WINNIE AT TRC IT IS “more than likely” that ANC Women’s League president Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be called by the Truth Commission to explain her involvement in the kidnapping and death of child activist Stompie Seipei in 1989, commissioner Yasmin Sooka said today — the first official confirmation that the commission intends issuing a subpoena to Madikizela-Mandela.
ANC-IFP TALKS The long-stalled peace talks between the ANC and Inkatha began yesterday, with high hopes of an agreement on such issues as power sharing and the role of the Zulu king.
TEACHERS WALK OUT ALL teacher unions walked out of pay negotiations yesterday, the third such walkout this year, accusing the government of lack of transparency. And protests seem likely to come from nurses as well, offered increases of 7,04%, compared to some 22% offered to other low-paid civil servants.
MALAYSIA TO BUY COPTERS VISITING Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad said on Wednesday that “chances are good” that his country buy South Africa’s Rooivalk military helicopters. Defence Minister Joe Modise will visit Malaysia in November to finalise the deal. Earlier, Mahathir received South Africa’s highest award, the Order of Good Hope, from President Nelson Mandela.
IRAQIS IN SUDAN A UGANDAN newspaper, New Vision, claims that Iraqi and Iranian soldiers were sent to southern Sudan on March 16 to help beat back an offensive by Christian rebels. The newspaper also claims that Zaire goverment soldiers and Rwandan Hutus are also fighting for the government. The report is based on interviews with rebels who claim to have captured the foreign soldiers.
TOO FEW BEDS IN JAIL The government anti-crime strategy to toughen up parole conditions will require 900 000 more “bed nights” in prison, warned prisons services director Annelie Rabie. She also warned that the parole system needs another 850 officers — it currently has 1 161.