Metro

South African killer who murdered cousin, grandfather, sentenced to two life terms

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2022

A convicted South African murderer who killed his 18-year-old cousin, Jesse Hess, a student of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and her 85-year-old grandfather, Christ Lategan in 2019, has been sentenced to two life imprisonment terms by a Western Cape High Court.

The convict, David van Boven, was on Tuesday, convicted and found guilty of both murders, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, sexual assault, and fraud.

An accomplice, Tasliem Ambrose, was found guilty for two counts of robbery but only as an accessory after the fact and acquitted on all other charges, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment for his part in the two robberies during the murders.

Hess and Lategan were found dead in their Parow flat on August 30, 2019, with both of them strangled to death, while Jesse had also been raped by van Boven.

Van Boven, a member of a dangerous gang called the ’28s Gang’, was arrested months later for raping another 16-year-old girl from Hanover Park.

According to IOL, during the trial, both van Boven and Ambrose pleaded not guilty to the charges but later gave themselves away when they turned on each other as police gave evidence on the different versions of events they recorded as told by the two, as well as confessions, which led to the trial judge agreeing with the prosecution and sentenced him to two life terms.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

13 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.