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/ 4 February 2008

Energy crunch could cut economic growth

South Africa’s power crisis may already have damaged economic growth, even though the country’s mines have bounced back after electricity shortages brought production to a halt. The longer it takes Eskom to boost energy output for industry, the greater the chances that 2007 could have marked the end to four years of brisk economic growth.

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/ 4 February 2008

Simon Mann ‘kidnapped’, says lawyer

A Briton alleged to be the mastermind behind a foiled coup in Equatorial Guinea has been ”kidnapped” and his legal team has lost contact with him, his lawyer said on Monday. Simon Mann was flown out of Zimbabwe, where he was in prison, early Thursday after being handed over to officials from Equatorial Guinea.

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/ 4 February 2008

Central Africa quake toll rises

The death toll from a series of earthquakes that hit Central Africa rose on Monday to 43 as a major aid operation for hundreds of injured and thousands of homeless gathered pace amid new aftershocks. Thirty-seven of the deaths were reported in Rwanda’s Western Province and six around the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Bukavu, which was near the epicentre.

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/ 4 February 2008

Cape Flats fire destroys 100 shacks

About a hundred shacks were destroyed in a fire on Sunday evening at the Joe Slovo informal settlement near Langa on the Cape Flats, Cape Town disaster risk management said. ”We were very fortunate that we have fire-detection cameras and the alarm was sounded,” said spokesperson Greg Pillay.

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/ 4 February 2008

Banks, world markets enliven JSE

The JSE had been lifted into the black by noon on Monday as firmer world markets and advances in the bank sector helped enliven the bourse after its soft opening. By noon, the broader all-share index had gained 0,92% to 29 016,26 points. Banks perked up 2%, while financials advanced 1,63% and industrials collected 1,66%.