BRAZZAVILLE FIGHTING CONTINUES
RIVAL factions in the Congolese capital Brazzaville hammered each other with heavy weapons fire overnight, as forces loyal to President Pascal Lissouba and former dictator Denis Sassou Nguesso seem determined to find a military solution to the conflict. Bitter fighting between Lissouba’s troops the militia of Sassou Nguesso has continued despite increasingly strident ceasefire calls from neighbouring states. Official figures put the number killed since clashes broke out in early June at 4 000, but international organisations have put the toll at almost twice that. Several hundred thousand people have fled the capital.
DE BEERS BOSS HONOURED
BOTSWANA’s President Sir Ketumile Masire on Tuesday bestowed his country’s highest civil award on De Beers’ chairman Julian Ogilvie Thompson. Also receiving the award was Alan James Clarke, former director of the Bank of Botswana and the Botswana Development Corporation. The award, the Presidential Order of Honour, is made “for outstanding contributions to the affairs of the nation”. Masire described Ogilvie Thompson, who played a significant part in Botswana becoming the world’s largest producer of diamonds by value, as “one of the great international captains of industry”. Responding, Ogilvie Thompson said Masire had built Botswana into a conservative nation that is an example to the rest of Africa.
ZAMBIA TOPS CHILD MORTALITY
ZAMBIA has the highest child mortality rate in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, with one out of 10 children dying before they reach the age of one year, Health Minister Katele Kalumba said Wednesday. Speaking at the opening of a two-day demography and health survey seminar, Kalumba said child mortality in the country has escalated to “unacceptable” levels since 1992.
CRICKET MAN SA ENVOY
UNITED Cricket Board of SA president Krish Mackerdhuj on Tuesday accepted the post od SA ambassador to Japan. Mackerdhuj, who is also National Sports Council vice-president, will give up his sports administrative posts. He is expected to take up his new position early in the new year.
POWELL HEARING POSTPONED
A CLOSED truth commission inquiry involving Inkatha Freedom Party MPL Philip Powell has been postponed until October 23 after agreement between the TRC and Powell’s lawyers. Powell was subpoenaed for questioning by the commission after his name was mentioned by witnesses in human rights violations hearings.