The Blade Killer

With the SAPS announcing they have now concluded the case against Mr untouchable, Oscar Pistorius, I think it apt to write my ten cents worth of opinion. For those of you who have just returned from other planets. Oscar shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp, saying he mistook her for an intruder.

What amazes me is how often reporters use the words 'allegedly' with this case . He allegedly killed her or he allegedly shot through the door. No....some facts are already confirmed my the Prince himself....He has already told the court that he shot her through the door and killed her.....that much is not in doubt and as such, not alleged. What is alleged, is the murder charge.

To sum things up, from Blade Killer's point of view: During the night of 14th February 2013, he awoke and walked to the balcony to fetch the fan and close the balcony door. On his way back he heard somebody in the bathroom. Thinking it was an intruder, he says he screamed at them and at Reeva to phone the police. He went to the bed to collect his firearm (not noticing Reeva was not in bed). He says he felt fear and terror and trapped as the bedroom door was locked. He moved towards the bathroom, noticing the window was open. The toilet door (which is separate) was closed and in short, he decided it would be a great idea to shoot them through the closed door. He tells us he felt vulnerable as he did not have his prosthetic limbs on until after he shot Reeva.

I am not going to delve into the case because much has been written about motives, affairs and so on. I am going to look at the basics as reflected by The Blade Killer's version.

I have worked extensively with disabled people. Oscar spent most of his life with no lower limbs so we can reasonably assume he was pretty mobile without his prosthetics. This is evident as he did not put them on to go to fetch the fan. Then, as seen by the diagram of his room, he had to pass the bed and the bedroom door, walk down a passage to get to the bathroom.

One who is filled with fear would wake his partner up, unlock the locked door (he obviously did not think of that) and escape with haste, using one of the numerous phones on hand (4 I think) to phone security or the police.
Oscar has a long history of loving firearms and we can assume he has shot them many times. He once bragged to a reporter that he once thought there was an intruder downstairs and basically, went down, armed to catch or shoot the intruder.

Despite his utter terror, he makes the effort of 'walking' down a passage to the bathroom...all this time, he hears nothing from Reeva, no screams, whispers, her calling him... She was silent, yet this raised no alarms. So, he, in his fear, walk towards the danger instead of escaping. Noticing the toilet door closed, he seemingly makes no effort to establish who was behind the door or declare he will shoot. (or, I am sure Reeva would have made it pretty clear it was her).

Based on the diagram as well, if Reeva was in the toilet, what type of noise would she have to be making to alert him? Surely when one is in the toilet, we don't bang against the walls or the like, to create noise. We do our thing and leave. So how much noise would she have had to make for him to hear her? And why was she in for so long?

Another thing that troubles me, why did she lock the door. Close it I understand...lock it is strange?
And, why would an intruder lock himself in the toilet? Surely if he entered via the bathroom window and he felt a threat, he would have exited before trapping himself in a locked toilet.

Based on his side of the tale, there are too many dark shadows crawling around. Too much just does not make sense. I have briefly touched on a few, but I am sure if I dissect it even more, there will be others. Then there is all the other evidence that the police has collected.

As this is not a crime article, I am really not going into ALL the legal stuff and other allegations. The police are going for premeditated murder. Even if Oscar's fairytale is bought by the court, he is still guilty of a crime...he killed somebody when his life was not directly threatened, as is a requirement in our law.

However, the legal system being what it is, we cannot guarantee that he will be punished the way he ought to be, whichever charge he is found guilty of. Two things are without doubt, that he shot and killed Reeva and that he took the life of a promising you lady.

Zuma and his best wishes to his best friend

Jacob Zuma extended his 'profound congratulations' to Zimbabwe's eternal president, Robert Mugabe for a winning a successful election. He further went on to call on all parties to accept the election results as 'election observers had reported it to be the will of the people.'. And as if the aforementioned idiotic statements were not enough, he has had to add that he 'encourages the people of Zimbabwe to seize this opportunity towards building their country, driven by a common desire for peace, stability and prosperity.' 

A brief look at the election tells us all we need to know. No independent observers from the evil West were allowed in to monitor the poll. Reports of voting irregularities were rife. The African Union harped on about the peaceful elections, but fell short of calling them fair. Despite it's monitors announcing several irregularities, no further action was taken from their side. The Southern African Development Community, unsurprisingly, called it free and fair. 

Most convincing are the local monitors who spelled out voter registration problems, rural voters being subtly threatened not to vote by security forces or being forced to ask for help by Mugabe loyalists. In all, this accounts for well over a million votes. There were also other problems, but I think my point has been made. 

With the above in mind, and due to everybody knowing Mugabe's tactics, it is a slap in the face for democracy and a worry that the AU and SADC, can blindly accept the election knowing that there were problems. But like Zuma, they don't want to hear as they are all a tight bunch of corrupt little friends. For Zuma to call on Zimbabweans to prosper, while retaining the same leader who has wrecked their country is not only plain stupid but embarrassing. It also goes to show how out of touch with reality he is. 

Despite Mugabe's call for sanctions to be lifted, the countries who hold the against him and his regime, will rightly continue to do so. 

This also highlights the type of 'leader' Zuma is. He does not have the courage to stand up for democracy if it means confronting another African leader. South Africa are make a big noise against the West when they think they are being done in, but are notably quiet when one of their owns steals an election. Coming from Zuma, this is a further concern when we look at the situation in Tlokwe, where the ANC lost the mayoral seat and, despite a court order, are refusing to budge. Is this how Zuma sees democracy, the best vote rigger wins? Is this is what South Africa can look forward to if the ANC's position is threatened?  

It is no use having one of the best constitutions on earth and bragging about a democracy,when you have no clue what it is and you and your party carry on like South Africa is your playground and we as taxpayer are paying for all the rides.A Zumocracy indeed. 

Malema and his smoke and mirror EFF

I have written a number of times about Julius Malema, and I probably will in the future. The reason, well, he really rubs against my grain in a big way.

A while back, this faithful servant of the ANC and most specifically, our glorious president, Jacob Zuma. Those were his glory days when Zuma was his father an he would gladly lay his life on the line for this esteemed individual.

Hit the fast forward button and Mr M has been booted from the political party that he worshipped, he has had millions of Rands worth of assets sold from under him, and he is fighting for political survival. Oh yes, and let's not forget those little corruption charges.

Lucky for Julius, he is a very loud and fiery person, a very good tool when trying to convince people not to look beyond the message you are shouting out. Secondly, his target market are pretty desperate people, largely betrayed by the same party Julius fell foul of. Unemployed youth who have large dreams, but no road to drive them there.
Our hero, Malema's new party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), promises to take all the land away from everybody and make it state land. (Read between the lines-take it from the white people. )
The EFF's manifesto reads like a long justification to be racist against white people, while falling short on real plans.

Here is a quote from their manifesto.

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC MISSION?

35. The attainment of Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime is our strategic mission. Towards this, we have identified 7 (seven) non-negotiable cardinal pillars for economic freedom in our lifetime. These are: 

a. Expropriation of South Africa's land without compensation for equal redistribution in use.

b. Nationalisation of mines, banks, and other strategic sectors of the economy, without compensation.

c. Building state and government capacity, which will lead to the abolishment of tenders.

d. Free quality education, healthcare, houses, and sanitation. 

e. Massive protected industrial development to create millions of sustainable jobs, including the introduction of minimum wages in order to close the wage gap between the rich and the poor, close the apartheid wage gap and promote rapid career paths for Africans in the workplace

f. Massive development of the African economy and advocating for a move from reconciliation to justice in the entire continent. 

g. Open, accountable, corrupt-free government and society without fear of victimisation by state agencies. 

36. Attainment of Economic Freedom entails that multinational and private ownership of the commanding heights of the economy will be discontinued, and all economic wealth directed to the ownership and benefit of all people. This will happen through various and combined forms of common and collective ownership, ranging from State ownership and control, co-operatives and workers' ownership and control of the key sectors of the economy. State ownership is within this context, an elementary component which will lead to more progressive forms of collective ownership, control and benefit, and therefore not narrow State-capitalism. 

It should be borne in mind that prior to Malema falling short of the taxman, to the tune of millions and being booted from the ANC, capitalism was his ally. He owned numerous properties and cars, wore expensive jewellery, dressed like a king and ate the best food money could buy. His whisky taste was more to the Blue label than Red label side. Tenders were one of his money sources.

The promises are big, free education, sustainable jobs, no corruption.....but he really fails to explain how he will achieve this. Having said this, being a politician, he probably has no idea and is telling us what we think we want to hear, or at least, those daft enough to support him.

Further to confuse matters, one of his financial backers is show off millionaire, Kenny Kunene. (Who, if Juju's party has it's way, will lose all his property to the state...) and actor Fana Mokoena. Capitalism was good to these two...but hey, why let reality stand in your way for the need to be more popular and to gather more wealth off the public.

Then we have Mr Malema's new mentor, Good old Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe fame. Dandy. What a figure to look up to. The EFF promotes itself as a militant group and they are proud to wear their trademark red beret. He even has 'Commander in Chief'' written on his. (Had me laughing I must admit)

What does this all mean for South Africa. Well, in the unlikely event that they are voted in as government, a nuclear war would look like a promising alternative. It would also be less destructive to our country.

Realistically though, they will garner thousands of votes. Where it gets interesting, is their votes will come from the ANC support base. Especially with Juju attacking everything that is ANC, with his child-like name calling and mockery. There are many who will fall for this, and will question whether the ANC deserve their cross again. Ironically, the Democratic Alliance, once the thorn in Malema's side, will benefit from the the votes lost by the ANC, as I am pretty sure their supporters will not be fooled my the smoke and mirror EFF picture show.

Malema remains a figure on the political landscape. However, he still has to face corruption charges..without the safety net of the ANC to catch his fall. With Zuma consolidating his position by ridding himself of all those who don't support him, there will be no protection for his now arch rival.

The EFF will not me a major force, but will serve as a dangerous joker in SA politics, even if Malema has to serve time. In time, they will dissolve through in fighting and power struggles........as is African politics.