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/ 3 September 2004

SAfm cans whites

Two popular SABC personalities got the chop on Wednesday and insiders at the public broadcaster fear more axing will follow. Arts reporter Alan Swerdlow, who also produces Fiona Ramsay’s show <i>Art of the Matter</i> for SAfm, confirmed that his contract had been terminated. And presenter Tony Lankester’s <i>SAfm Weekend</i> show has also been axed.

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/ 3 September 2004

Coup men in legal limbo

The Attorney General of Equatorial Guinea, José Olo Obono, was hoping that a free lunch for the international press would help deflect some of the negative coverage that the trial of 18 alleged coup plotters has so far attracted. Unfortunately, two British journalists were jailed for daring to leave the capital without a permit, and so this Wednesday the attorney general and Minister of Security and State Manuel Nguema feasted on the lavish display of prawns and papaya without their guests.

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/ 3 September 2004

Matsepe-Casaburri eases ICT restrictions

Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri on Thursday announced a number of policy interventions to speed up growth in the information communications technology (ICT) sector, remove constraints, and reduce costs. Briefing the media at Parliament, she said from February 1 next year cellphone operators would be able to use any fixed lines they might need to provide services.

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/ 3 September 2004

SA man in court on nuke charges

A South African citizen will appear before a Vanderbijlpark magistrate on Friday in connection with the contravention of laws on weapons of mass destruction and on nuclear energy, Scorpions spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said on Thursday. The man was arrested on Thursday by investigators led by the National Prosecuting Authority.

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/ 3 September 2004

Kenya to seek extradition of ‘miracle birth’ pastor

The Kenyan attorney general has issued a warrant for the arrest of a British-based evangelical pastor who claims to have helped infertile women in his congregation deliver ”miracle babies”. Gilbert Deya, the leader of the Gilbert Deya Ministries, who styles himself archbishop, was named by Kenyan authorities who are investigating the theft and trafficking of children.

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/ 3 September 2004

Putin moves to calm tensions

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, moved on Thursday to calm escalating tension in the hostage crisis in the North Ossetian town of Beslan as sporadic gunfire and explosions threatened to rupture delicate negotiations with Chechen gunmen. Two loud explosions rang out early on Friday near the school where militants were holding hundreds of captives for a second night.

  • Anger mounts in hostage crisis