“An elevator transporting miners up and down the shaft unexpectedly dropped 200 meters,” said a report by the eNCA, a local television channel.
A total of 88 miners were on the conveyance, the report said, quoting Johan Theron, spokesperson with the mining company.
The safety incident involving a winder rope occurred Monday afternoon at its 11 Shaft operation at Impala Rustenburg, the company said in a statement issued Monday.
The rope is connected to the personnel conveyance, which hoists employees up and down the shaft, and the conveyance comprises three levels, each with a capacity to carry 35 personnel, the statement said.
Investigations into the incident are underway, the company said.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) continues to work with the public, local authorities and other law enforcement agencies to fight this financial crime.
Last Thursday, Police arrested a 47-year old man in Gasabo District with counterfeits amounting to Rwf100,000.
In separate operations conducted over the weekend in Nyagatare and Kamonyi districts, Police arrested four other people, who were trying to circulate counterfeit money. They were at the time found in possession of counterfeit banknotes amounting to Rwf21,000.
Three of the suspects were apprehended in Kibirizi village, Mbare cell of Karangazi sector in Nyagatare District, after they were found with bills amounting to Rwf16,000, all counterfeit.
The fourth suspect was caught with fake currency amounting to Rwf5000, in Kigembe, Gacurabwenge sector in Kamonyi district.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the arrest of the trio in Karangazi, Nyagatare District, followed information provided by the people in Mbare trading centre.
“They had bought a pack of cigarette, paid a counterfeit note. When Police apprehended them, they recovered a fake note of Rwf5000 from one of them, the other had a note of Rwf2000 while their third accomplice had nine fake notes in the denominations of Rwf1000,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added that the search is underway for the fourth member of the group and suspected head of the ring, who allegedly supplied the counterfeit banknotes.
In Kamonyi District, the suspect had paid a fake banknote at a petrol station but was reported by a pump attendant.
All the suspects were handed over to RIB for further investigations.
Article 269 of law No 68/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or bank notes which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.
A Moroccan navy patrol vessel intercepted the boat during an assistance mission near the port of Tan-Tan, the MAP quoted an unnamed military source as saying.
The rescued people, including 55 from sub-Saharan African countries and one Cuban, were heading towards Spain’s Canary Islands, the military source said.
After receiving necessary care, the rescued migrants were handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie in the Tan-Tan port for the usual administrative procedures, the same source added.
After filming the Gacaca trail of the killers of the children in 2005, Belgian filmmaker Bertrand Bellefroid revisited the crime scene in an attempt to make visible the invisible: the absence of those children.
In 2005 Bellefroid released his first film on the genocide against the Tutsi. “Rwanda, the Hills speak out” showed how survivors and assassins confront and avoid each other in the Gacaca trials, and illustrated the despair of a grandfather looking for the truth about his grandchildren. It depicted a Rwandan society struggling with the ideology of genocide ten years after the facts.
In 2023, on the eve of the 30th commemoration of the genocide, Bellefroid returned to the hill where Fidéline, Olivier and Fiacre were killed. The last days of these children are intertwined with three historical times: the memory of the genocide itself, the Gacaca trials of 2005 and the resilience of the village where those who exterminated and those who loved are resuming a common life.
Bellefroid and his belgo-rwandan film crew consider cinema to be a form of “collective martial arts”. One of the reasons that pushed them to revisit the hill is the urgency created by the ageing of the witnesses and the persistent genocide denial or minimisation. To a certain extent, the fine truth about what happened is held exclusively by the perpetrators, creating agony and a certain dependence for the survirvors. The merit of the Gacaca trials is that they created a path to a shared yet minimalistic truth, which has enabled Rwandans to move forward together over the past 30 years.
Cinematographically, the documentary shuns violent archive footage and works by shifting the attention of the viewer to the physical environment which was familiar to the three children. As such it requires a participatory effort by the public to approach the truth, to restore the children’s existence and the history of a hill for all hills.
The film was realised with the support of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (Belgium) and the Centre National de la Cinématographie (France) and is distributed by Wallonie Image Production. It is expected to be broadcast on VRT (Dutch Belgian TV), RTBF (French Belgian TV) and Arte (French-German channel) in April 2024 for the 30th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi.
The peace accord, a response to years of Rwandan turmoil, compelled various factions to align with its objectives. While the reigning regime grappled with internal dissent, a pivotal decision emerged — a collaboration with the RPF Inkotanyi, advocates for a united and democratic Rwanda.
Despite this alignment, tensions arose over the proposal to create a demarcation between the EX-FAR and RPA Forces. At the helm of this divergence was Gen Nsabimana, then Defence Chief of Staff, who staunchly insisted on pushing back opposing forces from the battlefield.
On October 1, 1990, the struggle for the liberation of the country commenced. The RPF Inkotanyi fought to emancipate Rwandans from the clutches of an oppressive regime that propagated inequality, injustice, and targeted Tutsis across the nation.
The Arusha Peace Agreement, signed on August 4, 1993, mandated international forces’ involvement in its implementation. Gen Romeo Dallaire’s arrival in Rwanda in August 1993 marked a turning point, as it was concluded that UN forces should intervene to restore peace and support the accord.
On October 5, 1993, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MINUAR, was established to enforce the Arusha Agreement. It sought to find common ground between conflicting parties while upholding the agreement’s key provisions.
Gen Dallaire, witnessing the devastating impact of the war, proposed a strategy, kept confidential until February 1, 1994, suggesting that soldiers from both sides engage at a distance to avert further conflict. Despite these efforts, extremists in Habyarimana’s government persisted in undermining the peace plan.
A pivotal meeting on February 2, 1994, brought together Gen Dallaire, Maj Gen Déogratias Nsabimana, Maj Gen Augustin Ndindiriyimana, and Maj Gen Paul Kagame, who commanded RPA soldiers.
Gen Dallaire, in his book ‘Shake Hands with The Devil,’ recalled it as the first encounter between these rivals. In this diplomatic exchange, he served as a linguistic bridge, translating for Kagame and Nsabimana to avoid misunderstandings and expedite proceedings.
The meeting, attended by military officers from both sides, aimed to discuss increasing the distance between opposing forces. A map, revealing that 75% of EX-FAR forces had to withdraw or surrender control of critical assets to UNAMIR, became the focal point.
Maj Gen Paul Kagame, overseeing the RPA forces in Mulindi, maintained a stoic silence, constrained by limited space near the Ugandan border. Gen Nsabimana, confronted with the map outlining the withdrawal area, voiced frustration about the army’s retreat.
Despite initial resistance, the EX-FAR forces eventually conceded to the necessity of positional changes, ensuring a safe distance between conflicting forces.
Gen Dallaire’s belief in direct discussions among military leaders as a catalyst for the Arusha Agreement’s success, however, faced political complexities that hindered its implementation. The rejection persisted until the RPA Army intervened, halting the Genocide against the Tutsi in July 1994.
Established in 2010, Rwanda Day has consistently served as a pivotal platform, fostering unity among Rwandans scattered across the globe. With the primary objective of advancing the nation’s development agenda, the event provides a forum for insightful discussions, updates on current progress, and avenues for networking and attracting foreign investments.
At the heart of Rwanda Day is the unique opportunity for participants to directly engage with the Head of State, posing questions, sharing ideas, and expressing their aspirations. The event not only offers a glimpse into Rwanda’s remarkable strides but also encourages the exchange of ideas to chart the way forward.
Having drawn over 35,000 attendees in previous editions held in various global cities, including Brussels, Chicago, Paris, Boston, London, Toronto, Atlanta, Dallas, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Ghent, and Bonn, the return to Washington DC signifies a renewed chapter in Rwanda Day’s rich history.
During a youth forum in Canada, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the US, Mathilde Mukantabana, extended a compelling invitation, urging Rwandans to participate in large numbers in this special event.
During the latest Rwanda Day, President Kagame imparted valuable advice to the audience, emphasizing their responsibility to love the country and contribute to its ongoing progress.
Employing the metaphor of an airplane encountering headwinds, he symbolized the challenges that necessitate a united effort for resolution.
President Kagame highlighted the significance of consistently bolstering the collective strength that propels Rwanda forward, drawing a parallel to increasing the thrust that propels an airplane to its destination expeditiously.
Furthermore, he directly addressed critics of Rwanda Day, dismissing their assertions as a political maneuver. Instead, he emphasized the event’s substantive impact in fostering resilience and motivation among the Rwandan population.
As the stage is set for a revitalized Rwanda Day in the heart of America, anticipation is high for the spirited discussions, shared insights, and collective visioning that will shape the future narrative of Rwandans in the diaspora and their homeland.
The abduction took place in Gaza on October 10, 2023, amidst escalating tensions triggered by a Hamas-initiated attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to a devastating open war with over 14,000 casualties.
As a temporary truce holds between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Dr. Shoshan’s release stands as a testament to the intricate challenges faced during times of conflict.
Fair Planet, founded by Dr. Shoshan Haran in 2012, focuses on pioneering agricultural projects across Africa, particularly in Rwanda, with the overarching goal of addressing hunger and promoting commercial agriculture.
The organization’s commitment to innovative seed development and sustainable farming practices has garnered international recognition.
On October 10, 2023, Dr. Shoshan, along with family members, faced a harrowing abduction from their home in Beer, Israel, subsequently finding themselves in Gaza.
The release of Dr. Shoshan and 12 other Israeli hostages on November 24, 2023, followed a cease-fire agreement brokered by Qatar. Tragically, Shoshan’s husband, Avshalom Haran, and his brother-in-law lost their lives during the abduction, underscoring the profound impact on the entire family.
Dr. Shoshan’s release is met with a mixture of relief and acknowledgment of the ongoing challenges faced by her family. Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, expressed relief at Dr. Shoshan’s return, recognizing the difficult situation the family endured.
In her professional capacity, Dr. Shoshan Haran is a seasoned farmer specializing in innovative seed development. Her collaboration with Rwandan agricultural leaders earlier this year culminated in the establishment of the Rwanda-Israel Horticulture Center of Excellence on August 2, 2023.
Fair Planet’s commitment to the Seed Resilience Project, officially launched on November 15, 2023, in partnership with the International Seed Federation, underscores their dedication to providing Rwandan farmers with quality seeds and essential agricultural training.
The organization’s activities in Ethiopia and Tanzania, involving collaboration with international companies, aim to bring diverse seeds to Rwanda for research using modern technology. The seeds proven to be resilient to Rwanda’s climate will be distributed to farmers, fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Amb. Weiss commended Dr. Haran’s tireless efforts, highlighting the transformative potential of seeds grown in greenhouses, which could yield five times the normal output.
Plans are underway to implement widespread testing and dissemination of these seeds based on the promising results, marking a significant step towards enhancing agricultural practices in Rwanda.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his social media channel that the air defense forces had intercepted and destroyed several drones flying towards Moscow over the Moscow region early Sunday morning. There were no casualties or property damage, he added.
Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz also said on social media that two drones had been destroyed by the air defense system over the Bryansk region.
Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono said heavily armed assailants raided Marafa and Poromoko villages at around 9 p.m. on Saturday and set several houses ablaze.
According to Rono, the police launched a manhunt for the assailants, adding that the attackers escaped the scene.
“No arrests have been made but the manhunt for those behind the incident is underway,” Rono said on the phone.
In Marafa village, the attackers torched four houses and beheaded a 72-year-old man.
According to preliminary findings, the attackers then proceeded to the neighboring village of Poromoko where they torched at least six houses, slaughtered chickens, and stole household items.
The attack which was linked to suspected al-Shabab militants, comes about three months after a similar one in Lamu West that saw a gateman at a local school killed after a brief abduction.
The police said the security operations have been upped in the area to tame the plans for more attacks in the tourism resort region.
The Lamu region, which includes popular tourist beach destination Lamu Island, lies close to the Somali border and has suffered frequent attacks in the past, including roadside bombs and the abduction of foreigners.
In a video posted on social network X, the Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana said the initiative dubbed “green hospital” is aimed at transforming health facilities into green spaces that champion both environmental protection and improved health outcomes.
He said trees will be planted in and around 56 hospitals, 514 health centers and 1,252 health posts across the country.
“Some 20,000 trees have so far been planted countrywide and we still have a long way to go against the target of reaching 2 million trees. The reason for this campaign is that it is no longer a secret, research has shown that trees, green spaces have a healing power,” he said.
“In health facilities surrounded by trees and green spaces patients are discharged two days earlier than the recommended time. Trees also are stress relievers because they provide fresh air for our bodies.”
The exercise launched in Bugesera district will be implemented together with the Rwandan Ministry of Environment.
The latest drive is in line with the Rwanda government efforts to tackle climate change.
Rwanda has committed to plant 63 million trees by the end of 2023 to promote environment conservation and climate adaptation, according to the Ministry of Environment.
Due to efforts aimed to protect existing forests and reforestation, more than 30 percent of Rwanda’s surface is covered by forests, equivalent to 724,695 hectares, according to the ministry’s data.
