A group of South African and Hungarian scientists have discovered a novel way to unravel the mysteries of the annual European swallow migration between the northern and southern hemispheres. By chemically analysing feathers of the little nomads collected during their African sojourn, the researchers are determining from which European breeding area the birds originate.

Deputy President Jacob Zuma has been drawn into the Hefer inquiry into whether National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka abused his official powers. Advocate Steven Joseph, for Ngcuka’s main accusers Mac Maharaj and Mo Shaik, submitted two pages of a sworn affidavit by Zuma to Judge Joos Hefer’s commission on Thursday.

An experienced Home Affairs official knocked out the last pillars of Mo Shaik’s spy argument against chief prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka, in his testimony to the Hefer Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. Willem Vorster’s testimony drew regular laughter as he offered simple bureaucratic explanations for what Shaik had perceived as sinister circumstances.