THATCHER’S PRIVATE POLICE
WESTERN Cape police are investigating allegations that Mark Thatcher, son of the former British prime minister, hired moonlighting policemen to guard his home, using police equipment. He also made a failed attempt to start a company called “Rent-a-Cop” which allowed police to earn extra money as security guards. Police commanders initially agreed to the plan before changing their minds.
MOBUTU GENERALS PLOT COUP?
THE South African government has agreed to investigate whether any of Mobutu Sese Seko’s generals are living in South Africa illegally, following complaints by the new Kabila government that ex-generals are plotting a coup from South African soil. Democtraic Republic of Congo Foreign Minister Bizima Karaha is reported to have said that “we know that most of Mobutu’s generals are living in South Africa. They are carrying diplomatic passports which have been revoked.”
WEDDING TEARS
A NIECE of Nigerian strongman Sani Abacha died on the day of her wedding on Friday. Guests at the wedding of Fatima Abacha to a politician instead attended her funeral.
SONN UNDER FIRE
THE National Party has criticised South African ambassador to the US Franklin Sonn, reported at the weekend to have lobbied US businesses to fund the fraud trial defence of former Cape ANC leader Allan Boesak. The NP has demanded an explanation from the foreign minister for this “abuse of position” by a diplomat.
KENYA VIOLENCE
FRIDAY’S national strike in Kenya attracted only modest support — but turned ugly as mobs looted shops and burned down trees. Four people, two of them policemen, were killed.
BOTSWANA JOURNALISTS DRAFT CODE
BOTSWANA journalists held a two-day workshop at the weekend to draft a code of ethics to forestall government plans for a press council dominated by its own appointees. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ponatshego Kedilwe told the workshop he was concerned over “journalists who major in partisan politics and take journalism as a quite minor subject”.