WEDNESDAY, 3.30PM:
THE National Assembly on Wednesday named the three candidates appointed to the Independent Broadcasting Authority’s council as Libby Lloyd, Nadia Bulbulia, and Lumko Mtimde.
The committee resorted to a vote after failing to reach a consensus.
The recommendation will now be passed to the National Assembly for verification before it lands on President Nelson Mandela’s desk for approval.
Lloyd, currently an IBA councillor; Bulbulia, IBA policy unit head; and Mtimde, who is chief executive officer of the National Community Radio Forum; were selected from eight candidates after a stringent selection process. The new councillors were chosen to replace three incumbents whose terms of officeon the seven-member council expire at the end of March.
STRIKERS, POLICE CLASH
SEVEN people were injured and one person was arrested when violence erupted at a gathering of striking transport workers near the Workers’ Library in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon. Among the injured were five policemen. Police spokesman Captain Andy Pieke said the violence erupted when the strikers attacked passing trucks while awaiting the results of negotiations between unions and employers.
TRANSPORT STRIKE TO CCMA
TRANSPORT trade unions and employers are due to meet under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on Wednesday to negotiate an end to the strike that is costing the industry almost R9-million a day.
THE Transport and Allied Workers’ Union on Wednesday echoed the Transport and General Workers Union’s threat on Monday that its members at private bus companies will join the three-day transport strike on Thursday if their wage demands are not met. Bus drivers employed by municipalities are not expected to join the strike because they fall under the South African Municipal Workers’ Union.
MANUFACTURING JOBS INCREASE
EMPLOYMENT in the manufacturing sector started climbing in the second half of last year, after falling for more than two years, the Central Statistical Services announced on Tuesday. Employment in the sector grew consistently by 10858, after hitting its lowest point in August last year. From August to November, total employment in the sector rose from 1367223 to 1378081 — with 5788 jobs created in October alone, the CSS said. Despite the turnaround, however, the sector still employed 55392 fewer people in November than the corresponding period in 1996.
JOHNNIC LOOKS FOR CASINO LICENCE
INDUSTRIAL group Johnnic, passed over for a Gauteng casino licence during the first round of allocations last month, is reportedly trying to buy a substantial share in Mo Africa, a rival bidder and one of the contenders for the two licences still to be issued. Gauteng’s gaming legislation requires the approval of the provincial gaming board if there is to be a significant change in ownership of one of the bidders. Both Johnnic and Mo Africa declined to elaborate on the portion of Mo Africa at stake, but Gauteng Gambling and Betting Board chairman Vincent Maleka said the board has been informed of the discussions.
GAUTENG RAISES LICENCE FEES
GAUTENG is hoping to increase revenue this year through higher motor vehicle licence fees and gambling and betting taxes, Finance and Economic Affairs MEC Jabu Moleketi said on Tuesday. Announcing a balanced budget of R15,073-million for 1998, Moleketi said R14,09-billion is to come from the national revenue fund, while R978-million will be raised by the province. Vehicle licence fees — the biggest source of internal revenue — will increase 10% in June, raising the revenue from licensing fees 31% to R492-million.
WOOL LEVY TO SECURE WOOLMARK
THE National Agricultural Marketing Control Council has asked the parliamentary agriculture committee’s permission to raise over R20-million through wool levies to allow its continued membership of the International Wool Secretariat. Only if the proposed 3% levy on gross returns to wool growers is approved, will the council be able to retain licensing to use the international Woolmark on garments made from South African wool — at a cost of R70-million for the licence. A spokesman for the marketing council said the application is urgent, as South Africa’s continued membership has to be confirmed by month end.
ANGLO SUIT DROPPED
AMERICAN Mineral Fields dropped a $3-billion lawsuit against Anglo American Corporation and De Beers over mineral exploration in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, in preference to an out-of-court resolution. AMF claims Anglo interfered with its agreements with DRC President Laurent Kabila concerning a copper and cobalt tailings project at Kolwezi.