UFO AFRINEWS - No 13

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO AFRINEWS
Issue: No. 13
Date: February 1996

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, published in Zimbabwe, focuses on the growing international interest in ufology and the controversial "alien body" film presented by Ray Santilli. The magazine features reports from various investigators across Southern Africa and discusses recent UFO conferences.

Editorial

Cynthia Hind, the editor, reflects on her recent return from international ufology conferences in Britain, Brazil, and Israel. She notes a significant increase in respect and interest in the subject of UFOs, with more people opening their minds to the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Hind observes a shift towards more intellectual discussion, with fewer "believers" and more "thinking and debating people." She attended the BUFORA Conference at Hallam University in Sheffield, which was well-attended, and describes the excitement and tension surrounding the screening of the Santilli film. Security was tight, with guards present to prevent unauthorized recording.

Hind also mentions meeting Jenny Randles, a UFO writer, and her work on the "STRANGE BUT TRUE" television series. She recounts her experiences in Brazil at the Third International UFO Conference in Curitiba, where the Santilli film was shown, resulting in a 50-50 vote on whether it was a hoax. Despite language barriers, she gathered that UFO events are prevalent globally, with abduction reports being similar worldwide. Her planned trip to Jordan was postponed due to a foot injury.

In Israel, Hind spoke to about 150 UFO enthusiasts at the Ramat Gan Museum in Tel Aviv and discovered an active UFO group. She notes an interesting case in Kadema involving shards of silicon and powder at a landing site, as well as grass swirls. Hind expresses hope that with truthful reporting, ufology might become an established science.

Table of Contents Highlights

• EDITORIAL: General commentary on the state of ufology.
• THE 'ALIEN BODY' FILM: In-depth report and analysis.
• UPDATE ON EARLIER CASES: Follow-up reports from investigators.
• A PECULIAR CLOUD-LIKE OBJECT: Investigation of a specific sighting.
• 'WHY ARE THEY HERE?': UFOLOGY IN AMERICA AND BRITAIN (Part I).
• BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: Short reports of sightings.
• STRANGE REPORTS from ZAMBIA: Regional UFO accounts.

The 'Alien Body' Film: Report by Cynthia Hind

This section critically examines the Santilli film, presenting facts that emerged at the BUFORA Conference. Hind notes that the title "The Roswell Incident" is a misnomer, as Santilli claimed the body was only 2-3 hours old and filmed on June 1, 1947, predating the Roswell crash of July 1947. The film's production quality is described as poor, with lost moments and obscured views of the body.

Hind discusses the autopsy, stating Santilli claimed two military surgeons performed it, as no pathologists were listed in the Army Air Force in 1947. She notes that surgeons might deviate from normal practice. A surgeon brother-in-law reviewed the dissection and found it technically sound but was dubious about the 'material' removed, suggesting it was not human. The procedure was reportedly verified as correct in Brazil by a surgeon and pathologist.

Concerns are raised about the anonymity of the photographer, "Jack Barnett," and Santilli's admission of a cash deal with him. Hind questions the claim that Santilli paid US$100,000 for the film, finding it difficult to credit. She suggests that if it's a hoax, it's a brilliant and expensive one. The video sale price of £33 is unlikely to recoup vast sums.

An alternative explanation proposed is Turner's Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting females, first described in 1938. However, Hind questions why surgeons would need full coveralls for an autopsy in 1947 if it were a known condition. She concludes that ufologists are often quick to dismiss unusual events as hoaxes without thorough investigation and expresses her commitment to studying the affair further.

Technical details regarding the film include the anachronism of a telephone cord (actually produced in 1937, not post-1947 as claimed by some) and the fact that the military did not collect all the film reels. The film was shown for free at Sheffield, and the video sale price is £33.

Update on Earlier Cases: Further Reports From Marie Van Staden

This section provides updates on previously reported cases investigated by Marie van Staden in Bethulie, South Africa.

• Case N° 106 (Dave H., Johannesburg): The sighting of a "tiny, man-like creature" on a balcony with a saucer-like vehicle above it is now dated to late November or early December 1973. The case is suggested for regressive hypnosis.
• Case N° 103: The original newspaper cutting for this case displays a date of April 27, 1983, not 1981 as previously stated. The incident occurred between Wepener and Bethulie at 05:15, involving an object with three bright green lights and red stripes.
• Case N° 100 (Mr. Rossouw): A friend's "skin problem" after an experience is clarified as mild sun-burn.

A Peculiar Cloud-Like Object (Case N° 114)

Investigated by Marie van Staden, this report from the Afrikaans magazine "KEUR" details an incident on April 10, 1995, involving Braam M. (11) and his family. While driving to school near Merweville, South Africa, they observed a strange object that initially appeared to be a cloud but then moved against the wind. The object was described as dark blue or almost black, very low to the ground, and unusually shaped. It suddenly accelerated upwards and disappeared behind a cloud. Mrs. M. described it as the strangest thing she had ever seen.

The object was estimated to be 80-100 meters away and higher than a rugby field cross-bar. The family could not provide explanations like aeroplanes or hot air balloons, as no lights or baskets were visible. The report notes that sun-burn has been associated with UFO encounters. The magazine is awaiting weather reports and information on hot air balloons in the area at the time of the sighting.

Figure 1 shows a drawing of the object, described as approximately the size of a large truck. Figure 2 is a map of the viewing area. The report also includes information on weather balloons and hot air balloons, concluding that the observed object did not match their characteristics.

'Why Are They Here?': UFOLOGY IN AMERICA AND BRITAIN (Part I)

Dr. Diana Cammack reports on the MUFON Symposium in Seattle (July 1995) and the BUFORA Congress in Sheffield (August 1995). Both events focused heavily on the Santilli/Roswell film. The Seattle symposium had over 600 attendees of diverse ages and backgrounds, with many purchasing books and videos. A significant portion of the audience (20-25%) admitted to having seen a UFO.

The Sheffield audience was younger and enthusiastic, with vendors selling UFO-related merchandise. The Santilli film was screened with considerable security. The second day of the BUFORA meeting appraised the film and its implications. Speakers at the Seattle symposium covered topics such as cattle mutilations, the Holographic Universe, abductions, and new case analyses. The BUFORA meeting featured Cynthia Hind discussing the Ariel school sighting and Michael Hesemann on the Santilli film.

Russian scientists presented on UFO/IFO cases in the former Soviet Union, and investigations from Denmark, Spain, and Italy were also reviewed. The article notes that due to the vast amount of information, only highlights are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the analysis and debate surrounding the Santilli "alien body" film, the reporting of UFO sightings and investigations in Southern Africa, and the international landscape of ufology. The editorial stance, as expressed by Cynthia Hind, is one of open-mindedness and a call for thorough investigation rather than immediate dismissal of unusual phenomena. There is a clear effort to present factual information and encourage further study within the field of ufology, aiming for its recognition as a legitimate science.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, dated June/July 1995, features a collection of articles and reports detailing UFO sightings, abduction experiences, and related phenomena. The content spans various geographical locations, including Africa, North America, and Australia, and delves into both personal accounts and broader theoretical discussions within the UFO community.

MUFON and BUFORA Presentations

The issue begins by referencing presentations at MUFON and BUFORA meetings. Dan Wright's Abduction Transcript Project, analyzing 142 cases and 15 researchers, suggested the involvement of multiple alien groups with differing agendas. Michael Lindeman examined the limitations of current UFO research paradigms, positing that the UFO phenomenon is real and will significantly impact humanity, potentially reshaping human psychology and consciousness. He described UFOs as 'reshaping our expectations about the human future and even our sense of what it means to be human.' Linda Moulton Howe presented on 'eerie sounds' linked to UFOs and cattle mutilations, and discussed alleged deception by entities in contact with humans, suggesting that Bob Lazar's stories and the Roswell incident were true, but that the entities were not benevolent or neutral, and that crop circles and mutilations were diversions.

Dr Leo Sprinkle, a counselling psychologist, discussed his work helping abductees integrate their experiences and proposed that UFOs serve as a 'driver education course for becoming Cosmic Citizens,' aiming for the rejuvenation of the earth and development of the human spirit. Cynthia Hind's work was also highlighted, with a film of an Ariel schoolchildren's sighting being shown. The importance of African cases was emphasized due to the reduced likelihood of media hype influencing witnesses.

Intelligent Light Balls? Reports from Namibia

Roland Roeis, a Namibian investigator, reported several sightings of 'intelligent light balls.' Miss I.M., an analytical chemist, recounted an incident in the mid-1980s where she and her fiancé saw a bluish-white ball of light, about the size of a motorcycle headlight, moving slowly over the land, following its contours. Farmers in the area referred to it as 'die spook van die Kalahari' (the ghost of the Kalahari).

Miscellaneous observations included Mrs G.S. reporting bright light balls during the day near Windhoek, Mr N.L. seeing light balls on his parents' farm, Mrs A.V. observing a flickering light ball over a farm dam, and Mr A.A. reporting several light balls moving together near Keetmanshoop and Luderitz. Sightings were also reported along the eastern border with Botswana.

Another case involved Prof B.H.J., Mr C.L., and three British exchange students in the Namib Desert in June 1994. They observed a bright white light with a yellowish tinge, undulating and appearing to follow land contours, which moved erratically. This sighting was later compared to an event reported in 1973 near the Gaub Pass and Sesriem Canyon, where a strong light was seen moving erratically.

Blue Disc Paces Car

Dick and Joan Godfrey reported an incident in Zimbabwe in 1956. While driving at night, a very bright, soft blue light appeared behind their car, eventually pacing them. Dick, an ex-Air Force man, estimated the object to be about 50 meters above the car and 15 meters off the roadside. The object matched their speed, stopped when they stopped, and then overshot them, disappearing and reappearing. They noted the complete absence of sound, smell, or heat, and no momentary night-blindness. The object was described as a blue disc, possibly upright, or a sphere, and its movement was described as a transference of matter. It illuminated the surrounding landscape intensely.

Mystery Crash on the Cedarberg

Investigator Pam Puxley reported on an incident involving Mr Sukkie Smit, a citrus farmer in South Africa. On May 30th, 1995, Mr Smit and a farm worker witnessed an oval-shaped, bright yellow light with smoke trailing, followed by a round light, crossing the sky and crashing in a valley. The objects gave off no sound or light after crashing. A subsequent search by police and possibly military personnel, including a police helicopter, found nothing. Mr Smit contacted D F Malan Airport and the Citrusdal police. Charl Pouw of the South African Broadcasting Corporation also contacted Mr Smit. Mr Smit was told by authorities that it was a meteorite, but he was suspicious because the Sterrewag (Star Watch) in Sutherland did not recall a fourth meteorite and noted that meteorites hitting Earth are typically small. The farmer expressed great fear of returning to the farm where he had witnessed the event and stated, 'I believe we are not the only life in this vastness of the Universe.'

UFO Attack

Gene Povey of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, reported an incident from 1952. While travelling with his sister and her friend, a single headlamp-like light appeared on their side of the road, causing them to stop abruptly. The light then skimmed over their car, lighting the interior and shaking the vehicle with an 'almighty roar' before disappearing. The witnesses described the object as oval, brighter than any car light, and unlike any aircraft they had seen. A subsequent report mentioned a 'swishing sound' during a later encounter with a similar object. The editor noted that such effects could be due to electromagnetism.

A Little Bit of Astronomy

This section reports on Australian scientists detecting mysterious microwave signals in Outer Space, potentially sent by intelligent life-forms. The 'Operation Phoenix' experiment picked up identifiable signals, but the unique radiowave receiver had to be returned to the USA, halting further surveillance. The experiment aimed to search for signals around hundreds of stars, highlighting the vastness of the universe.

Brief Encounters

Kenny MacKinnon interviewed June B. of Johannesburg about a strange experience in 1992. She described being held down on an operating table by narrow beings, with a needle inserted into her hand, causing excruciating pain. She felt unable to move or control her body, with only her mind seemingly active. She recalled a beam of light and the insertion of a pipe-like object into her hand, leaving a mark described as a water blister. The experience was deeply traumatic, leaving her traumatised, helpless, and in agonizing pain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently explores the unexplained, focusing on eyewitness accounts of UFOs, unexplained lights, and abduction experiences. The reports often highlight the mysterious nature of these phenomena, the lack of conventional explanations, and sometimes suggest potential cover-ups or deliberate deception. The magazine appears to present these accounts with a degree of seriousness, encouraging further investigation and reporting, while also acknowledging the psychological and societal impact of such encounters. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting evidence and witness testimonies for the reader to consider.

This issue, N°13, of UFO AFRINEWS, dated July 1995, is a magazine focusing on UFO and UAP phenomena. The issue features witness testimonies and reports, with a particular emphasis on 'foreign' cases, a departure from the magazine's usual policy, influenced by the editor's recent international travels.

Witness Account: June's Experience

The issue begins with a detailed account from a witness named June, who recounts an experience involving intense darkness, a phobia of enclosed spaces, and a perceived abduction. She describes screaming and a lack of strength in her muscles, accompanied by blankness and darkness. June mentions a childhood phobia of total darkness. She felt hands touching her shoulders, conveying a message of compassion and necessity for the actions being taken. A person was working on her hand with a needle, described as a rigid, thickish pipe, which entered at a right angle. She also noted movement from another person at the foot of the bed and a third person behind her. June felt an impression that this was not the first time such an event had occurred, though she could not confirm it. The needle caused a terrible ache in her thumb bone. She sought help from a homeopath who confirmed a meridian ran through that area. June also reported feeling 'people' around her since childhood, which she described as 'electricity,' and felt it was scary. She believed she was four or five years old at the time of these early experiences, which also occurred in her teens and twenties. She described feeling a man behind her, clad in a white garment like a robe, with a dark head, whom she thought was her Guardian Angel. She communicated with him mentally, especially when left alone at home. She described his voice as beautiful, like the sound of a bell, wise, and assistive.

Strange Reports from Zambia: Henk van der Linden's Sighting

This section details a report from Henk van der Linden, a former engineer for the Federal Broadcasting Corporation, stationed in Kitwe, Zambia, in 1958 or 1959. While working on a transmitter mast, Henk and his colleagues, Jack Grahame, Ian McFee, and apprentice Roger Hart, observed a large, stationary object high in the sky, visible through clear spaces between fleecy clouds. They described it as completely still, unlike a balloon, and it remained in place from approximately 8 AM until at least 5 PM. The object was described as very high up, appearing the size of a big football, flattened-off like a rugby ball or a very thick saucer. It had a dull white-grayish color, was sharp and distinct, with no reflection from the sun. There was no smell or sound detected. Henk contacted Kitwe Airport, which had seen nothing, but Ndola Airport, equipped with radar, detected an object on their screen that was stationary and remained for hours before disappearing. Henk felt the beings were interested in what was happening below.

Strange Reports from Zambia: The Imprint Incident

Following the sighting, a separate incident is recounted involving Henk and Dieter Siegerberg from the Philips Organization. While driving on a hilly road near Kitwe, they saw an Opel car in the bush and stopped to investigate. They found the car door open, the engine warm, and smelled fuel, but there was no answer when they called out. Entering the bush, they found a man sitting on the ground, dazed. The man, who was an engineer, claimed he had seen a large, round 'thing' coming down on top of the road and landing on the other side. He stated he went into the bush and lost consciousness, but had spoken to the 'people' inside the object and knew how its machinery worked, describing it as operating on wavelengths. He could not explain what it was, only that it was not related to electronics. Upon investigation, Henk and Dieter found a large imprint in the center of an open space, with marks resembling burns but not from flames. They measured the imprint, estimating its circumference to be the size of a house, approximately 27 meters in diameter (about 9 meters). Both Henk and Dieter believed the man's story, given his engineering background.

Errata

The issue includes an errata section correcting previous reports: an 'Unusual Occurrences at Sea' item from UFO AFRINEWS N°12 should have been credited to Pam Puxley, and Irene Granchi has been President of CISNE for many years, not just headed it.

From Your Editors and In Conclusion

The 'From Your Editors' section is a brief, rhyming piece about the editorial team's dedication. The 'In Conclusion' section by The Editor reflects on the prevalence of 'foreign' cases in this issue, noting that while it's not the usual policy, the editor's recent travels to conferences in Sheffield (England), Curitiba (Brasil), and Tel Aviv (Israel) within the past few months (August-October 1995) made it incumbent to report these findings. The editor assures readers that the next issue will revert to a focus on African cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are witness testimony, close encounters, and unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards credible witness accounts, even when they involve unusual or 'foreign' cases, as evidenced by the inclusion of detailed personal experiences and the editor's justification for deviating from the usual focus. The magazine aims to document and investigate these phenomena, providing a platform for witnesses and researchers.