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Voices
Russell Pollitt, S.J., is America’s Johannesburg correspondent.
Fidelis Mukonori, S.J. Photo by Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Just two hours after army tanks rolled out onto the streets of Harare in November, Father Mukonori got a call asking him to meet with the army’s generals.
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Last week Kenyans went back to the voting polls after the Supreme Court annulled elections in August.
Workers march in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sept. South Africa's biggest union group held marches nationwide to protest what it alleges is chronic corruption fueled by President Jacob Zuma and a prominent family of businessmen, reflecting public anger over a scandal that has ensnared several international companies. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
The bishops “urge constitutional experts and the law reform commission to guide the nation on the feasibility of establishing an anti-corruption court, with specialized prosecutors, that would ensure speedy and efficient disposal of corruption cases and financial crimes.”
Government officials joined Catholics and other citizens from across the country at a march against human trafficking on Aug. 26. (photo by Bishop José Luis Ponce de Leon)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Swaziland's police commissioner praised the Diocese of Manzini and Bishop José Luis Ponce de Leon for organizing marches to help in "the fight against crime."
A supporter of opposition leader Raila Odinga celebrates after hearing the decision of Kenya's Supreme Court on Sept. 1 to nullify President Uhuru Kenyatta's election win last month. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Kenya's highest court finds irregularities in the vote tally from this summer's election, orders new vote within 60 days.
Mine workers sing during the commemoration ceremonies in Marikana, South Africa, on Aug. 16, 2017. Protestors complain that no one has been punished and conditions have not improved since Aug. 16, 2012, when police opened fire on workers demanding wage increases and better living conditions. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Despite the fall of apartheid in 1994 and the reconciliatory tone set by the country’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, the demon of racism is very much alive here.
Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, head of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, seated right, with other CRL members (photo courtesy of CRL)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
The director of Freedom of Religion South Africa, Michael Swain, said that government had no business “meddling with religion.”
President Jacob Zuma addressing the BRICS Leaders Meeting ahead of the G-20 Leaders Summit, July 7 in Hamburg. (Photo: GCIS)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
One of the themes that emerged from A.N.C. conference was party renewal. Father Mkhatshwa is skeptical. He says that the A.N.C. is redeemable, but “they need new people to do it.”
Economic Freedom Fighters in red are forcibly removed from parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb. 9, 2017. Parliament descended into chaos with opposition lawmakers denouncing President Jacob Zuma as a "scoundrel" and "rotten to the core" because of corruption allegations and then brawling with guards who dragged them out of the chamber. (AP Photo/Sumaya Hisham, Pool)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
The Economic Freedom Fighters party say it will not respect an “illegitimate president” after Mr. Zuma was found to have violated his office by the country’s highest court in 2016.
A billboard calling for the inauguration of Adam Barrow as president on Feb. 18 is set on the side of a road in Serrukunda, Gambia, on Jan. 27. Hundreds of thousands turned out on Jan. 26 to greet President Adama Barrow, a week after he took the oath of office in neighboring Senegal. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Politics & SocietyDispatches
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
After a few tense weeks, a peaceful and bloodless transfer of power has taken place in the West African nation of Gambia.