NEW MALAWI PARTY
MALAWI’s newest political party, the United Party, launched on Friday, on Monday named Bingu wa Mutharika as its interim chairman. Mutharika said the party’s mission is to “unite Malawians, provide a sense of direction for our country, rejuvenate growth and develop a new political and economic structure.” Mutharika is the former chief of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. The United Party brings to 16 the number of opposition groupings in Malawi. Elections are due in 1999.
VAN DEN BERGH DIES
GENERAL Hendrik van den Bergh, for years head of the feared Bureau for State Security (Boss) and one of the most powerful men in John Vorster’s South Africa, has died of a heart attack at age 82. Van Den Bergh, who headed South Africa’s security apparatus until his retirement 19 years ago, played a key role in the suppression of the ANC, including the arrest of Nelson Mandela. After his retirement, he was associated with the right-wing Conservative Party.
WORLD CUP BONANZA
THE South African football team bafana Bafana, who defeated Congo 1-0 on Saturday to qualify for the World Cup finals, have won themselves R3,1-million, to be split between them. Those who played in all six qualifying matches will earn around R150 000 each.
AFRICA FOR CAPE TOWN 2004
ABOUT 30 ambassadors of African countires pledged their support for SA’s Olympic bid at a function at Deputy President Thabo Mbeki’s Pretoria home on Sunday. Mbeki said their support will go a long way to strengthening Cape Town’s bid to host the 2004 Olympics. Said Mbeki: “This is seen not as bid for Cape Town or South Africa, but as an African bid.”
ANC CAN’T PICK A PREMIER
The general council of the gauteng ANC debated until late last night, but was unable to resolve its dispute over the leadership. The ANC leadership backs party insider Amos Masondo, but the branches have supported rival Mathole Mothshekga, who has defied attempts to persuade him to stand aside.
MPUMALANGA REPORT
The auditor general’s report on the Motheo housing scheme will reveal that housing minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele was briefed all along on irregularities with the scheme. The report, to be submitted to Parliament shortly, is believed to be highly critical of Mpumalanga housing authorities who approved the project despite the lack of funds for it.
IFP vs FELGATE
THE Inkatha Freedom Party will “do whatever is necessary” to force renegade former IFP leader Walter Felgate to return three carloads of documents. Felgate, who says he is using the documents to write a book on KwaZulu-Natal politics, says niether the IFP nor Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi have any rights over the material, which belonged largely to the disbanded homeland authority.