WEDNESDAY, 6.00PM: THE Greater Johannesburg Eastern Metropolitan Local Council has been accused by Public Protector Selby Baqwa of lacking the will to govern. A January 23 report says that the council has failed to properly enforce the provisions of the Sandton town planning scheme and has been trying to avoid its responsibilities. “The criticism is […]
WEDNESDAY, 12.45PM: THE official consumer inflation rate in February fell to an annualised 5,4% — 0,2 of a percentage point lower than January’s figure — according to the Central Statistical Service. Month-on-month, prices rose 0,3% from January to February. Chief contributor to increased prices in February was food, which saw a 0,1 percentage point increase […]
WEDNESDAY, 12.15PM: TOP soccer officials have sent an SOS to government for financial intervention to save the game. Professional soccer clubs are looking to central government to intervene to halt the malaise, caused by poor crowd attendances, poor playing facilities and financial constraints, that is threatening the game. Mamelodi Sundowns spokesman Alex Shakoane said in […]
WEDNESDAY, 1.00PM: LIFE assurer Sanlam’s earnings fell 31% to R1,2-billion in the year to December, and the poor results could pose a threat to the firm’s planned demutualisation. The demutualisation still requires an endorsement by policy holders and potential shareholders of the new group, before Sanlam can list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Sanlam executive […]
WEDNESDAY, 12.15PM: PAKISTAN have called up pinch-hitter Shahid Afridi and all-rounder Muhammad Husain to their squad for the triangular tournament between Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa, to be played in South Africa in April. Neither of the players is currently on tour with the Pakistani squad in Zimbabwe. The players left out of the […]
MONDAY, 11.00AM: SOUTH African Wayne Ferreira put even more pressure on Pete Sampras’s hold on the world tennis number one ranking on Monday. Ferreira, ranked 36th in the world, defeated the American 0-6 7-6(8-6) 6-3 in the third round of the Lipton championships in Key Biscayne, Florida. The South African has a 3-3 record against […]
TUESDAY, 10.00AM: GAUTENG Safety and Security MEC Jessie Duarte has been fired. The African National Congress provincial executive committee met on Monday night and decided the embattled MEC should resign on April 1. Speaking after the executive committee meeting, Gauteng Premier Mathole Motshekga said that after careful consideration, and in consultation with Duarte, the provincial […]
MONDAY, 11.30AM: PAKISTAN took three blows in the final half hour when they lost three quick sticks for 18 runs on the second day of the second and final cricket Test against Zimbabwe on Sunday. Seamer Mpumelelo Mbangwa took two wickets in as many deliveries, sending back Azhar Mahmood for 20 and breaking a stubborn […]
MONDAY, 2.00PM: THE organisers of the glamorous MTN Classic women’s tennis tournament are in hot water after accusations from the South African Tennis Association that the tournament could place the game it is trying to boost in serious jeopardy. Sata chairman Gordon Forbes criticised the event for causing the withdrawal of SA top seed and […]
MONDAY, 12.15PM: ITALIAN bidder Aeroporti Di Roma became the unexpected strategic equity partner of the Airports Company of South Africa when it paid R819-million for a 20% stake in the local airport management on Friday. Commentators believe ADR paid 40% more than rival bidders Britain’s Airports Authority (BAA), Amsterdam Airport Schipol, and a joint bid […]