UFO AFRINEWS - No 15

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO AFRINEWS
Issue: No. 15
Date: January 1997

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, published in Zimbabwe, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena across Africa and beyond, with a strong emphasis on the challenges of accurate reporting by the media. The magazine features several detailed case reports, interviews with witnesses, and discussions on potential extraterrestrial encounters and cover-ups.

Editorial: The Media and Misrepresentation

The editorial, penned by Cynthia Hind, addresses the pervasive issue of media misrepresentation concerning UFO reports. Hind shares personal anecdotes of being misquoted and having her words distorted in interviews, leading to her being perceived as gullible or foolish. She notes this is a global problem, citing similar experiences in Australia, the USA, and Great Britain. Hind proposes three potential solutions: being more careful, checking with interviewees on controversial points, and submitting articles for comment before publication. She highlights the case of Prof. Stanton Friedman suing Jenny Randles for defamation as an example of the complexities involved, even when facts are believed to be certain.

Case Study 1: UFO or 'Phantom' Car at Featherstone (Case N°121)

This report details an interview with Johnny Petersen, who claims to have witnessed a car-like object on his farm near Featherstone, Zimbabwe, on June 29, 1996. Petersen described a 'thing' that looked and sounded like a large American car with a distinctive hum, red lights at the back, and headlights. It stopped at a gate, illuminated trees, and then drove on. He initially suspected engine theft. Later, he and four workers investigated, feeling an oppressive heat and noticing no tracks. The following morning, another worker reported seeing a similar object in the road. Petersen, a Christian, initially considered the object a 'phantom' or deception, but later expressed a willingness to shoot it if it appeared again. The report notes his farm has gold claims and other minerals. The investigators found him to be sincere. The case also mentions a previous incident in 1984 where Petersen saw a ball of white light fall from a tree and hover over a car, and another sighting of red lights hopping between trees.

Case Study 2: Pulsating Disc Over South Africa (Case N°126)

This section reports on an unusual object seen over Pretoria, South Africa, on August 28, 1996. The object, described as disc-shaped and slightly pulsating, was filmed by a police sergeant. It displayed lights flashing on its dome. A police helicopter, piloted by Superintendent Fred Viljoen, followed the object, noting its speed and undulating movement. Authorities initially dismissed it as a hoax or publicity stunt for the film 'Independence Day', but the magazine questions the expense and timing of such a hoax. The report mentions controversy regarding the police sergeant's surname (Stander or Bekker) and notes that other witnesses confirmed seeing flashing lights.

Case Study 3: Report from Namibia (Case N°123)

Roland Roeis reports on an incident near Klein Windhoek, Namibia, during September/October 1995. Mrs. Fraser's company observed a strong light, about the size of Venus, above her home. The light moved down, hovered, and then shot away at great speed. Mr. Emery observed the object through a telescope, noting it was a bright white light with intermittent red flashes. The entire event lasted 5-7 minutes.

Case Study 4: ETs Captured in Brasil

This report, brought to the magazine by Dr. Diana Cammack and others, details a strange event in Varginha, Brasil, on January 20, 1996. Three young girls spotted a dark brown, greasy creature, about 4-5ft tall, with a large head, red eyes, and three horn-like protuberances. The creature appeared injured. Further investigation by local researchers Rodrigues and Paccaccini revealed other witnesses and military involvement. Army trucks and soldiers reportedly captured the creature, and a second creature was allegedly captured later that night. The bodies were transferred to hospitals and then to a military facility in Campinas. It is believed an autopsy was performed by Dr. Badan Palhares. The military allegedly threatened hospital staff and media to maintain secrecy. The area reportedly experienced a surge in UFO reports following the incident. The report also mentions Professor John E. Mack's academic freedom being upheld despite scrutiny over his UFO research.

Other Content

• 'Alien' with a Satchel (Case N°122): Mentioned in the table of contents, but not detailed in the provided pages.
• Quite a Big Bit of Astronomy / Mars: Mentioned in the table of contents, but not detailed.
• The Unexplained! (From Laura (living in UK) / From Pat T., of Bulawayo): Mentioned in the table of contents, but not detailed.
• Letters to the Editor: Mentioned in the table of contents.
• Obituary: Mentioned in the table of contents.
• Recommended Books and Magazines: Mentioned in the table of contents.
• Poem: A poem titled 'A COWARDLY LITTLE UFO' by Bruce Rowlands (written at age 12) is included.
• Patrick Moore Quote: A quote from Patrick Moore in SPACE FLIGHT (August 1996) about the likelihood of widespread life in the Universe is included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena, and the critical role and challenges of accurate reporting in the media. The editorial stance, as expressed by Cynthia Hind, is one of diligence in reporting UFO cases, a commitment to accuracy, and a frustration with sensationalism and distortion by the press. The magazine appears to advocate for careful investigation and transparent reporting of UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging the potential for misinterpretation and the need for verification. There's an underlying concern about potential government or military cover-ups, particularly in the Brasilian case.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, dated 1997 with a cover headline "'ALIEN' WITH ASATCHEL", presents a collection of intriguing reports and articles related to UFO sightings, alien encounters, and astronomical anomalies. The magazine features detailed accounts from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and France, alongside discussions on space exploration and the nature of UFO research.

'ALIEN' WITH ASATCHEL: A Bindura Case

The issue leads with a detailed account from Lloyd T. Karambakuwa, a 17-year-old student from Bindura, Zimbabwe. On the night of March 5th, 1996, Lloyd reported hearing a continuous 'clicking' sound that seemed to advance towards his house. He eventually opened the door to investigate, but the sound ceased. Upon exploring, the sound resumed, and he saw a 'completely white, short, fast-moving, mysterious thing' about two metres away. He described it as approximately 1.5 metres tall, with a head like a rugby ball or an egg, and it had a satchel on its back with an aerial and a small red light. The following morning, he found strange footprints in the soft sand road near the local Women's Training Centre. The footprints were described as too large for a normal animal and did not fit any known pad-mark. Lloyd's drawing of the creature and the footprints are included.

Kambudzai Gweshe's Account

Further investigation into the Bindura incident revealed that a security guard, Kambudzai Gweshe, had also reported seeing a similar figure. She described hearing an unpleasant 'clicking' sound and then seeing a small figure covered in white, moving slowly along the road. She noted an aerial on its back and that it turned quickly in a southerly direction. She could not see the face clearly but saw the body bathed in rainbow colours, which frightened her. She hid in the Training Centre building until she was sure it was gone. Kambudzai, who was illiterate, thought the event occurred between one and two o'clock on March 6th, 1996. She later left her job due to the experience.

Jean Senac's Encounter

An older case from France, contributed by Jean Bastide, recounts an experience of Jean Senac on Highway N°21 in July 1964. He witnessed a bright, shining machine estimated to be 2.5-3 metres long, hovering just above the ground. After it rose and flew off at great speed, he saw two dwarf-like figures, about 1.15 metres high, wearing khaki clothing and carrying sacks on their backs. They walked towards him, then went through a hedge and into a wooded area.

ROUND LIGHT OF LARGE PROPORTIONS: Chakari Case

Another report from Zimbabwe details an incident on October 17th, 1995, involving Marx Machikiza. While travelling home near Chakari, Marx saw a large, bright white light, larger than an ordinary car (about 10 metres across), hovering just above tree height. He described it as a round ball that suddenly shot upwards at incredible speed, becoming smaller until it was barely visible, moving South of SW. He recalled reading a book about UFOs that suggested such objects might return.

The Janos People

Following Marx's account, the magazine mentions a book titled 'THE JANOS PEOPLE', which describes an English family encountering a UFO. The beings in this account resembled humans, were fair-skinned with blonde hair, and claimed their ancestors originated from Earth. They showed the family video tapes of their home planet, which had two moons, one of which had fragmented due to heavy mining, causing dust and radiation exposure. The beings were dressed in dark brown habits, similar to monks.

THE UNEXPLAINED!: Laura's Experience

This section features an account from Laura, living in the UK, about an event that took place in Benoni, South Africa, in 1986. She described waking up in a trance-like state at 3 am and seeing two 'alien-like' faces outside her window. They then walked through the wall into her room. She described them as about 1.70 metres tall, slim, with transparent-opaque bodies, pear-shaped faces, and deep-set eyes. They were surrounded by a golden light. The larger one, whom she felt was female, kissed her cheek and telepathically identified herself as Laura's mother. They visited her for three consecutive nights, bringing a child on the third visit. Laura felt a strong spiritual connection and believes she is a 'child of the Stars' from the Pleiadian Constellation. She notes that her epilepsy has not recurred since this experience, and her spiritual awareness has broadened.

Pat T.'s Accounts

Pat T. from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, shares two experiences. The first, from when she was 9 or 10 years old, involves her hand being gripped by someone under her bed while she was lying awake. She was paralysed but was eventually released. Her second story describes a dream where she saw an almost transparent disc-shaped object land on her driveway. A tall, white, slightly stooped man emerged, wearing an oversized dark brown monk's habit and carrying a brown-skinned boy.

QUITE A BIT OF ASTRONOMY

This section delves into astronomical topics. Dr. Norman Bergrun, a former NASA scientist, stated that a Voyager space-probe orbiting Saturn took photographs of a cylindrical object with streamers, which he believes is an intelligently controlled space vehicle. He suggests that Saturn's rings might be the result of such objects orbiting the planet. The Hubble Space Telescope also photographed a non-satellite orbiting Saturn's rings that later disappeared. Dr. Bergrun's book, 'RINGMAKERS OF SATURN', is mentioned.

Mars Anomalies and Space Probes

The article discusses findings related to Mars, including NASA's report of a meteorite showing evidence of primitive life on the planet, though not all scientists agree. It also notes the loss of communication with NASA's Mars Observer spacecraft in August 1993. Furthermore, it examines photographs from the 1976 Viking Mars mission of the Cydonia region, which show features resembling a human face and pyramids, sparking debate about artificial origins. The magazine also mentions a book about 'Unusual Mars Surface Features'.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

This section includes correspondence from readers. Cynthia Luce from Brazil refers to a case of 'tiny, man-like creatures' and mentions other cases of ET contact. She expresses concern about the current structure of Ufology, suggesting it is doing harm and that much information is not publicized. She also shares a case where a friend was touched by an ET in a car.

Dr. Diana Cammack from Malawi responds to a query about Linda Moulton Howe's comments on ETs, suggesting they are spiritual or inter-dimensional rather than extraterrestrial. She also recommends Graham Hancock's 'FINGERPRINTS OF THE GODS' regarding pre-historical human civilization at the South Pole.

Other Correspondence

Mrs G. Infanti from Bloemfontein, South Africa, expresses her appreciation for the magazine. Stewart and Sally Rau from Harare report seeing a peculiar 'lit up stick' moving sideways in the night sky, which the editor clarifies was likely the tether rope of the Columbia space shuttle. A letter from JCC Wigham of Harare is addressed by Dr. Diana Cammack, discussing ET characteristics and the Area-51 story.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on cases from Southern Africa. The magazine presents a variety of accounts, from physical sightings to more spiritual or telepathic encounters. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting different perspectives and encouraging further investigation, while also acknowledging the difficulty in verifying such phenomena. The magazine also shows an interest in astronomical discoveries and potential extraterrestrial life, as evidenced by the articles on Saturn and Mars. The inclusion of letters from readers suggests an engagement with the UFO community and a desire to share diverse experiences and theories.

This issue of UFO AFRINEWS, dated January 1994, delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, including controversial claims, personal accounts, book reviews, and scientific perspectives on the universe.

Editor's Comment: Bob Lazar and Area 51

The editor addresses the controversy surrounding Bob Lazar, a figure prominent in the 1980s. Lazar claimed to have worked at 'S-4,' a highly secret section of Area 51, on the back-engineering of nine captured spacecraft for the US government. The editor notes that the government attempted to discredit Lazar by investigating his background, and while CalTech and M.I.T. could not verify his attendance, a classmate later remembered him. Lazar was also accused of 'pandering,' which he admitted to. His claim of living in Las Vegas during his S-4 work was corroborated by his listing in the local telephone directory. The editor ponders whether the government sought to 'wipe him out' for talking or if there were other issues, ultimately finding Lazar credible despite the distance from Area 51. The editor also expresses agreement with the theory that ETs might originate from another Dimension or Time, but questions their malevolence, suggesting their interest might be for their own benefit. The possibility of ETs needing human ova and sperm, or body organs for renewal, is raised as a potential indicator of malevolence, leading to the conclusion that this remains a controversial and unsolved question.

Obituary: Henry

The issue includes an obituary for 'Henry,' described as the main and only witness in 'The Alien and the Engineer' story. He passed away on October 15, 1996, due to heart problems. Henry had wished to remain anonymous due to his position as Chief Engineer in the Cape area of Paarl. He had questioned his experience and found it difficult to accept, despite finding marks on the ground where a craft had landed. The editor remembers him as a kindly and analytical man.

Snippets

Two snippets highlight the vastness of the unknown in space. One, referencing TIME Magazine (January 18, 1993), states that astronomers cannot identify 97% of the matter in space, even the visible portion. Another, from National Geographic (January 1994), suggests that only 1% of matter in space is identifiable. These snippets are attributed to E B Etheridge of Harare.

Recommended Books and Magazines

The magazine provides a comprehensive list of recommended books and magazines related to UFOs:

• WITHOUT CONSENT, by Philip Mantle & Carl Nagaitis: Focuses on abductions in Great Britain. Available for £16.00 plus postage.
• BEYOND ROSWELL, by Michael Hesemann & Philip Mantle: Covers Roswell, MJ-12, Area 51, and the Santilli film of an alleged alien autopsy. Published by Marlow & Co.
• CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FOURTH KIND, by C D Bryan: An examination of abductions, primarily in the USA, presented without prejudice. Priced at £8.50.
• BEYOND TOP SECRET, by Timothy Good: A well-researched follow-up to 'ABOVE TOP SECRET,' recommended for serious investigators. Priced at £17.
• OPEN SKIES, CLOSED MINDS, by Nick Pope: Explores UFOs and the British Government's stance, with Pope having previously served as UFO co-ordinator in the MoD. Priced at £14.

Most of these books can be obtained from Lionel Beer in Hampton, Middlesex, England.

• BEYOND THE LIGHT BARRIER, by Elizabeth Klarer
• THE TWELVE PLANETS SPEAK, by Carl van Vlierden

These books on Southern African UFOs can be ordered from Aquarian Book Centre in Johannesburg.

• UFO AFRINEWS can also be ordered directly from Gemini in Harare, Zimbabwe.

• UFOS AND ABDUCTIONS IN BRASIL, by Irene Granchi: A review of exciting cases in Brazil up to 1975, with the author working on a follow-up. Irene Granchi is President of CISNE.
• THE UFO ENCYCLOPEDIA, by Jerome Clark (Vols. I, II, and III): Highly recommended for its meticulous reporting of UFO cases, priced at US$56.95 per volume.

• WITNESSED, by Budd Hopkins: Details the Linda Cortile abduction case in the USA. Priced at US$23.
• UFO DANGER ZONE, by Bob Pratt: Covers cases in Brazil, including aggressive UFO attacks, suction methods, and the effects on victims such as extreme heat, cold, nausea, headaches, and paralysis. Priced at US$16.99.

Both of Bob Pratt's books can be ordered from Arcturus Book Services in Florida, USA.

Coming Shortly

• UFOS AFFECTING AFRICA, by Cynthia Hind: An in-depth study of UFO events in Africa, investigating cases like La Rochelle (Zimbabwe), Drakenstein Mountain Pass (Cape, S.Africa), Pilot Report (Moçambique), and Ariel School children (Ruwa, Zimbabwe). Expected price US$16.99, due April 1997.

Magazines

• MUFON JOURNAL: Monthly subscription US$30 per annum. Issued by MUFON, with unbiased analyses of UFO cases. MUFON is described as the largest and most powerful UFO organization globally.
• IUR - International UFO Reporter: Quarterly subscription US$30 annually. Edited by Jerome Clark, featuring contributions from prestigious international figures. This is considered a well-worth read.

Speculation

A poem titled 'SPECULATION' reflects on a mysterious light seen in the sky, questioning if it was an alien craft or simply the planet Venus, concluding with a strong belief in the existence of extraterrestrial beings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alien abductions, government secrecy, and the scientific exploration of the unknown in space. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to consider unconventional theories while also presenting factual accounts and book reviews from various perspectives. There is a clear emphasis on international UFO cases, with a particular focus on Africa and South America, alongside well-known cases from the USA and Great Britain. The magazine promotes critical thinking, urging readers to 'Wake up, World, we really need to know WHAT'S GOING ON!'.