Staff Reporter
No image available
/ 5 February 2008

Nepal still in limbo

After much bargaining and dithering Nepal’s governing alliance, which includes the former Maoist guerrillas, has finally agreed to hold its twice-postponed elections in April. A lot of things can go wrong between now and then, as has happened in the past. Maoist hardliners could try to sabotage polls in which they feel they will have a poor showing.

No image available
/ 5 February 2008

In defence of criticism

In our days as journalism students, there were those who felt strongly that a distinction should be made between ”reporters” and ”journalists”. While some argued that they were one and the same, others suggested a difference: while reporters were content with cataloguing events, journalists went a step further to provide analysis, writes Simphiwe Sesanti.

No image available
/ 4 February 2008

Kenya lifts ban on live broadcasts

The Kenyan government on Monday lifted a ban on live broadcasts imposed over a month ago as violence erupted over the outcome of a hotly contested presidential election, the Information Ministry said. The government said the ban was in the ”interest of public safety and tranquillity” when it was announced on December 30.

No image available
/ 4 February 2008

Cops, students clash in Durban

Students, police and security personnel clashed in running battles on the Durban University of Technology’s Steve Biko campus on Monday. Bricks, bottles and stones were thrown by the students. Journalists were chased from the administration block and a photographer was struck on the back by a student wielding a stick.

No image available
/ 4 February 2008

ANCYL proposes liquor ban on Sundays

A ban on Sunday liquor sales was proposed as a part of the fight against drug and substance abuse among youths, outgoing African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Fikile Mbalula said on Monday. ”The ANCYL will propose that all clubs and taverns be banned from selling liquor on Sundays and their trading hours should be limited.”

No image available
/ 4 February 2008

There is no water crisis, says govt

South Africa is not facing a water crisis, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry said on Monday. The department was responding to media reports on the weekend, citing a National Nuclear Regulator report that suggested serious problems with the country’s water supply, including radioactive contamination, unsafe dams and waste spills.

No image available
/ 4 February 2008

ANC: Mbeki backers won’t be purged

African National Congress (ANC) leaders who supported President Thabo Mbeki in the build-up to the party’s elective conference in Polokwane will not be victimised, the party’s newly elected leadership said on Monday. The ANC said fears that there would be a purge were baseless as the party had no intention to change its traditions.