--- title: "While you were sleeping: 12 April 2016" description: "Venezuela clamps down on opposition amnesty, China growls at maritime conservatives, and 6 reds in Oceania game." 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/2016-04-12-while-you-were-sleeping-12-april-2016/" published: "2016-04-12T05:58:03" updated: "2016-04-12T05:58:43" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 939 --- # While you were sleeping: 12 April 2016 > Venezuela clamps down on opposition amnesty, China growls at maritime conservatives, and 6 reds in Oceania game. By John Stupart · Published 12 April 2016, 07:58 SAST · Updated 12 April 2016, 07:58 SAST ## Content | \| \\| *“If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”*– **Dalai Lama XIV** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| | | --- | | \| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/7c5729b7-c6ea-4c60-996e-501e1e202627.jpg) \\| \\| --- \\| \\| [TRAINSPOTTER: #BringBackTheGuptas](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-trainspotter-bringbacktheguptas/) Seriously. Bring them back right now. By RICHARD POPLAK--- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Venezuela's opposition amnesty cancelled** Venezuela's high court has struck down an amnesty granted by the president. Aimed at opposition leaders imprisoned by President Nicolás Maduro, the court deemed certain crimes to be apolitical and more reminiscent of organised crime. Maduro's interference in the entire affair had zero impact, to be certain. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-venezuelan-high-court-scraps-opposition-amnesty) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **China grumbles at G7 maritime resolution** China is "strongly dissatisfied" with a Group of Seven resolution calling for restraint in maritime territorial disputes. Given that China is the primary global culprit of unrestrained maritime territorial expansion, this would make sense. Not being invited to the G7 meeting probably helped fuel strong feelings of dissatisfaction too. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-china-slams-g7-statement-on-maritime-disputes) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Fujimori in Peru election run-off** Keiko Fujimori faces a run-off against Pedro Pablo Kuczynski for the presidential ticket. Fujimori gained remarkable support during elections on Sunday, but her father's imprisonment for corruption still lingers over her own political career. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-divisive-fujimori-faces-runoff-battle-to-lead-peru) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Six red cards in Oceania Champions League** A game between Samoa's Kiwi FC and Nadi FA of Fiji saw the referee doling out six red cards. The Oceania Champions League bout was constantly interrupted by fighting between players, who swiftly received red cards, and resulted in a 4-3 victory for the Kiwis. This is no record, however; a fifth division Argentinian match saw 36 red cards doled out by the ref. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-youre-off-ref-shows-six-red-cards-in-fiery-clash) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **405,494** \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The number of Reichsmarks Hitler was fined for not paying taxes. In response Hitler made himself tax-exempt. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Today is Jacob Zuma's birthday.**Here's hoping Khulubuse doesn't eat all the cake.**Fact of the day:****Alexey Pajitnov designed the hit game Tetris.** Being in the Soviet Union, however, meant that Patjitnov never received a single cent in royalties.--- \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather & Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 14° max: 27°, cloudy CPT: min: 16° max: 24°, cloudy DBN: min: 21° max: 33°, cloudy EL: min: 21° max: 29°, cloudy JHB: min: 13° max: 28°, sunny KIM: min: 16° max: 28°, cloudy NLP: min: 11° max: 30°, sunny PMB: min: 13° max: 30°, sunny PKN: min: 12° max: 28°, sunny PE: min: 18° max: 24°, sunny PTA: min: 14° max: 28°, sunny \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$42.53 Gold=$1,256.53 Platinum=$987.21 R/$=14.68 R/€=16.75 R/£=20.90 $/€=1.14 JSE All Share=51,428.08 DJIA=17,651.02 FTSE 100=6,200.12: [Source](http://emma.thewww.dailymaverick.co.za/servlet/link/3890/618590/129788333/3233800) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **FEATURES**\\\| ![bring-back-the-guptas.jpg](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/lPGYw-GlUm1r5AcJDjKIO3AKcSlP877P1Ll9mxBTSbbVq8DXYBXl08nIsBE9bej3ZTWv7YA3mR6-qEzudFfToYQxS2IGeQQTTwqCUgLOa0B0kcbfUFe4OOnWIUfLcuiu3hGgxhzvZ1qshFX60KAV=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70bring-back-the-guptas.jpg) \\\| [TRAINSPOTTER: #BringBackTheGuptas](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-trainspotter-bringbacktheguptas/) By Richard Poplak \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Photo: Minister Des van Rooyen (GCIS photo)](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/iWMvNw4NwQb4uiI0kXO0dgs4MlWhjOBH9g0-7TkFbP_MXmMdvPbYiNrNWf0Eh8GCfNfqr41y-Po7TtIKIQGDs3FuXRxKBXMl9GlHGOLqCzG46l8fyAeAwCvayXmeVbEujq-UnGe-LPbyvT22zw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70MarianneT-VanRooyen.jpg) \\\| [Dubaigate: Des van Rooyen does a disappearing act a day before important press briefing](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-dubaigate-des-van-rooyen-does-a-disappearing-act-a-day-before-important-press-briefing/) By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_u0BSLxUp3hI78AFe7tFQm2OcE1KiWuo20dV4HC0ueS2IeRuT08t3Nw3KtUhHW8RkSjcXLWDq_LbilXZ9N8XA6gVd47na1MTFmNIHoCW2ughGT5EXBDehp7P5CHcwD3CiTy0TXBbRbpU_yby-os=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Black-holes-Marelise.jpg)aligned galaxy jets. The image on the left has white circles around the aligned galaxies; the image on the right is without the circles. Image supplied by Prof Russ Taylor, UCT" /> \\\| [Black Holes 'NSinc: The SA discovery that’s got astronomers in a spin](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-black-holes-nsinc-the-sa-discovery-thats-got-astronomers-in-a-spin/) By Marelise van der Merwe \\\| \\\| ![BreytenBreytenbach-letter-to-UCT.jpg](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/KSS7wJFFf-Z24bt1bmOPF-akUluHQX21vH1Qkw6mKuBlVKKI9OckDT77mbtfdChsxHXBp7b0ZlNRrlz0JeC8qUUiWiBtD2pWtQ26SnrCL25QFibdMorihryPATowng3mvtJ5R4-ujtN8Oz0_cxG6LIukg2Z7o3KkVAc=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70BreytenBreytenbach-letter-to-UCT.jpg) \\\| [Letter to the Editor: Breyten Breytenbach on vanishing UCT artworks and blank minds](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-letter-to-the-editor-breyten-breytenbach-on-vanishing-uct-artworks-and-blank-minds/) By BREYTEN BREYTENBACH \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/oAIIlFBb4pp--Wrmb03LrCH0xd2LIYeNHvTJUPlpxfaqwsnSwZwP5RhXMp5Kkju1pumRNQ9Ah8mDqoy_ind7jS3Lax23N15U2Vt5uYG5DXiFWZ6es3HWlbMxPzyKpiizalOfQL1PTWdUYEVOgGNm-5pO5yJi=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Art-Tony-Jackman-MAIN-PHOTO.jpg)GroundUp" /> \\\| [Burning Insight: When ignorance destroys art](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-12-burning-insight-when-ignorance-destroys-art/) By Tony Jackman \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/bu-7dG3-sj_C_RWZ9P87ZAc5cuzM2V6nGK8Lyek52eaeCK11uDB7_q3X3ds2V-k-rpc8wGwBVI-whF1WmurXBl1AUD7ceYO1CJ8OIT8hLDXtPHKEqoNutzb3AYrkE74wUfU5KfXS00kAhGUEmBVM8hc=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Aimee-Clarke-Zandspruit.jpg)Zandspruit, an informal settlement west of Johannesburg, South Africa, 17 March 2016. Community members blocked and barricaded roads surrounding the settlement, after their illegal electricity connections where removed by Johannesburg Council workers almost a week ago. EPA/SHIRAAZ MOHAMED." /> \\\| [Current of Discontent: An ‘act of madness’ precipitates civil unrest in Zandspruit](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-current-of-discontent-an-act-of-madness-precipitates-civil-unrest-in-zandspruit/) By AIMEE CLARKE \\\| \\\| ![Guptas-reaction-Bheki-MAIN-PHOTO.jpg](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/c328PxOYJ-1qjORcy9icq4fylc91YnXw64Utjbxlk_ylhV01WxxmZn9HWhh9DTzgpFf29KjHA5w26NxGbuLH2vCqfAb46Xg9f8LM07SsNlzMG0c0taFSXsHDfiGOMGWjQRucsJkgcsK64oeisGQulXGPbJvWleul8oM=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Guptas-reaction-Bheki-MAIN-PHOTO.jpg) \\\| [‘Definitely suspicious’: South Africans react to the Guptas’ departure](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-definitely-suspicious-south-africans-react-to-the-guptas-departure/) By BHEKI C. SIMELANE \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/xa0j7oQacX8VPqKXDDCONlfidy53CITW5546zMZqH_Lu2gcKQCDXEOM3xh7Jv9ThD-O77AOWCXLoS9I_xusq2B38EqWNAHQggLWIQicrxnb91K5xE2bWKQu6Q9plYKMSiLaMsh-Dac6RumtOkfbr=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Darfur2-Simon-Allison.jpg)Khartoum, Sudan, 19 October 2015. According to reports Bashir detailed a number of measures to improve the Sudanese economy and proposed a referendum for April 2016 in the Darfur region as part of a strategy to promote a sustainable peace in the conflict riven area. EPA/MORWAN ALI" /> \\\| [Sudan: Darfur referendum is another step in Bashir’s rehabilitation](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-sudan-darfur-referendum-is-another-step-in-bashirs-rehabilitation/) By Simon Allison \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ZEewPyQ0bpGOCpO6Uup80jvDIM5tW-6lMVw1JznnAxT5jf6JDqMiIaqvZrRfBcN9otwy24AxJ1TJGodj0V2_p93JjOUaeN13ph535rO3FUaNp6OqscVw6spNDgC9U5xC9fkviO0H9kO8JB8j_LCLDEqtnw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Groundup-Sea-Point-school.jpg)photo) in Sea Point has been sold to a private owner. Housing activists want to stop the transfer from taking place, and rather have the land used for affordable housing. Photo: City of Cape Town website." /> \\\| [GroundUp Report: Activists ask court to stop province selling Sea Point property](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-groundup-report-activists-ask-court-to-stop-province-selling-sea-point-property/) By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/SAe_6bzoC1iLN7eOjmY_Ox3WG4Vb094O-saZozK8YmpsEJPmjFZR8HuLBEoZjDebL1A2f4YR3WvGWHAcxpZnBH28frSLTYdpd6bOnQxLrU39-jRLECnwurekcwcvHLaxo4uG5g8EBE1movUk_nQ_=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Idriss-Deby-ISS-Today.jpg)leaves the Elysee Palace after a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris, France, 14 May 2015. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT" /> \\\| [Chad: Idriss Déby protected by international partners for strategic reasons](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-chad-idriss-dby-protected-by-international-partners-for-strategic-reasons/) By ISS TODAY \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zAUeXp2Fz5tyitAvQjIZWCEnK3H_8-xJHPBkE-58e75Tal2aN7kkrakOAosjC3QHyXmzbTmprBzm3AvroMiFyTp7XT78qh8lxS0a-XXPu_FO8hrX8cxD7s1AYLNOwUw7iYbtJCzX3wBHjghW03RaI75-UsAXYDb-be5OesVqhdhs=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70ICG-Stabilising-Syria-s-Northern-Border.jpg)Syrian-Turkish border near Sanliurfa, Turkey, 27 September 2014. EPA/SEDAT SUNA" /> \\\| [ICG: Steps towards stabilising Syria’s Northern Border](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-icg-steps-towards-stabilising-syrias-northern-border/) By International Crisis Group \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Ptbl6f0Rt3qo8_faDax2iaASZTMt4386HrV3loxl_TEEhafKy65h7pK1V0CVsqfdDbPaBQdZiQAWgX5gmdzsQL07UYA1t2XbA6apuP9AXj-ICr8fSukIUi2Xsgc1ts6jPzLYJmKnwVIqFmhypUNcutq_CQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70ICG-Justice-in-Bangladesh.jpg)fire to a pile of bicycle tyres as they protest against the murder of fellow student and online activist, 25-year-old law student Nazimuddin Samad, in the old part of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 07 April 2016. The secular activist and critic of religious fundamentalism was murdered in Bangladesh allegedly by Islamist extremists, although the police are still investigating the motive and have not ruled out any other hypothesis, several sources said. EPA/MONIRUL ALAM" /> \\\| [ICG: Political Conflict, Extremism and Criminal Justice in Bangladesh](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-icg-political-conflict-extremism-and-criminal-justice-in-bangladesh/) By International Crisis Group \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/N8Mn3UVTLPgb0aiA7OpMRP8DhjB3hKBFTk17R2QMq5gOkrUolEPd3amlJoao0V3xpsPtcMlqdlaU4V22ll3SIpN-Sf2by3p4mbsE8uDkB7BklkOUZDPB9fB79e8NuX2ECVehzhi9lQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70063_520272868.jpg)rally for his campaign on 10 April 2016 in Rochester, New York. The New York Democratic primary is scheduled for 19 April. Brett Carlsen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP" /> \\\| [While you were sleeping: 11 April 2016](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-11-while-you-were-sleeping-11-april-2016/) By John Stupart \\\|**OPINIONS**\\\| ![IvoVegterBW](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ciAM4qJZ9CPpJ6XmXCdbBFz1Y2aIPzZuGHPIazJ1l0J8zeq3LCw_6oQSOIWk6fEGCdH4uhbdnu1k4IYbqrBrUK9kn4HKjda7rq38xP2mlJ4ht2_djFdi3F_eSKa-xb7dlwShfH3Q5yFambesu4_BNRcHsDOkkUE2U-E=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70562c5ffb4076dfd1ddee1be88f4bf94a.jpg) \\\| [Panama Papers: Beware of guilt by insinuation](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-12-panama-papers-beware-of-guilt-by-insinuation/) By Ivo Vegter \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![ian-von-memerty.jpg](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fmryznyaqEjIsSSm_dMVXwmTNn8T_Ci7hJzZbsr6TUlLXdsqTEB1s_W5G_1X05_tCFHtPhSGUbC00pv2PYBXHjMg-RwRlPyFo9hBz2FWNvuVHzQ9kETt3JOFK1XOTe5uDnv_hUrXsNvs=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70ian-von-memerty.jpg) \\\| [Change is inevitable, but does the ANC accept that?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-12-change-is-inevitable-but-does-the-anc-accept-that/) By Ian von Memerty \\\| \\\| ![rhulani-siweya-for-columnist-profile.jpg](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Jok3s3AbzIaCJvfyWf_5gKnGEIo6T6o1a4eCUFl_4RCrLP9EuxO8tM6Poj0JUHQ3UWpvVcnHLfV5Ids-vcOb8x7GiOz8wT_yI65bsyxIZsJjFk1kLuyK0u8NsbTfg16KQUMlkf8jgQCK0Tk3TGxNuDB3uzN7Uoa5c2dMi4OV=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70rhulani-siweya-for-columnist-profile.jpg) \\\| [Mogoeng Mogoeng paid the black professional price](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-12-mogoeng-mogoeng-paid-the-black-professional-price/) By Rhulani Thembi Siweya \\\| \\\| ![paul-hoffman.jpg](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/kIqcaBg8h_GSn9eImxQq6FEMz-3AaRCy9-8AMNgyhIKxLV807HjzAMxMD1FnJXlHPpU_idvC1qylmywWfLhCip31_KirX6RchnS9KwTn1PrIniIJ9HEVtOOPOu-xzcQdJz2DTAt9=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70paul-hoffman.jpg) \\\| [To which ‘African way’ do you refer, President Zuma?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-11-to-which-african-way-do-you-refer-president-zuma/) By Paul Hoffman \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |