South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
Rafieka Williams
BBC News, Johannesburg
EWNCopyright: EWN
The trio are accused of syphoning off nearly $1m intended for studentsImage caption: The trio are accused of syphoning off nearly $1m intended for students
Three men accused of defrauding a bursary scheme for
university students in South Africa have been granted bail.
The trio were arrested less than a month ago on allegations
of funnelling more than 16m rand ($863,000, £693,000) from the finance
company KPMG to private bank accounts.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s court in Johannesburg set bail
at 50,000 rand each.
Fidelis Moema, Lebogang Sigubundu and Trevor Machimana are
alleged to have worked together between October 2019 and 2022.
All three are reported to be intending to plead not guilty
though they have yet to enter a formal plea.
A brief look at Mr Moema’s professional history shows the
32-year-old worked in human resources at Ford Motors and as a brand ambassador
for several businesses including the retail chain Woolworths.
Mr Moema was reported to police following disciplinary
proceedings at KPMG.
The case is due to continue on 24 May when state prosecutors
say more witnesses may be presented.
Evidence so far about the suspected fraud has come from Mr
Moema’s ex-girlfriends, according to National Prosecuting Authority
spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
"The number of people we are looking at might increase.
We prefer to wait for the right moment. When we are at the stage to disclose
our docket, we will be able to tell how many people have been added to the
case."
Quote Message: The papaya tree which bears sweet fruit always has a stick under it" from An Akan proverb sent by Kwabens Kankam Boakye in Kumasi, Ghana
The papaya tree which bears sweet fruit always has a stick under it"
And we leave you with this photo of a fisherman preparing to cast off in Oranjeville, South Africa:
AFPCopyright: AFP
Most unfortunate day for Kenya - Ruto
This is "a most unfortunate day for the nation at large", President Ruto has said at a press conference called in the wake of the chopper crash.
"Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals," he added while paying tribute to Gen Francis Ogolla.
"The sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared
by all the people of Kenya," he said while announcing a three-day period of national mourning.
BreakingKenya's military chief dies in chopper crash
AFPCopyright: AFP
Kenya's military chief Gen Francis Ogolla has died in a helicopter crash in the north-west of the country, President William Ruto has said.
The military helicopter went down in the west of the country earlier on at 14:20 local time (11:20 GMT).
There were 11 other people in the aircraft - nine of them were killed and there were two survivors.
People flee as Tigray forces advance towards disputed areas
Kalkidan Yibeltal
BBC News, Addis Ababa
BBCCopyright: BBC
Tigrayan fighters in northern Ethiopia have reportedly taken control of more disputed areas on the border with the Amhara region, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Fighting flared up on Saturday after Tigray fighters were accused of advancing towards Alamata, a major town, in the disputed Raya district.
Officials in Kobo, a neighbouring Amhara town, told the BBC that"“many" people were arriving in recent days fleeing the clashes.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the Amhara regional government accused Tigrayan forces of launching an "invasion" and threatened action against it.
The Tigrayan forces are yet to comment on these latest accusations but Getachew Reda, the head of the interim administration in Tigray, had previously blamed some unnamed "die-hard enemies" for the flare up.
The district had been under the southern Tigray administration until war broke out between the federal government and Tigrayan forces in 2020. The Amhara forces, which fought alongside the federal army during the war, have since seized the areas.
The federal authorities have not commented on the latest clashes, but they had previously said disputed areas would be under the army’s control until a resolution was reached.
The escalation threatens to disrupt the implementation of the peace agreement signed by the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022 that ended the civil war.
UN accused of complicity in eviction of indigenous people
Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service newsroom
Campaign group Survival International has accused the UN's cultural organisation, Unesco, of complicity in the forcible eviction and abuse of indigenous people.
In a report to mark World Heritage Day, it says serious abuses are being committed in the name of conservation at several Unesco World Heritage Sites in Africa and Asia.
Unesco has issued a statement to the BBC strongly contesting the allegations.
It says it has made respect for the rights of indigenous people a fundamental principle in the management of its sites.
Kenyan security council meeting called after crash
The BBC's Africa security correspondent in Nairobi, Ian Wafula, reports that President William Ruto has convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council following the helicopter crash, according to spokesman Hussein Mohamed.
Kenya chopper crash - what we know
BBCCopyright: BBC
Details of the Kenyan military helicopter crash are still sketchy, but here is some of what we do know:
A military helicopter has gone down on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo
Marakwet counties in Kenya’s Rift Valley
Government spokeman Isaac Mwaura has confirmed that there has been a crash but has urged Kenyans to stay calm and avoid speculation
There has been no official confirmation over who was on board
Local media are reporting that senior military figures were on the helicopter
Rescue and recovery teams have been
dispatched to the crash site to give assistance and to assess the situation
Kenyans are awaiting a
statement from President William Ruto due anytime
Five killed in Kenya military chopper crash - report
Kenyan TV channel NTV is reporting that according to a police spokesperson five of those on board the military helicopter that has crashed were killed. There were three survivors, the police are reported to have said.
The Reuters news agency is also reporting those figures quoting an anonymous police source. The three survivors are being treated in hospital, it adds.
Kenyans urged to stay calm after news of helicopter crash
Spokesperson for Kenya's government Isaac Mwaura has urged Kenyans to "stay calm and avoid any speculation whatsoever at this critical juncture".
His message on X follows news that a military helicopter has crashed with reports that some senior officers were on board.
"An official communication concerning the Military Aircraft Crash shall be issued soon," the spokesman said.
Burkina Faso expulsion of diplomats unfounded - France
Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service newsroom
The French government says a decision by Burkina Faso to expel three of its diplomats was based on unfounded allegations.
Live Reporting
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EWNCopyright: EWN The trio are accused of syphoning off nearly $1m intended for studentsImage caption: The trio are accused of syphoning off nearly $1m intended for students 
AFPCopyright: AFP 
AFPCopyright: AFP 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC -
A military helicopter has gone down on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo
Marakwet counties in Kenya’s Rift Valley
-
Government spokeman Isaac Mwaura has confirmed that there has been a crash but has urged Kenyans to stay calm and avoid speculation
-
There has been no official confirmation over who was on board
-
Local media are reporting that senior military figures were on the helicopter
-
Rescue and recovery teams have been
dispatched to the crash site to give assistance and to assess the situation
-
Kenyans are awaiting a
statement from President William Ruto due anytime
Latest PostSouth Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
Rafieka Williams
BBC News, Johannesburg
Three men accused of defrauding a bursary scheme for university students in South Africa have been granted bail.
The trio were arrested less than a month ago on allegations of funnelling more than 16m rand ($863,000, £693,000) from the finance company KPMG to private bank accounts.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s court in Johannesburg set bail at 50,000 rand each.
Fidelis Moema, Lebogang Sigubundu and Trevor Machimana are alleged to have worked together between October 2019 and 2022.
All three are reported to be intending to plead not guilty though they have yet to enter a formal plea.
A brief look at Mr Moema’s professional history shows the 32-year-old worked in human resources at Ford Motors and as a brand ambassador for several businesses including the retail chain Woolworths.
Mr Moema was reported to police following disciplinary proceedings at KPMG.
The case is due to continue on 24 May when state prosecutors say more witnesses may be presented.
Evidence so far about the suspected fraud has come from Mr Moema’s ex-girlfriends, according to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
"The number of people we are looking at might increase. We prefer to wait for the right moment. When we are at the stage to disclose our docket, we will be able to tell how many people have been added to the case."
Kenya investigates crash that killed military chief
By Wycliffe Muia
BBC News, Nairobi
Gen Francis Ogolla was in the west of the country when his helicopter went down killing 10.
Read moreGhana’s new train collides with lorry in test run
By Wycliffe Muia
BBC News
The train rammed into a lorry parked along the Tema-Mpakadan railway line, damaging its cabin area.
Read moreNigerian attempts to break chess marathon record
By Gloria Aradi
BBC News
The 29-year-old chess master hopes raise $1m for charity by playing for 58 consecutive hours.
Read moreMboma 'did not lose hope' during 20-month lay-off
By Celestine Karoney
BBC Sport Africa, Nairobi
Sprinter Christine Mboma says an enforced hiatus impacted her mental health but she did not lose hope of a return.
Read moreCampaigner returns OBE over Rwanda scheme
By Ross McKee
BBC News NI
Dr Aidan McQuade wrote to the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and returned the honour by post.
Read moreGoggles, bubbles and puddles: Africa's top shots
A selection of the week's best photos from across the continent and beyond.
Read moreWoman rescued 10 years after Chibok kidnapping
By Alex Therrien
BBC News
The Islamist group Boko Haram seized 276 girls from a school in Chibok in 2014
Read moreKenya's military chief dies in helicopter crash
By Ian Wafula, Africa security correspondent & Malu Cursino
In Nairobi and London
A military helicopter carrying senior military officers crashes and caught fire, killing ten people.
Read moreScroll down for this week's stories
We're back on Monday morning
That's all from the BBC Africa Live team for now. To keep up with news from the continent, visit the BBC Africa webpage.
And if audio is your thing, have a listen to the BBC's Focus on Africa and Africa Daily podcasts.
A reminder of Thursday's wise words:
Click here to send us your African proverbs.
And we leave you with this photo of a fisherman preparing to cast off in Oranjeville, South Africa:
Most unfortunate day for Kenya - Ruto
This is "a most unfortunate day for the nation at large", President Ruto has said at a press conference called in the wake of the chopper crash.
"Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals," he added while paying tribute to Gen Francis Ogolla.
"The sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya," he said while announcing a three-day period of national mourning.
BreakingKenya's military chief dies in chopper crash
Kenya's military chief Gen Francis Ogolla has died in a helicopter crash in the north-west of the country, President William Ruto has said.
The military helicopter went down in the west of the country earlier on at 14:20 local time (11:20 GMT).
There were 11 other people in the aircraft - nine of them were killed and there were two survivors.
People flee as Tigray forces advance towards disputed areas
Kalkidan Yibeltal
BBC News, Addis Ababa
Tigrayan fighters in northern Ethiopia have reportedly taken control of more disputed areas on the border with the Amhara region, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Fighting flared up on Saturday after Tigray fighters were accused of advancing towards Alamata, a major town, in the disputed Raya district.
Officials in Kobo, a neighbouring Amhara town, told the BBC that"“many" people were arriving in recent days fleeing the clashes.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the Amhara regional government accused Tigrayan forces of launching an "invasion" and threatened action against it.
The Tigrayan forces are yet to comment on these latest accusations but Getachew Reda, the head of the interim administration in Tigray, had previously blamed some unnamed "die-hard enemies" for the flare up.
The district had been under the southern Tigray administration until war broke out between the federal government and Tigrayan forces in 2020. The Amhara forces, which fought alongside the federal army during the war, have since seized the areas.
The federal authorities have not commented on the latest clashes, but they had previously said disputed areas would be under the army’s control until a resolution was reached.
The escalation threatens to disrupt the implementation of the peace agreement signed by the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria, South Africa, in November 2022 that ended the civil war.
UN accused of complicity in eviction of indigenous people
Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service newsroom
Campaign group Survival International has accused the UN's cultural organisation, Unesco, of complicity in the forcible eviction and abuse of indigenous people.
In a report to mark World Heritage Day, it says serious abuses are being committed in the name of conservation at several Unesco World Heritage Sites in Africa and Asia.
Unesco has issued a statement to the BBC strongly contesting the allegations.
It says it has made respect for the rights of indigenous people a fundamental principle in the management of its sites.
Kenyan security council meeting called after crash
The BBC's Africa security correspondent in Nairobi, Ian Wafula, reports that President William Ruto has convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council following the helicopter crash, according to spokesman Hussein Mohamed.
Kenya chopper crash - what we know
Details of the Kenyan military helicopter crash are still sketchy, but here is some of what we do know:
Five killed in Kenya military chopper crash - report
Kenyan TV channel NTV is reporting that according to a police spokesperson five of those on board the military helicopter that has crashed were killed. There were three survivors, the police are reported to have said.
The Reuters news agency is also reporting those figures quoting an anonymous police source. The three survivors are being treated in hospital, it adds.
Kenyans urged to stay calm after news of helicopter crash
Spokesperson for Kenya's government Isaac Mwaura has urged Kenyans to "stay calm and avoid any speculation whatsoever at this critical juncture".
His message on X follows news that a military helicopter has crashed with reports that some senior officers were on board.
"An official communication concerning the Military Aircraft Crash shall be issued soon," the spokesman said.
Burkina Faso expulsion of diplomats unfounded - France
Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service newsroom
The French government says a decision by Burkina Faso to expel three of its diplomats was based on unfounded allegations.
Earlier the foreign ministry in Ouagadougou said the three advisers in the French embassy had been ordered to leave, because of what it called subversive activities.
Some reports suggest they had been meeting civil society activists.
Since coming to power in a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso's military rulers have distanced themselves from the former colonial power.
They have has forced French troops to leave the country, suspended some Francophone media and demanded that Paris recall its ambassador.
BreakingKenyan military helicopter crashes
Ian Wafula
Africa security correspondent, BBC News, Nairobi
A Kenya Defence Forces helicopter has crashed moments after take off with reports of casualties.
Local news channel Citizen TV is reporting that the head of the military Gen Francis Ogolla was on board - the BBC has not confirmed this.