Wednesday 22 May 2013

‘I told them 30 times I was innocent’


Independent Newspapers
The court heard that clothing and shoes containing blood spatters sent for DNA analysis came back with no evidence linking Jonathan Davids to the attack on Anene Booysen. PICTURE: CANDICE CHAPLIN
Cape Town - After repeatedly declaring he was innocent of the rape and murder of Bredasdorp teenager Anene Booysen, Jonathan Davids, 22, is a free man after the State announced it had no evidence against him.
Earlier this year, Davids and co-accused Johannes Kana were arrested for the murder and mutilation of 17-year-old Booysen.
She was savagely gang-raped before being disembowelled and left for dead. She died from her injuries in Tygerberg Hospital on February 2.
The court heard that clothing and shoes containing blood spatters sent for DNA analysis came back with no evidence linking Davids to the attack on Booysen.
On Tuesday, a jubilant “yes!” was heard from family and friends as the Bredasdorp Magistrate’s Court heard that Davids was free to go.
State prosecutor Maria Marshall announced: “The State is withdrawing the case from Davids. He was implicated in this case, but after a thorough investigation the State has decided to withdraw the case against him.”
Lena Kana, mother of rape and murder accused Johannes Kana, outside the Bredasdorp Magistrate's Court. PICTURE: CANDICE CHAPLIN
Independent Newspapers
The case against Kana was postponed to June 3 for plea proceedings before being moved to the Western Cape High Court.
Outside court on Tuesday, National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said there was no evidence to link Davids to the murder.
“The State has withdrawn charges against Jonathan Davids. It means that there is no evidence linking him to the case, the investigation has been finalised.
“Initially, he was implicated in the matter. A thorough investigation has been done and there is no evidence to secure a conviction.
“Evidence has come back and it couldn’t link him to the crime. There was a confession from Kana, though, and he is facing charges of rape and murder,” Ntabazalila said.
After the ruling, angry South Africans took to social media to express their outrage, with one calling it “appalling”.
Back home with his friends and family on Tuesday, Davids said he felt disappointed.
“I probably told them 30 times that I was innocent.”
He added that he managed to get through four months of jail with the support of God and the knowledge he was innocent.
“The evening they arrested me was the first time I heard about Anene. They never said she had died; they only told me the next day.
“The last time I saw her she only greeted me in the pub.”
When asked how he felt when it was said during his bail application that Anene allegedly said it was a “bruin” Zwai that did it to her, Davids said he knew he was innocent.
“I can’t believe what her mother and what they (the community) thought of me.”
He added that now he had been released he felt nothing and did not know what he would do on his first day back home.
“I missed everything (while in jail).”
Davids said Anene had been like a sister to him and that he would visit her grave.
“The real perpetrators are still walking free.”
His family and friends celebrated at their home with a braai on Tuesday.
Davids’s uncle, Nico September, said he was grateful to all those who had supported the family.
“I knew he was innocent. So many were against us. The detectives and police officers are not doing their jobs properly.
“No one even questioned whether Anene was mutilated or not. At the moment, you are guilty until you prove that you are innocent.”
Francois Davids, Jonathan’s brother, said he was deeply happy to have his sibling back home.
“I am relieved that he is finally free. We always supported him.”
Meanwhile, Johannes Kana - Kana’s uncle - said he was unable to find a job because his name was the same as his nephew’s.
“I have sent out six CVs, but I can’t find a job… I don’t have money.
“My wife also can’t find a job because of her surname and my children are also suffering because of it.”
Kana added that their family supported his nephew whether he was guilty or not.
“All of us are positive. If he has done it and is still in jail we will support him because we are family.”
Cape Argus

Police arrest man who exhumed, sold corpses of relatives for N16,000

A 40 - year old man, Agboola Kolawole, who exhumed the corpses of his relatives and  sold for N16,000 has been arrested by the police in Lagos State.
The suspect told newsmen that a friend of his,Fatai Akiwowo, instigated the crime,  when he was looking for money to pay his child’s West Africa Examination Council (WAEC)fees.
Four other members of the syndicate, who have been going around cemeteries and tombs, have been arrested by men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the state police command.
They were all on, Tuesday afternoon, paraded before newsmen by the image maker in charge of the state police command,  Ngozi Braide, who disclosed that the police were on the trail of other members of the gang.
According to the Lagos State police spokesperson, “on  May 15, 2013 , based on information received by O\C SARS , SP Abba Kyari, one Adeleke was arrested in Owode Town , Ogun State.
The police spokesperson also said that the suspect was arrested with human hands , which he was trying to sell for twenty one thousand naira
She continued that “he confessed that a certain Sanni Kazeem sold the hand to him for N6,000 and when Sanni was arrested, he also confessed and further stated that he had supplied two human heads to a dealer named Akiwowo Fatai.”

How I Handle The Insults Nigerians Throw At Me - Soundcity's Moet Abebe

Here's what Laura Monyeazo Abebe aka Moet said when she was asked how she handles insults people throw at her in a very recent interview with Flytime TV.
Moet actually has a law degree from the University of Manchester.
With the work I do I always hope for the best but expect the worst. I hope I have been able to get genuine fans who love and appreciate what I do but at the same time, I do know that not everyone will like me as I am very far from perfect.
So I expect to get a few insults tossed at me here and there especially on twitter. I often ignore the insults because I know who I am and those who know me love me for me. However, one thing I do know is that I will not take any insults towards my family lightly and those are the times I speak out to ensure that I'm not looking to be liked but I will be respected.
  • My advice to aspiring youths 
I'm not necessarily one to give advice because I am still making mistakes and learning from them but the one piece of advice I would pass on to the youths aspiring to be as bold and as daring as myself would be to always remain persistent.
Nothing comes easy. You rise and then you fall and then you rise again. The main thing is to have your eye on your individual goal and have it at the back of your mind that you will not give up till you cross the finish line.
  • Moet in seven words:
Moët is a strong, easy-going extrovert chasing her dreams
  
  •  What I’ll never be caught wearing:
Those plastic sandals that some girls seem to be wearing anywhere nowadays... Gross
See full interview here

Mercy Aigbe and Toyin Aimakhu Go To Prison


The two ladies in prison attire
Mercy Aigbe Gentry and Toyin Aimakhu Johnson on a movie set....Oh don't be misled by the headline, that's how Mercy captioned the photo - it's a scene from a movie they are currently shooting - can't wait to see the movie (I really dislike yoruba movies, they always have very dumb themes but I love watching these two actresses)....lol..See another photo below:


Mother City awaits Obamas

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama
Image by: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS

The Obamas are coming to South Africa. But whether Barack and Michelle will stop over in Cape Town to receive the freedom of the city is not clear.

Though Obama and the First Lady's visit to Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa was announced on Monday, yesterday Jack Hillmeyer, spokesman for the US embassy in Pretoria, could not say if they would visit the Mother City.
"We won't have any details to give until we get closer to the trip," said Hillmeyer.
Malatsi was asked if the Obamas would accept the award in Cape Town, but he did not want to commit himself.
"We will wait for official direction from President Jacob Zuma's office . The Presidency will guide us on all issues related to this matter in terms of state protocol," Malatsi said.
Malatsi said they had been discussing the "issue for a number of months" with the Presidency. Hillmeyer said Obama will meet with leaders from government, business, civil society and the youth.
"The trip will underscore the president's [Obama's] commitment to broadening and deepening the cooperation between the US and the people of sub-Saharan Africa to advance regional and global peace and prosperity," said Hillmeyer.
"He really believes this is a moment of promise for Africa."
The visit, he said, will "reinforce three key themes": advancing economic growth in Africa through trade and investment; engaging the next generation of African leaders; and supporting the African advance for democratic governance.