Jacques Keet
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/ 22 June 2006

DA: Govt failing to manage public cash

The national government has failed on a grand scale to properly manage public money, Democratic Alliance public accounts spokesperson Eddie Trent said on Thursday. An overview of the audit outcomes of government departments proves that too many ministers and directors general are unable to provide proper financial management of public money, he told a media briefing at Parliament.

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/ 21 June 2006

Alien wasp could cost forestry sector R895m

The forestry sector could lose almost R900-million because of invasive alien wasps, says Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks. In written reply to a question by Democratic Alliance MP Janet Semple in the National Assembly, Hendricks said a control programme to limit damage had been introduced.

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/ 23 May 2006

Changes in store for awaiting-trial system

Major changes to the management of the awaiting-trial detention system are on the cards, Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour said on Tuesday. Speaking during debate on his budget vote in the National Assembly, Balfour said this remained one of the key challenges facing the criminal-justice system.

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/ 19 May 2006

Student tuition fee limits on the cards

Government is considering placing an upper limit on student tuition fees in the public higher education system, Education Minister Naledi Pandor said on Friday. Widening access to higher education has led to pressing cost challenges, she told MPs in the National Assembly during debate on her budget vote.

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/ 8 May 2006

Mbeki: Task of reconciliation still not concluded

The task of accomplishing national reconciliation has not yet been concluded, President Thabo Mbeki said on Monday. Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament to mark the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, he warned against disregard for the law and the rights of others. Mbeki also urged continued respect for democracy.

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/ 24 March 2006

Cape Town political spat still unresolved

Jostling over governance in the Cape Town metro continued on Friday with no apparent solution imminent. The Democratic Alliance’s tenuous hold on power in the city is being threatened by the Independent Democrats’ determination to pursue its quest for changing the executive mayor system to an executive committee system.

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/ 22 March 2006

Masetlha’s services terminated

President Thabo Mbeki has terminated the services of suspended National Intelligence Agency (NIA) head Billy Masetlha with immediate effect. Briefing the media at Parliament, government communications chief Joel Netshitenzhe said this followed Mbeki’s determination that the relationship of trust between himself and Masetlha had irreparably broken down.

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/ 14 March 2006

Annan: Africa requires new approach

Despite their historical past, Africans cannot be absolved of their own responsibility to themselves and their children, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday. Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, he said the African peoples have achieved much, but much also remains to be done.

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/ 4 March 2006

ID continues to spurn coalitions

The Independent Democrats, who emerged kingmakers in the Cape Town metro and also holds the balance of power in various other municipalities in the Western Cape after Wednesday’s election, remains adamant it will not enter into coalitions with any other party.

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/ 15 February 2006

Manuel upbeat about economic future

An upbeat Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel painted a rosy picture of the South African economy during his 10th Budget speech to the National Assembly on Wednesday, but also sounded a word of warning. ”Business confidence is strong; investment and employment creation have gained momentum; inflation and interest rates remain moderate,” he said.