Vladimir Putin on Thursday took over as Russia's Prime Minister a day after leaving the Kremlin and pledged to curb inflation and cut taxes to make Russia a leading economic power. Putin said in a speech to Parliament presenting his candidacy that he wanted "single-digit inflation within a few years.
He has been accused of bullying the neighbours, turning off Europe's gas supply and -- as one diplomat appalled by Russia's treatment of the British Council put it -- "punching a librarian". But now Putin, apparently fed up with Russia's poor image abroad, has decided to do something about it: he has sent for his old judo master.
Ekurhuleni police chief Robert McBride returned to work on Tuesday amid an eruption of bloody xenophobic clashes throughout the province. "All leave has been cancelled [under the circumstances]," McBride said. "I'm working." He would not answer any more questions, explaining: "I'm really busy at the moment."
About R6,9-million has been spent on nine cases pertaining to Ekurhuleni metro police chief Robert McBride and senior officers, Ekurhuleni mayor Duma Nkosi said on Tuesday in reaction to photocopies of three invoices given to the media by Ekurhuleni councillor Izak Berg.
Metro police chief Robert McBride has signed official documents but is not working, Ekurhuleni mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamnca said on Friday. "Robert was never suspended but was put on special leave, that means that if we want to consult with him we can -- because he is the chief of police," Hamnca said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has declined a nomination as African National Congress (ANC) chairperson but has accepted a nomination for deputy president. This emerged on Thursday when the ANC released its long-awaited consolidated list of nominations for its national executive committee.
Xenophobic violence against foreign nationals has been brought under control, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said on Monday. "I do believe the situation is under control ... the violence has subsided," he said at a briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria following an inter-governmental task team meeting with President Thabo Mbeki.
President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday called a wave of deadly attacks on migrants an "absolute disgrace" and said his government would take all measures to bring those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, African National Congress president Jacob Zuma said all people in South Africa should be tolerant of one another.
