MANGOPE TRIAL OPENS
The fraud trial of former homeland autocrat Lucas Mangope began on Monday in Mafikeng. Mangope faces fraud, theft and foreign exchange control charges totalling R1,8-million. The charges rise out of an investigation by the North-West government, and the trial is expected to last several months.
BUBONIC PLAGUE IN MOZ
THERE has been an outbreak of bubonic plague in northern Mozambique, the British Airways travel clinic in Johannesburg said on Monday. Dr Andrew Jamieson, medical director of the airline’s travel clinics, said 115 cases of plague have been reported occurring between June 7 and July 4 in Mutarara District, Tete Province. No deaths were reported and the Mozambican health ministry had taken appropriate measures to deal with the outbreak, said Jamieson, adding that travellers have no cause for alarm. The last outbreak in the area was in 1994, when 216 cases were reported.
GOVT HASTILY PAYS UP
AS Johannesburg cracked down on electricity defaulters who collectively owe R1,7-billion, some of the biggest culprits were revealed: government departments. The provincial education department yesterday paid R2,5-million, the railways paid R1,1-million, and the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital paid R1,2-million. Louis Luyt’s Gauteng Lions paid R250 000. Meanwhile, the council cut off 500 of the worst culprits at the weekend.
TUSSLE OVER IBA INSURANCE
THE Independent Broadcasting Authority has won a tussle with its suspended former chief, Harris Gxaweni, over the insurance money owed on a R296 000 Mercedes-Benz he crashed shortly after receiving it as an IBA perk. Gxaweni brought in mediators to back his demand that the insurance payout go directly to him. The issue is still not settled, but for now the money is with the IBA.
IBA COUNCILLOR QUITS
FELLENG SEKHA, the Independent Broadcasting Authority candidate councillor whom Parliament wants to chair the next IBA, has withdrawn her name following President Nelson Mandela’s rejection of the parliamentary list of names. She is the second candidate to withdraw.