Graça Machel statement, saying “thank you”

Statement issued this morning by Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel.

Madiba once said: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others..” I have thought of his words on each occasion the world stood with him, making a difference to him, in his healing.

So much love and generosity from South Africans, Africans across the continent, and thousands more from across the world, have come our way to lighten the burden of anxiety; bringing us love, comfort and hope.

The messages have come by letter, by SMS, by phone, by twitter, by Facebook, by email, cards, flowers and the human voice, in particular the voices of children in schools or singing outside our home. We have felt the closeness of the world and the deepest meaning of strength and peace.

Our gratitude is difficult to express. But the love and peace we feel give yet more life to the simple “Thank you!”

Mrs Graca Machel

Mandela getting better: Presidency

The Presidency tonight issued a statement on the health of former president Nelson Mandela. The gist is that Madiba is improving, but still serious. Here is the full statement:

President Jacob Zuma has this evening, 13 June 2013, accompanied by ANC Treasurer-General Dr Zweli Mkhize visited former President Nelson Mandela in hospital in Pretoria.

“Madiba’s health continues to improve but his condition remains serious. We continue to appeal to people to keep Madiba in their prayers and wish him a speedy recovery,” said President Zuma.

To read other statements, visit the Presidency website by clicking here.

“Muden massacre” arrests – thanks to ballistic testing

Gunshots rang out in the early hours of March 9, as a family from Muden, outside Greytown in KwaZulu-Natal, were brutally murdered. In the immediate aftermath, it was reported that five adult brothers were killed, along with another relative — and that three young boys were seriously injured. One of those children died in hospital.

But, this morning (11/06/2013), police made a massive breakthrough in the case, arresting a 51-year-old man and his two sons for their alleged involvement in what police have dubbed the “Muden massacre”. And it was all thanks to ballistic testing.

A police statement issued this afternoon states that the Greytown Task Team took the man into custody this morning. Subsequent investigations resulted in them arresting his 28-year-old and 30-year-old sons.

It was not the man’s first brush with the law. In fact, he was out on bail for possession of an unlicenced firearm when he was arrested. The statement, issued by KZN spokesman Colonel Vincent Mdunge reads: “(Following the murders on March 9) the National Intervention Unit has been conducting operations in the Muden and Greytown area which yielded positive results as several firearms were seized. During one of such operations a 51-year-old man was arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm on 14 April 2013 and subsequently released on bail pending trial.”

And here’s where the ballistic stuff comes in:

“The firearms seized during the operations including the one found in his possession were sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in the commission of any offence in the country. The ballistic report on the firearm seized from the 51-year-old indicated that his firearm was used during the Mkhize massacre. The Task Team re-arrested him,” Mdunge said.

The three have been charged with seven counts of murder and two of attempted murder. No date has been provided for their court appearence, but Mdunge said they will appear “soon” in Greytown.