Mackenzie: BBC counts ‘191’ victims, SABC says ‘190 children’ and names a different judge
A Kenyan court has sentenced apocalyptic cult leader Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for starvation killings in Shakahola forest. The outlets agree on the sentence but differ on the number of victims, the judge's name and the details they stress.
What Western media report
The Guardian (UK) reports that Mackenzie was sentenced to 200 years for the murders of 190 children and one adult, comprising 100 years for murder by starvation and 100 for direct homicide, two weeks after the court in Mombasa convicted him. The BBC (UK) reports 191 victims, all but one of them children, and names the judge as Diana Mochache. The BBC adds that prosecutors sought the death penalty but the court declined to impose it, that 28 co-accused received sentences of up to 160 years, and that Mackenzie faces separate manslaughter and terrorism charges, which he denies.
What media from these countries report: South Africa
SABC News (South Africa) reports that Mackenzie was sentenced to 200 years for the murders of 190 children starved on his orders, among about 500 suspected victims. According to SABC, the judgment was read by Justice Diana Kavedza. SABC gives more detail on the treatment of victims (beatings, bodies in shallow graves and latrines, some victims buried alive), says the accomplices received sentences of 10 to 160 years, and reports that defence lawyer Lawrence Obonyo plans to appeal.
Differences
- Number of victims: The Guardian says 190 children and one adult, the BBC says 191 people (all but one children), and SABC says only 190 children in its opening.
- Total bodies: the BBC cites more than 400 bodies recovered, while SABC cites about 500 suspected victims.
- Judge's name: the BBC names Diana Mochache, SABC names Diana Kavedza; the articles do not explain the difference.
- Death penalty: only the BBC reports that prosecutors sought it and the court declined.
- Emphasis: the BBC stresses the court's reasoning and the remaining charges, SABC the cruelty toward victims and the defence's planned appeal.
Where they agree
- All sources report a 200-year sentence split into 100 years for murder by starvation and 100 for direct homicide.
- All report that the victims were mostly children and that Mackenzie ordered them to starve.
- The BBC and SABC both report that 28 co-accused received sentences of up to 160 years.
Sources: read the originals
Western media
- Kenya
- Paul Mackenzie
- Shakahola
- cult
- sentencing
Europe
Europe
Europe
Europe
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.