UFO AFRINEWS - No 03

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO AFRINEWS
Issue: No. 3
Date: May 1990
Publisher: UFO Afrinews
Country: Zimbabwe

This issue of UFO Afrinews delves into a controversial alleged UFO crash incident and critically examines the evidence, while also exploring natural phenomena as potential explanations for sightings.

Editorial Comment

The editorial, written by Editor Cynthia Hind, reflects on her personal journey from skepticism to a more open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. She recounts attending an International UFO Conference and experiencing what felt like an out-of-body experience, leading her to question her previous dismissive attitude. Hind contrasts her own approach with that of 'armchair professors' like Philip Klass and James Oberg, whom she sees as overly complex and dismissive. She recalls her youthful enthusiasm in the late 1960s to debunk UFO sightings, including claims of entities and physical traces, often attributing them to hoaxes or misidentifications, such as the case involving Danie van Graan and the Rosmead Tennis Court incident.

UFO Crash on Botswana/South African Border (Case N° 21)

This lengthy article investigates an alleged UFO crash on May 7, 1989, which was reportedly revealed by Dr. Henry Azadehdel, who claimed to have information from South African Intelligence officers. The incident involved a radar detection of an unidentified object by the South African naval frigate 'White Swan', heading towards the coast at an extraordinary speed of 5746 nautical miles per hour. Two Mirage jets were scrambled, and the object was allegedly hit by a Thor 2 experimental laser cannon, crashing 70 km into Botswana. The report describes the recovery of the craft, the emergence of two injured alien creatures, and their subsequent transport to Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio.

The article then systematically discredits the report through detailed analysis:

• Spelling Errors: The document, purportedly Top Secret SAAF paper, contained numerous spelling mistakes ('dessert' for desert, 'poppulace', 'eminating', 'iniahalation', 'dissapation'), which are deemed unlikely for an official S.A. Air Force document.
• Language: The report was in English, which is considered unlikely given that the High Command is predominantly Afrikaans-speaking.
• Hieroglyphic Writing: A document with strange writing found inside the craft was presented as evidence of alien language.
• Military Ranks: The mention of 'Squadron Leader Jones' is incorrect, as this rank does not exist in the SAAF; it would likely be a Captain or Major.
• Logistical Issues: Maria Sullivan points out that if the crash was in Botswana, South African authorities would need permission to cross the border. She also questions how a plane could circle for an extended period without refuelling and the feasibility of retrieving an object from a desolate area within the given timeframe.
• Alien Survival: Questions are raised about the aliens' survival of a heavy impact and their ability to attack medics if they were severely injured.
• Measurements: The report mixes metric and imperial measurements (yards, metres, feet, tonnes), which is inconsistent.
• Base Identification: Valhalla Air Force Base is identified as a training and administrative base, not a primary operational one, and the nearest AFB, Swartkops, is unsuitable for jets.
• Mirage Fuel Supply: Mirages are noted to have limited fuel supply, making prolonged circling unlikely.
• Afrikaans Language: The primary language for official reports in the SA Defence Force is Afrikaans.
• Frigate Secrecy: South African frigates are public knowledge, and there is no secrecy surrounding them.

David Powell further discredits the report by noting that Pretoria is a city, not an AFB, and that the Naval HQ is at Simonstown. He also doubts the existence of the Thor 2 Laser cannon and points out that GMT is not used in South Africa, where Universal Time is standard.

The article also introduces James van Greunen, allegedly an Intelligence Officer, who is presented as the source of the story. Van Greunen is described as having a history of questionable dealings, including promoting a UFO group with a high joining fee and issuing a cheque that bounced. He is also accused of attempting to mislead people and potentially fabricating information.

Hilary Evans Writes

Hilary Evans discusses the tendency to seek all-or-nothing explanations in research and the association of researchers with specific theories. She addresses the accusation of 'stewpot thinking' and clarifies her perspective on UFO research. Evans suggests that a large proportion of UFO reports originate in the human mind, even if triggered by a physical phenomenon. However, she also acknowledges the possibility of genuine phenomena and the need to consider various hypotheses, including extraterrestrial interaction, though she notes the evidence for this is meagre. She emphasizes that no single line of approach should be adopted exclusively and that assessing probabilities is crucial.

Evans also touches upon the 'ball of light' phenomenon and Dr. Terence Meaden's hypothesis about plasma vortices generating luminous spheres, suggesting this could explain some UFO sightings, including Case 2 from a previous issue of UFO Afrinews. She questions how many sightings are purely psychological or 'BOL-UFOs'.

Recent Cases

Case N° 15: Aircrew Sighting of UFO - Moçambique, 11th February 1988:

Commandant Simplicio Pinto, piloting a Boeing 737 for Moçambique Airlines (LAM), reported observing an enormous object described as a wing parachute or flying mattress with an intense white fluorescent light. The object was stationary south of Beira and was also seen by the Control Tower and picked up on Air Force radar. Pinto flew closer, observing three searchlight-like lights in a triangle. The object climbed vertically, and radar contact was lost. The sighting lasted for three hours according to ground staff and 45 minutes for Pinto and his crew. Initial impressions suggested it might be a weather balloon, but NASA and CSIR provided no comment.

Case N° 16: Tzaneen Mountain Case:

Tony and Janet Creed reported seeing two objects that appeared as small, darker grey clouds with a 'woolly' appearance on September 5, 1983, near Tzaneen, South Africa. The objects were observed to have a slight movement and became more solid-looking as they moved closer.

Case N° 17: A Strange Pattern of Lights:

This case is mentioned as being fully reported in Timothy Good's book 'THE UFO REPORT 1990'.

Cases not previously reported:

This section lists several cases without providing detailed descriptions in the provided pages, including:

• N° 13 Buckmasters Farm
• N° 14 The Irene Township Sighting
• N° 18 a) b) c) Further Reports from Dave van Rhyn
• N° 19 The 'Rooster Crowing Alien'
• N° 20 Some Intimate Encounters

Letters to the Editor

This section is listed on the contents page but not detailed in the provided text.

How to Become a UFO Investigator

This section is listed on the contents page but not detailed in the provided text.

Follow-up to Case N° 7: Du Toit's Kloof

This section is listed on the contents page but not detailed in the provided text.

Book Review and Commentary

This section is listed on the contents page but not detailed in the provided text.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical analysis of UFO reports, particularly alleged crashes and official cover-ups. There is a strong emphasis on investigative rigor, questioning official narratives, and seeking verifiable evidence. The editorial stance, as expressed by Cynthia Hind, is one of moving beyond initial skepticism to a more thorough and open-minded examination of phenomena, while simultaneously advocating for a disciplined approach to fact-finding. The issue also highlights the debate between physical explanations, psychological interpretations, and the possibility of extraterrestrial origins for UFO sightings, suggesting that a multi-faceted approach is necessary.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, Volume 22, Number 2, dated March/April 1988, focuses on UFO sightings and encounters primarily from Zimbabwe and South Africa. The magazine presents a collection of witness testimonies, case studies, and practical advice for UFO investigators.

Case Reports and Witness Testimonies

The issue details several intriguing cases:

Case N° 17: A STRANGE PATTERN OF LIGHTS

This report describes an incident on November 4th, 1989, where lights suddenly appeared on the left side of the road, hovering over ISCOR power lines. The lights were pulsating rapidly and were visible for about 10-12 minutes. The object then appeared to get smaller, climb at an angle of about 12°, and disappear.

Case N° 13: BUCKMASTERS FARM CASE, May 1951

Mr. T.P.F. recounts an experience at Buckmasters Farm near Marlborough Township. He observed an object moving slowly from the north, which appeared as two shallow elliptical dishes. The object changed shape, stopped, and then rose vertically at excessive speed. The sighting was witnessed by his ex-wife, daughter, and farm labourers. The witness estimated the object's size at 15-20 metres and its altitude at 400-600 metres.

Case N° 18 (a), (b), (c): FURTHER REPORTS FROM DAVE VAN RHYN

Dave van Rhyn, a former voluntary policeman, reports three encounters:

• (a) 1956 Sighting: As a schoolboy, he witnessed objects flying in a zig-zag formation and others stationary for about an hour. Air Force jets were scrambled, and pilots reported the UFOs were much larger than the jets.
• (b) 1972 Encounter: While driving from Bulawayo to Harare, he saw a ball of light hovering above trees. The object moved parallel to his car and then shot off into the stars.
• (c) 1974 Incident: An event occurred during the war of independence in Zimbabwe.

Case N° 19: THE 'ROOSTER CROWING ALIEN'

Jan Oberholzer of Pretoria, South Africa, recounts an experience from the early fifties. He describes a dream-like encounter on a farm where an 'alien' person emerged from a landed object. The alien had long black hair and a dark skin, and made strange 'rooster crowing' noises. The object was described as having the shape of a lapco valve and was standing on three legs.

Case N° 20: SOME INTIMATE ENCOUNTERS

'Irrira' shares her experiences, including an encounter where she felt a 'man' standing in her room. She describes his suit as soft, silvery metallic material with antennae on the hood. She felt a 'vibration' and the person disappeared. Later, she and her husband experienced a sense of presence, with the hairs on their legs standing on edge.

Another report from Dave van Rhyn describes a large, glowing, football-field-sized object with a humming sound that rose from a hollow and passed overhead, causing his sergeant to tremble with fear.

Follow-up to Case 7 (UFO AFRINEWS 2, June 1989): DU TOIT'S KLOOF CASE

Henry provides a revised account of a contact that occurred around Christmas 1952. He describes a crewman explaining the operation of magnets for flight, involving a heavy liquid flowing through a coil to produce a gravity field. He also mentions a material that could be charged to oppose or shield gravity, which he was told was not available on Earth.

Henry also recounts an experience during World War II working on automatic pilots and gunsights that used gyroscopes. He later heard about a man who had achieved a large reduction in weight or opposed gravity with a gyroscope.

UFO Investigation Guidelines

The magazine provides a detailed guide on how to become a UFO investigator. It emphasizes the importance of keeping meticulous records in a loose-leaf file, including:

• Place, Date, Time: Essential details of the sighting.
• Witnesses: Identifying main and other witnesses.
• Weather Conditions: Recording atmospheric conditions.
• Physical Marks: Documenting any damage to trees, plants, burn marks, or ground impressions, including close-ups with a ruler for scale.
• Site Views: Taking panoramic and wide-angle views of the site, including the placement of trees and rocks.
• Measurements: Recording measurements of marks and distances from the witness point to the object's landing site.
• Mapping: Drawing a map of the site, indicating features and the flight path of the UFO.
• Photographs: Using a camera (preferably black/white film or colour slides) to document all aspects of the case.
• Samples: Collecting samples from the site, including soil, leaves, stones, and bark, and placing them in labelled plastic bags. Checking for radioactivity with a Geiger counter is also recommended.
• Reporting: Submitting information to MUFON or a local UFO representative.

Letters to the Editor

MB of Masvingo responds to a letter from Hélène, discussing the nature of dreams and their potential connection to UFO experiences. MB outlines four ways consciousness can operate, including precognitive dreams and directed conscious mind travel.

Moses Marimira from Battalion Battle School, Nyanga, Zimbabwe, writes to request more books about UFOs and asks for explanations regarding their origin, questioning if they are from other planets, caused by natural forces, or from a 'wiser group of people'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the diversity of UFO sightings, the detailed nature of witness testimonies, and the practical aspects of UFO investigation. The magazine appears to adopt a serious and methodical approach to the subject, providing a platform for reporting and analyzing UFO phenomena. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and investigation while acknowledging the often baffling nature of the experiences described.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, identified as N° 4, delves into a range of topics within the ufological and parapsychological spheres. The content includes theoretical discussions on physics related to UFOs, personal accounts of encounters, and extensive book reviews that analyze contemporary and historical works in the field. The magazine appears to cater to an audience interested in in-depth research and alternative explanations for unexplained phenomena.

Physics of UFO Propulsion

The first part of the magazine, presented on pages 38-39, explores the concept of centrifugal force and its potential application to UFO propulsion. It uses diagrams and mathematical formulas to illustrate how the velocity and diameter of a fluid flow, such as mercury, could generate an upward force. The text discusses how the area and weight of liquid are proportional to the diameter squared, and inversely, the velocity is proportional to the diameter. It concludes that a resultant upward force can be generated, and that if single coils are joined to form a spiral, the forces would be additive.

Personal Encounter and Analysis

Pages 40-41 feature a personal account from a witness referred to as 'Henry'. Henry recounts his experience with a UFO, initially questioning whether it was a real event or a hallucination. He notes the similarity to another sighting in Madrid years later. Henry also discusses his attempts to build a working model based on his experience, which was hindered by practical and financial constraints. He expresses his conviction that his encounter was real, despite opinions that UFOs are purely mental phenomena. The text also mentions the disappearance of an oil can from the craft and the discovery of disc-shaped marks on the ground, approximately the size of a dinner plate.

Book Reviews

'Parapsychology and the UFO' by Manfred Cassirer

Pages 42-43 contain a review of Manfred Cassirer's book, 'Parapsychology and the UFO'. The reviewer, Prier Wintle, describes the book as a specialist's work aiming to explore parallels between scientific psychology and ufology. While acknowledging the author's objective, the reviewer points out shortcomings, including the book's brevity (62 pages) with an excessive number of chapters (29), leading to a terse style that resembles a 'gardener's catalogue'. The reviewer suggests the book might be too intellectually 'clever' or 'superior' for general readers, preferring the directness and conviction found in Jacques Vallée's 'Dimensions'. However, the reviewer concedes that if the book encourages parapsychologists to study UFOs, its labor will have been justified.

'Disneyland of the Gods' by John Keel

Pages 44-47 provide an extensive review and commentary on John Keel's book, 'Disneyland of the Gods'. The reviewer expresses admiration for Keel's work, noting that it has gained wider acceptance over time. The review contrasts Keel's approach with earlier theories, such as the extraterrestrial hypothesis, and highlights Keel's consideration of a broader range of possibilities, including psychological and sociological factors. Keel's methodology, which included detailed questionnaires to witnesses, is praised. The reviewer notes that Keel's theory posits UFOs as a form of conscious energy rather than physical craft from elsewhere. The review emphasizes the importance of investigating physical trace cases and interviewing witnesses directly, aligning with Keel's research methods.

Other Book Mentions

Pages 48-49 list several other recent UFO books available for purchase, including 'The UFO Report 1990' by Timothy Good, 'Circular Evidence' by Pat Delgado and Colin Andrews, 'Phenomenon' edited by John Spencer, 'The Gulf Breeze Sightings' by Ed and Frances Walters, and 'UFO Contact from Planet Koldas' and 'UFOs-African Encounters' related to the 'Edwin' case.

The 'Edwin' Case

Pages 48-49 also detail the story of 'Edwin', who claims to have had contact with an alien named Valdar from the planet Koldas. This narrative, published in Carl van Vlierden's book 'The Twelve Planets Speak', describes communications that began in 1961 and continued via radio for 29 years. The magazine presents this as a communication record, leaving the reader to decide whether to believe it, while noting that some sections strain credulity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS consistently explores the multifaceted nature of the UFO phenomenon, moving beyond simplistic explanations. There is a clear emphasis on rigorous investigation, including physical evidence and witness testimony, as championed by John Keel. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded but critical stance, encouraging readers to consider a wide range of theories, from physical propulsion mechanisms to psychological and sociological interpretations. The editorial stance seems to favor detailed research and the examination of diverse perspectives, acknowledging that the ultimate truth may be complex and encompass multiple explanations. The recurring theme is the need for continued investigation and open inquiry into the UFO mystery.