VIOLATIONS of a week-old ceasefire between rebel forces and the government side in war-wracked Sierra Leone have been reported to the United Nations, observers said on Tuesday. The UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (Unomsil) ”continues to receive reports of violations or attempted violations of the ceasefire which can put the peace talks in Togo […]

OVER 40 elderly Swazi widows are celebrating their acquittal in a South African court in Pongola on charges of defrauding the government of thousands of rands of pension monies. They were arrested in May last year while queueing at a government office in Pongola to draw pensions using illegally obtained South African documents. They were […]

THE Democratic Party said on Monday that it has evidence proving that the SABC has been deliberately biased against it. This follows similar complaints lodged against the SABC by the PAC. DP spokesman Douglas Gibson said the DP is in possession of extracts from an SABC-produced document which gives its journalists, anchors and analysts guidelines […]

MONDAY, 10.30AM: THE Finance Department has decided to allow market-makers in South African government bonds to quote wider spreads between buying and selling prices than the two basis points allowed thus far during periods of volatility in the bond market. Analysts say the move is a sign that some primary bond dealers were particularly hard […]

ESMIE FERREIRA, Cape Town | Tuesday 9.00pm. THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) says the setting aside of former State President P.W. Botha’s conviction on contempt of court charges may allow him to ‘escape responsibility’ for apartheid-era abuses. “Mr. Botha will once again not suffer the consequences of his actions during the worst period of […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Kinshasa | Tuesday 8.30pm. RWANDAN forces on Tuesday violated Kigali’s unilateral declaration of a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kinshasa charged on Tuesday. Rwandan troops backing a rebellion against DRC President Laurent Kabila launched “offensive actions” in central Kasai and southeastern Katanga provinces following heavy losses last month, DRC Deputy […]

IN a move that opens up the race to stiff competition, Malawi’s Electoral Commission has withdrawn its appeal case against a High Court decision allowing two leading opposition party leaders to contest the June 15 presidential elections as running mates. The withdrawal of the appeal case means incumbent President Bakili Muluzi faces a tougher election […]

RONNIE ELIOTT and OWN CORRESPONDENT, Pretoria | Tuesday 10.30am THE case against fugitive and suspected heist artist, Collin Chauke, was on Tuesday postponed to April 3 next year for trial. Charges have been withdrawn against two of Chauke’s three co accused — Munuku Matjene and Chauke’s right-hand man and best friend Muntu Mahlangu — due […]

MONDAY, 10.30AM: LABOUR action at South Africa’s ports, particularly Durban, have cost shipping companies R600-million since the beginning of April, according to industry sources. Technical support staff and dockers at Durban, Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth, Richard’s Bay and Saldanha have been on a protected strike since last Monday over a disputed bonus payment. […]

TWO of South Africa’s bowlers got off to a rough start in the 1999 Men’s African States bowls championships at Marks Park on Sunday. The pair of Gerry Baker and Rudi Jacobs lost 34-16 to Swaziland before recovering their composure and beating Zambia 18-15.