African press review 2 May 2014

The Nigerian press is horrified by a second deadly bomb attack in the capital, Abuja. Zuma steps into the SA platinum mining dispute. And South Africans abroad have voted.

The Nigerian Tribune describes gruesome scenes at the venue of the blast: bodies and pieces of human fresh scattered all over the place with a large crater gaping from spot where the car was detonated.

The Daily Sun says no fewer that 15 luxury buses, 60 commercial vehicles, 40 private cars and over 100 commercial motorcycles were set ablaze by the car bomb detonated as they waited in heavy traffic occasioned by security checks.

The Vanguard says the bombers, whose identities were yet to be revealed, struck at Wazobia Park, in the same Nyanya transit point opposite the scene of the previous strike 18 days ago.

While no one has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack, the Nation says the explosion may have confirmed the boast by the leader of Boko Haram, Imam Abubakar Shekau, that the sect has a presence in Abuja. A 28-minute video, posted on the internet by Shekau, apparently addressing President Goodluck Jonathan, warned that they are his city and claiming responsibility for the earlier attack, in which 75 people died, according to Punch.

In its own reaction to the attack, the Guardian observes that Nigeria’s main trade union federations, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, blame the terrorism scourge on bad politics.

ThisDay also holds that the attacks may not be unconnected with political considerations as the 2015 elections loom. It points out that a top security source had voiced strong suspicions that the bombings aimed to frighten possible participants and stop the country from hosting the World Economic Forum, due to be held in Abuja on 7-9 May.

Kenya’s Digital Standard says the Nigerian government had announced that 6,000 soldiers and police will be deployed to protect next week's summit, which is due to be attended by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, African leaders and a host of other international personalities.

The Daily Nation says that the bombing came amid mounting public outrage after one of Boko Haram's most shocking attacks, the mass kidnapping of more than 100 girls from their school in the north-east.

In South Africa the papers are all about a very special May Day overshadowed by campaigns for the 7 May general election.

BusinessDay reports that President Jacob Zuma on Thursday sought to quell the deep turmoil in the platinum mining sector, urging unions to recognise that strikes could not last forever and should not be allowed to descend into anarchy.

According to the paper, in a stump speech at an International Workers’ Day rally in Polokwane, Zuma attempted to draw a line in the sand for labour, urging unions to "act in good faith" and avoid resorting to "blackmail as a negotiating tool".

The Mail and Guardian reports that Zwelenzima Vavi, secretary general of the powerful Cosatu union federation, dumped his pro-ANC script and told workers in Port Elizabeth to take control of their future.

The Star claims that an interministerial committee led by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa is assessing security concerns in Rustenburg after Zuma abandoned a rally and a meet-and-greet in the north-west. On Tuesday the Johannesburg newspaper reported that traditional and religious leaders had asked Zuma to declare a state of emergency in the platinum belt because of the ongoing strikes.

Meanwhile, City Press is looking forward to the results of the early ballot by South Africans resident abroad as voting ended on Thursday.

The paper says it had learnt from the Independent Electoral Commission that votes cast at 116 South African missions are now being couriered in secure bags back to Election House in Centurion, where they will be checked against the list of voters who successfully notified the chief electoral officer of their intention to vote outside the republic.