No image available
/ 15 January 2008

Zim breakthrough close, Mbeki tells Irish PM

Zimbabwean parties engaged in negotiations are within days of finalising a political document that would cover all the important issues needed to ensure a free and fair election. This emerged from a meeting at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday between President Thabo Mbeki, who is facilitating the talks, and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

No image available
/ 15 January 2008

BBC defies Zim ban, reports challenge on Mugabe

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has defied a ban on reporting from Zimbabwe by staging an undercover trip there which revealed challenges to President Robert Mugabe from within his own party, the broadcaster said on Tuesday. BBC world affairs editor John Simpson spent a week in the Southern African country carrying out interviews and filming.

No image available
/ 15 January 2008

JSE slightly down

Lower gold-mining stocks as a result of profit-taking weighed on the JSE on Tuesday, leaving the bourse 0,31% in the red by midday. At noon, the gold-mining index had pulled back 2,51%, but the platinum-mining index was 0,49% firmer, while resources added 0,54%. Industrials gave up 1,16%, banks lost 0,88% and financials were off 0,76%.

No image available
/ 15 January 2008

NPA: No change in status of Selebi case

There was no change in the status of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) position on its investigation into police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, the NPA said on Tuesday. ”There is no change,” said NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali. Selebi is on leave and has resigned his post as head of Interpol.

No image available
/ 15 January 2008

Private healthcare tariffs under spotlight

The threat of prosecution at a high-powered meeting with Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang forced private hospital groups to commit to reconsidering their annual tariff increases last Friday, Business Report said on Tuesday. The Health Department warned hospital groups to comply with the law when charging for anaesthetic gases, or face prosecution.

No image available
/ 15 January 2008

Spectre of betting descends on women’s tennis

Five or six players on the Women’s Tennis Association tour have been approached to throw tennis matches, tour chairperson Larry Scott said on Tuesday. ”I’ve said several initially, and I think five or six would be in the ballpark,” Scott said. ”I don’t want to go into any more details because it’s part of an investigation.