, as noted by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Recently, the Superior Council for Communication (CSC), which oversees media regulations in Burkina Faso, imposed a ban on the rebroadcast of foreign radio programs effective immediately. This decision follows a three-month suspension of the Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts in the country. This move highlights a growing trend in which the government seeks…

On September 27, tragic news emerged from Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a military airstrike aimed at combating notorious criminal gangs, widely referred to as bandits, resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries among innocent civilians. This grim incident has been reported by various media outlets, with Human Rights Watch highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding. Calls for accountability, unwavering justice, and increased transparency have echoed through the community, yet the echoes seem to fall on deaf…

In a striking move, the state-run National Handling Services (NHS) has sent several senior executives home amid serious allegations of corruption, ineptitude, and failures in corporate governance. Among those suspended are Godknows Maravanyika, Question Maisera, and Shamiso Nyangairi, who heads the Human Resources department. These individuals face accusations of financial improprieties and mismanagement of company assets. The atmosphere within NHS resembles a stormy sea, as discontent among employees reaches a boiling…

Polling stations across Mozambique have swung wide open for a gripping general election. Citizens are stepping up to the ballot box to choose a new president, provincial governors, and representatives for parliament. At the forefront of the race is the ruling party, Frelimo, putting forth the candidacy of Daniel Chapo. Chapo aims to take the helm from Filipe Nyusi, the sitting president who has served a full two-term limit. Frelimo has exerted control over Mozambique since it gained independence from Portuguese colonial…

Tragically, at least 78 individuals have lost their lives, with many more unaccounted for, following a boat capsizing incident on Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This calamity unfolded as a heavily overloaded vessel, packed with over 300 passengers, approached the shoreline of Goma after departing from the town of Minova in South Kivu. Unfortunately, this incident is just one of many that have occurred on Lake Kivu. Earlier this year, specifically in February 2024, another boat tragedy struck near Bahimba,…

The Nigeria Emergency Management Agency has reported a grim development: 14 bodies have been retrieved from the waters of central Niger State. Unfortunately, around 150 passengers are still unaccounted for following a tragic boat capsizing incident. According to officials, the boat overturned after it was overloaded, carrying about 300 passengers from the Mundi community. These individuals had congregated for a religious event in the nearby Gbajibo village. Of those on board, 150 were successfully rescued, leaving a…

In the past nine years, Angola has reported a concerning 200 instances of human trafficking. Ana Celeste Januário, the Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, shared these alarming statistics during a thematic meeting in Luanda focused on the Program for the Promotion of Human Rights. Januário highlighted that the provinces particularly beset by this grave issue include primarily border regions as well as the capital, Luanda. She strongly encouraged citizens to follow established laws and engage in commerce…