---
title: "While you were sleeping: 31 March 2016"
description: "Trump in abortion statement scandal, gunmen storm Libyan TV channel, and Azarenka to Miami semis."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "South Africa"
author: "John Stupart"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-31-while-you-were-sleeping-31-march-2016/"
published: "2016-03-31T06:05:03"
updated: "2016-03-31T06:07:00"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 893
---

# While you were sleeping: 31 March 2016

> Trump in abortion statement scandal, gunmen storm Libyan TV channel, and Azarenka to Miami  semis.

By John Stupart · Published 31 March 2016, 08:05 SAST · Updated 31 March 2016, 08:07 SAST

## Content

| \| \\| *“I’m beginning to recognise that real happiness isn’t something large and looming on the horizon ahead but something small, numerous and already here. The smile of someone you love. A decent breakfast. The warm sunset. Your little everyday joys all lined up in a row.”*  **– Beau Taplin** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |
| --- |
| \| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/018abcc2-59c5-4352-80ac-d00ca0fee540.jpg) \\| \\| --- \\| \\| [Day of Judgment: Deliver us from Nkandla – and Zuma’s impunity](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-day-of-judgment-deliver-us-from-nkandla-and-zumas-impunity/)  If President Jacob Zuma had experienced a twinge of guilt about the money the state had spent on his private home at Nkandla, he would have complied with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s recommendations and paid back a “reasonable” amount. But just like his relationship with the controversial Gupta family, Zuma wanted the issue dead and buried. Two years after the release of Madonsela’s report, the Constitutional Court will rule on Zuma’s lack of accountability on Nkandla. While this will bring the Nkandla issue to its zenith, it might also provide guidance to avoid another rigmarole on “state capture”. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY. \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Trump: Abortion punishment backlash** Not one to go a week without performing some manner of abysmal stunt, now Donald Trump has said women who have illegal abortions should be "punished". When the predictable backlash ensued, the Orange Menace attempted to sidestep the issue, but maintained that some manner of punishment would be suitable.  [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-31-trump-women-who-get-illegal-abortions-should-be-punished) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Gunmen attack Libyan TV station** Broadcasting from an Al Nabaa TV satellite station was cut late on Wednesday. Armed men stormed the station's premises and disconnected transmissions, demanding the resignation of the newly appointed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-31-gunmen-storm-libya-tv-station-as-un-backed-govt-told-to-leave) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **France charges terror suspect** Late on Wednesday saw Reda Kriket, 34, charged in a French court. Kriket had been arrested weeks earlier and assault rifles, explosives and ammunition seized at his premises. In the wake of Brussels, Pakistan and Paris attacks, sympathy is likely in short judicial supply. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-31-france-charges-main-suspect-in-foiled-attack-plot) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Azarenka surges to semi-finals** Victoria Azarenka has defeated Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals at the Miami Open. Azarenka, now ranked 5th, said she was playing better now than when she was ranked number one. Regardless, the next round looks set to be a highly entertaining bout. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-31-x-pin-to-desktop-x-tennis-back-in-form-azarenka-warns-best-is-yet-to-come) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **38** \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The number of years Creme Puff the cat lived, the longest in history. Creme Puff was fed a diet of bacon and eggs, asparagus, broccoli, and coffee with heavy cream, which might well be the key to long life for any species. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Today in 1985 Madison Square Garden held the first WrestleMania bout.**  **Fact of the day: The Red Wedding in Game of Thrones is actually based on reality.** In 1440, the 'Black Dinner' saw two youths from [Clan Douglas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Douglas#Black_Dinner) lured into a dinner, only to be dragged out and beheaded. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather & Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 16° max: 31°, cloudy CPT: min: 15° max: 21°, rainy DBN: min: 22° max: 31°, cloudy EL: min: 20° max: 24°, rainy JHB: min: 12° max: 29°, cloudy KIM: min: 17° max: 32°, sunny NLP: min: 17° max: 33°, sunny PMB: min: 13° max 30°, cloudy PKN: min: 13° max: 30°, sunny PE: min: 18° max: 23°, cloudy PTA: min: 15° max: 29°, cloudy \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$39.34 Gold=$1,227.32 Platinum=$965.27 R/$=14.91 R/€=16.90 R/£=21.45 $/€=1.12 JSE All Share=52,495.46 DJIA=17,652.36 FTSE 100=6,203.17 [Source](http://emma.thewww.dailymaverick.co.za/servlet/link/3890/618590/129788333/3233800) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **FEATURES**\\\| ![Photo: President Jacob Zuma (Greg Nicolson)](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/wLJDTEy1VPTdV2XeLbDa6ssfh8tIMB-mbRtadlU9EYljfN7LY-lWihag7_44aZhz9SZWgea2PTvxf5DlEShARtk2kuKwNpLyXDw3HarLqX27516OC_1zGv_KCK8QigJ7XcqOxOaaUnpbVKvuRaso=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Ranjeni-Zuma-Concourt.jpg) \\\| [Day of Judgment: Deliver us from Nkandla – and Zuma’s impunity](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-day-of-judgment-deliver-us-from-nkandla-and-zumas-impunity/) **By Ranjeni Munusamy** \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zrPy3uTZX6w3mL0QnrFbuXfYYz5Uzo9U2JeQEtg6kpQ-ENaCTVjqcwoy7Cvn7RQCzJqZKk0ybK37wFvcY5CAQHyWvNniBlP13rUOWuVpJXWh-idMMguyt6dncYj1A5Bsue7ILeY8J4-qtPRCe4JcJFWc5Q=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Gordhan-responds-to-Hawks.jpg)Commissioner Tom Moyane (Sapa)" /> \\\| [SARS Wars: Pravin Gordhan's response to the Hawks calls for protection of democratic institutions](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-sars-wars-pravin-gordhans-response-to-the-hawks-calls-for-protection-of-democratic-institutions/) **By Marianne Thamm** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/EhkbI8zy-LYj_sQteaa3IX2tNAfuVVB5IJ6pKuD43vA2QBbqQ0QK_tB6zsrIAx-P0vSSBoLJMlXPIIXW2bHN3M2K36iYjGtEjzIYlfg90d08yvt7prHrWCcyJ5N8AxK5CHSYwrvB=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Mahlobo-main.jpg)pre-Budget Vote media briefing at Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town, 5 May 2015. (Photo: GCIS)" /> \\\| [Analysis: Under David Mahlobo, State Security plays an increasingly powerful role](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-analysis-under-david-mahlobo-state-security-plays-an-increasingly-powerful-role/) **By Marianne Merten** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fQ_K40xXahua3Djb9mcObBicuDf6iAZfqE_5DW0aWMr9Xh-CpN5rROF20_3eJdi8k766aFPijzAKjdFtxQVoLY2KClFiSRx2yNmW1KJbsCRYvI4PqVMa51bGfCOOHxTqlde_psBscCcXufjWqYvzS0b10nej7vtgVA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70SA-foreign-policy-Fabricius-ISS.jpg)Constancia Mangue (R) during the state funeral for Spanish former Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez held at the Almudena's cathedral in Madrid, Spain, 31 March 2014. EPA/BALLESTEROS/POOL" /> \\\| [Op-Ed: The state capture of SA’s foreign policy](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-op-ed-the-state-capture-of-sas-foreign-policy/) **By PETER FABRICIUS** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/WA3Z0MN7aEBLQx2oq_xWFrxAbBt-T3wOQnUTmDpUtV-zoxaFv70lH0S2-xATVSYVROczWgmuGdSziYaIkBRFFJNn9kNlJqEiaw8Rbg11UMNN0XEdx3ohIb6-t-4zoT7bIrcwNTZD7Q=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Minaj-Madlala.jpg)Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, California, USA, 24 August 2014. EPA/MIKE NELSON" /> \\\| [Op-Ed: Was Nicki Minaj really music for Durban’s ears?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-op-ed-was-nicki-minaj-really-music-for-durbans-ears/) **By CYRIL MADLALA** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/m1Now6ozG38MFCXtVxVLJEA3RP4xonbLtAEXlvOY26ZKouarC3J0Zv_Mver6kevAUOUiCb5ymXejgoo7NqyLdFBPgGZcwJqNi6IHG_Xaz9DRu4H5sAFnAZLSHF3wIoeqJgjXn1bA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Boswell-main.jpg)after the Constitutional Court judgement." /> \\\| [Caged Innocence: The human cost of judicial error](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-caged-innocence-the-human-cost-of-judicial-error/) **By Carolyn Raphaely** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/QzztNTCYh31tHE5ePGouPH3umxhuItp3rBPSRPkLRiDlB6h7sEU6sRgS01DjsBrUBtZN4ztylV4aSyeFF0cc03bXxh3K8Moy0svmvl2-BA3jT3K2RxYjCcrM7Vhgugd4FoWvEXf1EE3QwBqzB2BnazFm2KyFYADoBw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Zanzibar-election-Simon-Allison.jpg)Ali Mohamed Shein inspects the guards of honor during a swearing-in ceremony held at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, Tanzania, 03 November 2010. EPA/EMMANUEL HERMAN" /> \\\| [Tanzania: The botched election that cost half a billion dollars, and counting](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-tanzania-the-botched-election-that-cost-half-a-billion-dollars-and-counting/) **By Simon Allison** \\\| \\\| ![Photo: Presidents Jacob Zuma and Richard Nixon.](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fftT7cTcg7ZEAh6RwCiAwkG2xFuroAZPSolnc2sxK8MDA7WOEAYVBRugHw7dwXtXwXGQiY2BhSwkyKcBn9me6sq5elCKXaFdK-J9tSJlcYEINFXKUfDIp4nL1deIQz-v1CyUJnY=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70vrot-Brooks.jpg) \\\| [Analysis: When good leaders go bad](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-31-analysis-when-good-leaders-go-bad/) **By J Brooks Spector** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/L6V0mkRGZocNdOTs2Ov5kruoxmITP7AnTVEEL49IrkeDzu1d4QTdf9YXKNCK_RfGBbt89shXsLSRnxkGZyPqV9nySB3j6bkp5UOwQ2_MdYGNw3MTbTlKsg5dzib0SLLVAPWgcNu-8L2PADwPefFD9QX8XPNF8zr8-4v31zM=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Chad-Between-Ambition-and-Fragility.jpg)chairperson of the African Union, follows proceedings during the 26th African Union Summit at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 January 2016. EPA/SOLAN KOLLI" /> \\\| [Chad: Between Ambition and Fragility](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-chad-between-ambition-and-fragility/) **By International Crisis Group** \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_NOazbRLyiiOAWfIVMACY95Sl22LFkBjFyR0KH3wONX8oRjDLbewHlEe1R5vKadhn2xNgJhjrGNRn0L0D0XT33Pnj03LNsU4zy5s0_nQFTb-DKmmK6CmYgr40rVXadyybsH9=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70000_963OW.jpg)was diverted to Cyprus, leaves the plane before surrendering to security forces after a six-hour standoff on the tarmac at Larnaca Airport's largely disused old terminal on 29 March 2016. The hijacker, who seized the Egyptian airliner and forced it to land in Cyprus, has been detained, Cypriot government spokesperson, Nicos Christodoulides, said. GEORGE MICHAEL / AFP" /> \\\| [While you were sleeping: 30 March](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-30-while-you-were-sleeping-30-march/) **By John Stupart** \\\|**OPINIONS**\\\| ![mark-heywood.jpg](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/-KfAvB1lrQGmG3dKc1wxPrgfX8A1goamDRLB_IG_PfsHdkFyKoD0GeP95qJiSRySxdSLjHxlaW6NPBcNM9iOAge54KlPrWpfSNbGZu_21lzsp-vM6ovN0NVbSMxrzy2Dfc1497cG=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70mark-heywood.jpg) \\\| [Democracy and the writer](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-03-30-democracy-and-the-writer/) **By Mark Heywood** \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Pierre de vos](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/cCSj89v0JSzta79kOw7VDEehV0HBz3hocFgA2sM9CtDW-XTp4aUZYUM4qPZA9Muo3FEP8fEa1JqJjzoVq8jWjPPRwGf-3Sa-Kz_NXYc98Dz0_4AwLZihFLAxW9ArhhRwmQuNaIfI4rWQ3qPkCYbpYztlyS6isz9aWJI=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70e41a4dfa4a643c00376ac2cc63396bfb.jpg) \\\| [Con Court Nkandla judgment preview: Forget about impeachment](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-03-30-con-court-nkandla-judgment-preview-forget-about-impeachment/) **By Pierre de Vos** \\\| \\\| ![HEADSHOT_Rich-Poplak_orange.jpg](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/eWi78F0FhzScDKVj-iZzN73cqbXb2Ql_7bZrm-S_tmS6zDGx9TjJhMlSvGYvEy5IoW20Vxt7NSYWDIPJyYik67bLxueg12C8zbpaDBksY5zEIn0gNRWjQS-S6irAzGDdbsx9UZNleQkqYoVF5U0olcOjJd3E=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70HEADSHOT_Rich-Poplak_orange.jpg) \\\| [Rupert vs Zuma: Death of Justice](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-03-31-rupert-vs-zuma-death-of-justice/) **By Richard Poplak** \\\| \\\| ![MareliseBW](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_ZrAnD_pkIEYePRuGyp8pSeCvP3NO2TQOsBIw2ek4p69qs9ncmHqcTzurRjDt9A_ks8LsXDPnApI73YybH5rFWFR89XVXC54iAFFNg1q5ApGtGgb18VfFBqzNNWZwCiCHtSEURaM_2JTzM_vd6LmuC6FqIz_8sxPbwU=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q707fc6b61188b1c5c5e41f8b57f7356f0c.jpg) \\\| [Truth vs Terror](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-03-31-truth-vs-terror/) **By Marelise van der Merwe** \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |