Milton Nkosi
BBC Africa, Johannesburg

I have known South African journalist Jimi Matthews, who has resigned as the acting CEO of public broadcaster SABC, for more than 20 years. 

He is smart, fun and very principled. Many have been asking why he has been silent during the shenanigans at the SABC, especially after it banned showing images of the "destruction of property" during violent protests. 

I have no doubt that writing the resignation letter must have been very difficult for him. I can only say that it was a long time coming.

Therefore it must concern every South African who cares about impartial and fair reporting that a seasoned journalist like Jimi had no option but to step down. 

Image source, AFP

Of course, he is not alone. Three other senior journalists at the SABC are planning to take their employer to the Constitutional Court, challenging the controversial decision not to cover violent protests.

They blame SABC Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng for the ban. He has been criticised by advocacy groups, opposition parties and the Public Protector, but has refused to reverse the decision.

Jimi's resignation and the court action shows that not all SABC staffers are prepared to follow outdated editorial policies like a flock of sheep. 

Many of them are doing amazing work and are disgusted by what is happening to Africa’s biggest broadcaster.

Therefore, there’s hope – not all is lost.  

Image source, afp

The African Athletics Championships ended yesterday with South Africa top of the table with 33 medals, including 16 gold. Kenya finished second with 24 medals, including eight gold.  

The competition is seen as the convergence of Africa's best in track and field but many top stars didn't compete.

Kenya sent a team of fringe athletes without a single one of their superstars. Ethiopia did the same. 

The president of the Confederation of Athletics has already said that athletes who stay away from the next championships in Lagos in 2018 may be banned from representing their countries at global events like the Olympics.

Image source, bbc

Kenyan authorities are investigating if pupils who set fire to their school dormitories did so after being told they could not watch a Euro 2016 match on television.

The trouble happened on Saturday night at a school in the west of the country, local media reports.

It began with a few students throwing stones and shouting "our rights", school principal Andrew Otara said.

Read the full BBC story here

Image source, AFP

Game park officials in South Africa have urged visitors to be careful after a hyena attacked a 15-year-old boy while he was alseep in a tent at the Kruger National Park. 

"People must be aware at all times that there are wild animals around them and they must make sure that their tents are properly closed," SANParks spokesman William Mabasa said, AFP news agency reports.

The boy underwent plastic and reconstructive surgery to his mouth and jaw following the attack at the Crocodile Bridge Camp.

Mr Mabasa said:  

Image source, AFP

Barcelona and Argentina footballer Lionel Messi has announced his retirement form international duty following his teams defeat to Chile in the Copa America.  

"It's not meant for me. For me the national team is over. I've done all I can, it hurts not to be a champion," the 29-year-old said after missing a penalty during the game.

With Barcelona, Messi has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

His only major international honour was Olympic gold in 2008.

Read more

Chris Ewokor
BBC Africa, Abuja

Image source, AFP

The president of the Nigeria's Senate and his deputy are in court in a forgery case which could have widespread political ramifications. 

Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu deny complicity in the alleged forgery of the Senate's Standing Rule last year in order to help them to secure their positions. 

If found guilty they could face up to 14 years in jail. 

Mr Saraki has also been battling another court case in which he is accused of false asset declaration, a charge he denies.  

Image source, AFP

The acting CEO of South Africa's public broadcaster, SABC, has announced his resignation with immediate effect.

"What is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be part of it," Jimi Mathews said in a statement., external

He did not elaborate. 

His decision came just weeks after the SABC was accused of increasingly turning into a state broadcast following its decision not to broadcast the "destruction of property" during violent protests.

Read: Is SABC using apartheid tactics? 

BBC Monitoring

The remains of 19 Ethiopian migrants who suffocated to death in a container in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week were brought back home last night, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation has reported. 

Government officials and family members received the bodies of the men - initially thought to be Somalis - at the Bole International Airport in the capital,  Addis Ababa. 

According to State Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske-Silasie, the youngsters were among 95 people crammed into a container together with fish and groundnuts when they suffocated to death. 

They were believed to be heading to southern Africa. 

Hundreds of young Ethiopian illegal immigrants have been  arrested by police in Kenya and Tanzania and other African countries in recent months.  

This is the first time the government has officially received the bodies of Ethiopian migrants who have died on their way to Middle East or southern African countries. 

Image source, AFP

A 15-year-old South African boy has been bitten by a hyena while he was asleep in a tent at the world famous Kruger National Park, wildlife officials have said, external. 

The boy woke up to find a hyena around his jaw and the animal dragged him by the collar of his pyjama top before sitting on him, local media reports, external.

South Africa's willdlife agency, SANParks, said the boy was rushed to hospital where he received medical treatment. 

The hyena appeared to have crawled through a hole in a parameter fence to enter the camp, where visitors stay, it added. 

Five foreign workers and two locals who were kidnapped last week in oil-rich Nigeria's Cross River state have been freed, police have said. 

The men included three Australians, a South African and a New Zealander working for Australian mining and engineering company Macmahon Holdings.

"Our men are at a safe location, but unfortunately five of them were injured during the incident," Macmahon chief executive Sy van Dyk said at a press conference in Perth, Australia.   

No further details have been given about their abductions or release.  

Kidnapping for ransom has been a long-standing problem in southern Nigeria, particularly in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, where criminal gangs target wealthy Nigerians and expatriate workers. 

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