Disgraced athlete Oscar Pistorius who is serving a 13-year prison sentence for murder has been denied parole, confirms South Africa's Department of Correctional Services.
They say this is because he is not yet eligible, as he has not reached the minimum detention period.
A review has been set for the later date of 5 August 2024.
Image source, AFPAtteridgeville prison is a low-security facility just outside Pretoria
We're following events in South Africa closely, where disgraced athlete Oscar Pistorius is hoping to be released from jail after serving half his 13-year sentence for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.
The lawyer for Ms Steenkamp's parents says a decision on his parole could be reached on Friday.
But the BBC's Andrew Harding, who is outside Atteridgeville prison where the parole hearing is taking place, says it is still not clear when a decision will be made.
And if Pistorius does win parole on Friday, he still won’t be free for some days or more likely weeks, our correspondent adds.
Just before the hearing June Steenkamp said it would be hard to see her daughter's killer again, but in the end he was not in room when she appeared before the board.
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The world through its media
Image source, Getty ImagesThe mistrust between President Kiir and Vice-President Machar (pictured above) has slowed the implementation of the peace deal
South Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar, who is also leader of the opposition SPLM-IO party, has rejected the appointment of Gen Chol Thon Balok as the new defence minister.
The general is from the President Salva Kiir's party and replaces Angelina Teny, Mr Machar's wife, who was sacked a few weeks ago.
A peace deal that ended a brutal five-year civil war splits cabinet posts between Mr Kiir's and Mr Machar's parties.
The SPLM-IO has urged Mr Kiir to revoke Gen Thon's appointment, saying the president should not take such unilateral decisions until the row over the sacking is resolved with his deputy.
The developments threaten the fragile agreement signed in 2018 that is intended to pave the way for elections next year.
Richard Kagoe
BBC News, Nairobi
A police officer who was injured during Thursday’s anti-government protests in western Kenya has died.
Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome said Corp Bernard Oduor died while being treated at an intensive care unit.
He said more than 20 police officers had sustained serious injuries as they repulsed demonstrators in the lakeside city of Kisumu.
In a statement, the police chief condemned the violence and vandalism witnessed during opposition protests in the capital, Nairobi, and other parts of the country.
Six journalists were injured, and their equipment destroyed during the protests that turned violent following clashes between demonstrators and police.
President William Ruto has criticised the protesters, saying the constitution does not permit them to engage in violence.
He said the bi-weekly protests were having a negative impact on the economy and disrupting people’s lives.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has accused the police of brutality against his supporters and warned of what he described as the "mother of all demonstrations" next Monday.
He has alleged that his life is in danger, saying that an assassination attempt was made against him.
There are behind the scenes efforts by religious leaders and US’s envoy to broker a truce as both sides adopt hard-line positions.
Richard Kagoe
BBC News, Nairobi
The US has expressed concern over the safety of Kenyan journalists following reports of attacks as they covered opposition demonstrations.
Press freedom and the protection of journalist are key to democracy, says US Ambassador to Kenya Margaret Whitman.
Six journalists were injured, and their equipment destroyed during the demonstrations that turned violent following clashes between protesters and police.
Image source, The Media Council of Kenya/TwitterOpposition leader Raila Odinga has condemned the vicious attacks on journalists and accused police of brutality against protesters.
The Media Council of Kenya says 25 journalists have been targeted since the start of the demonstrations on 20 March.
The council is contemplating taking legal action against the police for failing to protect journalists and in some instances threatening and detaining them unlawfully.
The National Police Service is yet to comment on the allegations.
Mr Odinga remains defiant and has promised "the mother of all demonstrations" next Monday. He has alleged that his life is in danger, saying an assassination attempt was made against him.
Kenyan businesses have been impacted by the bi-weekly demonstrations and the public is concerned about their safety as both sides adopt hard-line positions.
There are behind-the-scenes efforts by religious leaders and the US president’s envoy to broker a truce.
US Senator Chris Coon was due to meet President William Ruto on Thursday and it is not clear if he met retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday in Mombasa.
A board considers parole for the former Paralympics star who has served half of his murder sentence.
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Image source, Kenya Ice Lions Hockey Team/InstagramWhen you think of Kenya and sport, athletics is the go first thing that comes to mind. You might even think of Rugby Sevens.
But a group of young people have created the nation's only ice hockey team.
The team call themselves the Ice Lions, and their ambitions are as big as making it to the Winter Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey.
Captain Benjamin Mburu and teammate Hanan Yunis tell the Africa Daily podcast that Kenya has just one ice hockey rink in the country, but they remain determined to make to make it a national sport.
Image source, Kelly AyodiAn Ice Lions training session in Nairobi
Image source, Kenya Ice Lions Hockey Team/InstagramThe team on a trip to Canada where they played local teams
The mother of Reeva Steenkamp says it will be "very hard to be in the same room as him... I don’t believe his story... I don’t believe Oscar is remorseful."
June Steenkamp is set to attend Atteridgeville prison near Pretoria on Friday morning for Oscar Pistorius’ parole board hearing. The athlete murdered Reeva Steenkamp in 2013 and is being considered for early release from prison.
Asked again if she believes Pistorius is remorseful, the victim's mother said: "No, never. He’s not remorseful or rehabilitated."
Image source, EPAJune Steenkamp, mother of murder victim Reeva Steenkamp, has arrived at Atteridgeville prison
The parole hearing for former Paralympics star and convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius is "a very traumatic experience" for the parents of Reeva Steenkamp, their lawyer has said.
"It's painful June [Steenkamp] has to face Oscar Pistorius again this morning. He’s the killer of her daughter. For them it's a life sentence," lawyer Tania Koen told reporters on Friday while on her way to Atteridgeville prison.
Pistorius is eligible for parole after serving half of his 13-year sentence for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
Ms Koen said:
Quote MessageThey [Steenkamps] don't feel that he should be released. They feel that he has shown no remorse, is not rehabilitated. Because if he had been, he would have come clean and told the true story of what happened that night."
Quote MessageThey're absolutely still grieving, as you say 10 years to us, it sounds so long in time, but for them, it's 10 missed birthdays, it's 10 Mother's Days, Father's Days, Christmases, so time hasn't healed for them. They've learned to an extent to get used to the idea of her not being there. But they miss it every day."
Image source, Namibian presidency/TwitterDefence minister said the recruits were disqualified on health grounds (file photo)
The Namibian defence minister, Frans Kapofi, has expressed concerns over the high number of recruits who were found unhealthy to serve in the army.
Mr Kapofi said some 1,300 recruits of the October 2022 intake have quit training for unfitness and related health conditions, Windhoek Observer reported.
The minister described the trend as "very alarming".
“This disqualification of the young recruits, due to physical unfitness, pregnancies, health problems and other related issues are a serious concern, and I want to encourage young people to take care of their health,” Mr Kapofi said.
President Hage Geingob announced last week that a fresh round of recruitment of 1,500 soldiers will be done in an effort to fight unemployment in the country.
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Image source, AFPThe Gulf of Guinea has been known as a piracy hotspot (file photo)
The owners of a Danish ship that was seized by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea last Saturday say the hijackers have now abandoned the vessel, taking some of the 16 crew members with them.
Others have been rescued from the Monjasa Reformer, which sails under a Liberian flag.
The owners said on Tuesday that the crew had taken refuge in the tanker's secure room when the five pirates boarded.
Those rescued are reported to be in good health and there has been no damage to the vessel or its cargo.
The vessel was seized west of Porte Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo and located by the French navy off Sao Tome and Principe.
Image source, ReutersPolice tear-gassed vehicles during Thursday's opposition protests
Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga claimed that his car was shot at seven times on Thursday during anti-government protests and said it was an attempt on his life.
In a media briefing, Mr Odinga said police targeted his vehicle and those of other opposition leaders during a protest procession in the Eastlands part of the capital, Nairobi.
He also accused police of targeting journalists during the anti-government protests and claimed there were plans to attack the offices of the leading Royal Media Services group in Nairobi.
Mr Odinga criticised the international community for allegedly ignoring human rights abuses by the authorities during the protests.
He said the opposition would hold a major protest on 3 April to pressure the government to lower the cost of living and carry out electoral reforms, among other demands.
Six journalists were injured during Thursday's protests, raising the number of media practitioners wounded to 22 since the demos began last week.
"The United States is deeply concerned by recent reports of attacks against journalists. Protecting press freedom and safety is a cornerstone of democracy," ambassador Meg Whitman tweeted on Friday morning.
Samba Cyuzuzo
BBC Great Lakes
Image source, M23The M23 spokesman (right) welcomed Ugandan troops to the Bunagana border town
The M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo are withdrawing from the eastern border town of Bunagana and are expected to hand it over to Ugandan peacekeeping troops, the group’s spokesperson has said.
Ugandan troops believed to be in their thousands were on Thursday afternoon seen crossing into the town.
M23 spokesman Major Willy Ngoma told the BBC that they will hand over the town on Friday morning.
The withdrawal is part of a deal brokered by regional heads of state and army chiefs following meetings held in Angola, Burundi and Kenya, Mr Ngoma said.
The town of Bunagana town was once the rebels' headquarters. They recaptured it in last June.
The rebels are meant to withdraw from all areas of Rutshuru, Masisi and Nyiragongo that it has occupied since hostilities resumed last year.
In a statement, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said the country's troops were going in Bunagana “to act as a neutral force as the Congolese use time to sort out their political problems”.
Burundi and Kenya have already deployed troops in territories where the rebels have left. South Sudan is also expected to send in troops.
A relative calm reigns in the war-torn part of the eastern DR Congo, where more than 500,000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
Image source, Getty ImagesSaudi Arabia is a big draw to Ugandans migrant workers (File photo)
Uganda and Saudi Arabia have renewed a bilateral agreement that allows resumption of labour export to the to the gulf country.
The agreement was suspended in December last year following an uproar over alleged mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers.
Some Ugandans migrants were reported to have committed suicide over alleged mistreatment in Saudi Arabia.
Uganda's Labour Minister Betty Amongi said on Thursday that both governments had agreed protect the rights of migrant workers .
In the new agreement, Saudi Arabia employers will no longer unilaterally deduct salaries and Ugandan workers will have recourse to competent authorities in cases of contractual disputes
Both countries will also establish a mechanism to resolve issues on the welfare and rights of domestic workers.
“Both parties are to take legal measures against employers and recruitment agencies for any violation of laws, rules and regulations in either country,” Ms Amongi said.
At least 150,000 Ugandans are living and working in Saudi Arabia with majority of them engaged as domestic workers, according to local media.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe central bank says the cost of replacing worn-out notes was high
The Bank of Ghana has warned the public against using local banknotes as bouquets and hampers when gifting people.
Banknotes folded into bouquets and hampers are common gifts during weddings, birthdays and other celebrations in the country.
But the practice is making it easier for banknotes to spoil or get defaced, said the director of currency department Dominic Owusu.
“Desist from such acts, it is not in line with the policy, so you must stop it. If you want to give a present, go and buy gifts," Mr Owusu said on Thursday.
He said spoilt and worn-out notes are replaced at a high cost that is affecting operations of the central bank.
The bank official also urged the public to preserve the local currency as a symbol of the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Owusu denied reports that the Bank of Ghana was issuing new 500 cedi coins.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe pay offer is less than the 10% rise that public workers were demanding
Government workers in South Africa are to receive a pay rise – bringing to an end months of negotiations and industrial action.
The union representing almost a quarter of a million public servants, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has accepted the government’s offer of 7.5%.
The pay hike will be implemented from 1 April.
The PSA was initially pushing for a 10% pay increase at a time the economy is shrinking.
"Although it's not all that we wanted but we believe that the 7.5% will make much better economic sense to our members given the hardships they find themselves in," said Reuben Maleka, the acting deputy general manager of the PSA.
A section of public servants went on strike early this month after wage talks with the government failed.
Image source, AFPThe Vatican says the "doctrine of discovery" was not part of Catholic Church's teachings
The Catholic Church has formally rejected a 15th Century “doctrine of discovery” used to justify European colonisation of Africa and the Americas.
The doctrine, which was based on decrees set out on the so-called “papal bulls”, was legally invoked by Europeans who "discovered" new lands and often violently seized it from the indigenous people.
But in a statement on Thursday, the Vatican said the doctrine was "not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church" even as it still informs current state policies and laws.
“Historical research clearly demonstrates that the papal documents in question, written in a specific historical period and linked to political questions, have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith," it said.
The Vatican said the Catholic church was acknowledging that the papal edicts did not reflect the “equal dignity and rights of indigenous people”.
It said that it was aware the documents were manipulated for political purposes by colonial powers to justify “immoral acts”.
It said these were at times done “without opposition from ecclesiastical authorities”.
“It is only just to recognise these errors, acknowledge the terrible effects of the assimilation policies and the pain experienced by indigenous peoples, and ask for pardon,” it said.
Anne Soy
BBC News, Nairobi
Image source, State House / TwitterKamala Harris announced over $500m support to boost Tanzania's trade and democracy
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has lauded Tanzania’s reforms aimed at strengthening the East African nation’s democracy.
Her host, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, described the visit as a milestone for her country.
Ms Harris is in the second leg of her Africa tour which began in Ghana and will conclude in Zambia over the weekend.
With colourful traditional dances, Tanzanians welcomed Ms Harris to their country. Buses in the seaside city of Dar es Salaam were draped in her pictures.
It’s a rare visit by a senior American official. Many see it as an endorsement of President Samia’s reforms.
Since taking over from the controversial John Magufuli, who died two years ago, she has lifted a ban on opposition rallies and encouraged press freedom. Exiled politicians have returned home.
Ms Harris described the decisions as important and meaningful steps that have helped expand the two countries’ partnership.
She announced $560m (£451m) in support to boost trade with Tanzania and strengthen democracy.
Our proverb of the day:
Quote MessageEven honey turns sour when consumed in excess."
An Amharic proverb sent by Yirga Tesfaye in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia