‘VICTIMISED’ BY TRC THE Truth Commission’s investigative head Dumisa Ntsebeza has accused the commission of victimising him. Ntsebeza’s lawyer accused the TRC’s amnesty committee on Wednesday of relying on conflicting statements by a single witness to implicate Ntsebeza in the 1993 Heidelberg Tavern bombing. “Unless there is victimisation of my client or incompetence … I don’t believe in any way my client should be present here,” lawyer Christine Qunta said.
Monday’s story on Ntsebeza and the tavern bombing
MINE SAFETY BILL PASSEDTHE Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill was passed without dissent by the National Assembly on Tuesday. The Bill, a landmark for mine safety in this country, provides new protection for mineworkers and makes it possible for employers to be fined up to R200 000 if they break safety or health regulations.
ROBBEN ISLAND RUSH Robben Island could see a lot more traffic soon — the island administrator said on Wednesday the number of tourists allowed on the island each day will be gradually increased from 300 to 1 300 people. The increase will be done over time, following the recommendation of a recent environment impact assessment. The island formerly accommodated 800 prisoners and about 250 prison staff.
NEW FRASER COURT BID LAURIE FRASER, accused of attempting to kidnap his baby, given up for adoption by its mother, is making a new court bid to have the adoption overturned. Fraser’s lawyer, Peter Soller, says he has new evidence that the adoptive parents, both missionaries in Malawi, were not South African residents at the time of the adoption, as required by law. Soller also wants Fraser’s Malawian co-accused released from jail on the grounds that he is being victimised by prison gangs.
OLYMPICS AUCTION THE Olympic Bid committee is auctioning off its goods today, following Cape Town’s defeat by Athens for the 2004 Olympics. On sale today at 80% discounts are high-quality office furniture, leather goods, cell phones, ornaments including Nelson Mandela portraits and more.
SIAMESE TWINS ‘DOING WELL’ THE Mokoena Siamese twins, Nomonde and Monde, are progressing well towards full health, a representative from the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital said on Tuesday. The smaller of the twins, Monde, is still on antibiotics, but is being weaned from the ventilator.
RICHARDSON IN KENYA
US envoy Bill Richardson has called for an international conference to improve dialogue among strife-torn countries in the Great Lakes region.
Richardson, speaking on Tuesday in Nairobi, said the conference could involve the United Nations, governments, the Organisation of African Unity and “various other parties that deal with some of the various refugee and humanitarian problems in the region.”
In Kenya, the fourth stop on a six-nation tour, he said he had urged his “old friend” President Daniel arap Moi to ensure upcoming elections are free and fair.