Giordano Stolley

South Africa could face ''a grave constitutional crisis'' that could leave judges considering whether they should ''continue on the bench'', the Durban High Court said on Monday. Judge Chris Nicholson was referring to a government statement that it would not to comply with a court order to expedite anti-retroviral treatment at Durban's Westville prison.

Former deputy president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday said he had been ''tried and convicted'' together with convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik even though he had never appeared in the dock. Zuma on Tuesday filed papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in response to the state's replying affidavits that seek a postponement of his corruption trial.

The former head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Bulelani Ngcuka, did everything in his power to protect the reputation of former deputy president Jacob Zuma, according to an affidavit filed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. In the document, Ngcuka denies allegations of involvement in any political conspiracy against Zuma.

The South African Congress of Trade Unions (Cosatu) has admitted it cannot ''produce conclusive proof of a conspiracy'' within the National Prosecuting Authority against former deputy president Jacob Zuma. On Tuesday Cosatu's national spokesperson Patrick Craven said: ''The kind of proof that would have names dates, places [of meetings] ... that's what we can't produce. But the evidence is all there.''

Battle for control of South Africa's newest political party, the National Democratic Convention (Nadeco), is set to enter the public arena this week when its leader, Dr Ziba Jiyane, opposes a court action to set aside the appointment of the party's federal executive. Last Thursday Vincent Ngema filed papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

National Democratic Convention (Nadeco) leader Ziba Jiyane has disputed his ''suspension'' on Tuesday by the national executive committee (NEC) of his party. He said the members of the NEC seeking to depose him would be expelled. The NEC is ''an old structure'' that is not mentioned in the party's constitution, Jiyane said.

KwaZulu-Natal's top leadership of the tripartite alliance will be out in force to support the African National Congress' deputy president as he goes on trial for corruption next week. From 6pm on Sunday the city centre is expected to be packed with thousands of supporters of Jacob Zuma who will turn out for an all night vigil.

Two foreign delegates attending the International Sociological Association's world congress in Durban were beaten and assaulted within three hours of arriving in the city on Saturday evening. Mexican sociologist Daniel Gutierrez Martinez (33) and Belgian sociologist Delphine Resteigne (28) were attacked by a group of at least 10 youths who attempted to mug them.

KwaZulu-Natal education minister Ina Cronje on Friday threatened legal action against the Inkatha Freedom Party's Youth Brigade after it claimed a ''link'' between Cronje's husband and the company distributing stationery for the education department. At a press conference on Thursday the brigade called on KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele to sack Cronje.

The Underberg community is divided by the R160-million tarring of the Sani Pass -- touted by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe as the southern Drakensberg's gateway to tourism. ''They [tourists] enjoy the horror of the trip. That's why they come,'' a local tour operator said on condition of anonymity.