Kenya Confirms Ninth Ebola Case, All Linked to One Cluster
Kenya's health ministry said today, Tuesday, October 20, that a new Ebola case brings the total to nine. The latest patient is a close family member of the first patient and was already in quarantine. Health Director-General Patrick Amoth said all nine cases belong to one cluster, with no evidence of transmission outside it, and 134 of 135 contacts have been traced and quarantined. Late on Monday, the U.S. State Department advised Americans to reconsider travel to Kenya and raised its advisory level because of health risks.
Contaminated Water Sickens More Than 400 Near Pretoria, Mostly Children Under 4
South African officials have warned residents in Tshwane, the area that includes the capital city Pretoria, not to drink or cook with tap water after 408 people fell ill between October 7 and 18 in about five townships. Most of the sick are children under four, and no deaths have been reported. Tests found high levels of E. coli, along with norovirus, campylobacter, and shigella, but no cholera bacteria. Officials said local authorities failed to warn residents, and tankers are supplying clean drinking water.
Paul Mackenzie's Eldest Son Says Younger Siblings Were Still Being Forced to Fast Two Weeks Ago
Dan Mackenzie, 27, the eldest son of Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie, told the BBC he reported his grandmother to police after his younger siblings were forced to fast for almost three days as recently as two weeks ago. Police rescued eight children, including his five younger siblings, and took them to a rescue center. Mackenzie was convicted yesterday, Monday, October 19, of murdering 190 children and one adult in Shakahola forest, and 28 other cult leaders were also convicted of murder. Dan, who left school at seven and was forced to fast for almost a week at 12, now works as a motorcycle taxi driver in Malindi and supports his siblings. Mackenzie and other cult leaders also face separate cases involving terrorism, radicalization, and denying children an education, and he will be sentenced November 6.
South African Court Denies Bail to Former Deputy Police Chief Shadrack Sibiya
A South African court denied bail today, Tuesday, October 20, to Shadrack Sibiya, a former deputy police chief accused of raping an 18-year-old woman, human trafficking, and sexually grooming a minor. The court said he failed to show exceptional circumstances for release and agreed with prosecutors that freeing him would threaten witnesses. Sibiya resigned earlier this month after his September arrest, and police regard his departure as a dishonorable discharge. At the Madlanga Commission into police corruption, he has been accused of links to criminal networks and of receiving large sums of cash and gifts, which he denies. The National Prosecuting Authority says it will soon be ready for trial.
Ramaphosa Says South Africa Must Prepare for Possible Exclusion From AGOA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday, Monday, October 19, that South Africa must prepare for a possible exclusion from the U.S. duty-free trade program, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), as relations with Washington have soured. He said it remains to be seen whether South Africa stays in AGOA and that talks with U.S. counterparts are ongoing, while some U.S. officials have suggested excluding it. Ramaphosa said the impact on jobs would be "devastating," and that he and Deputy President Paul Mashatile have been traveling to explore alternative markets. He cited a recent trade deal with China, which introduced a zero-tariff scheme for qualifying South African goods in May.
