Staff Reporter
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/ 21 November 2007

Progress on Zim election talks, but …

The leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition said on Wednesday that talks with his government over electoral reform have made progress, but added that ensuring implementation will be crucial. He also said the Movement for Democratic Change might shun next year’s election unless it is sure President Robert Mugabe will not rig it.

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/ 21 November 2007

No suspicious circumstances in Olympic site fire

huge blaze in an empty warehouse on London’s 2012 Olympic Park last week was started when an oxy-acetylene torch ignited insulating material, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said on Wednesday. Black smoke billowed across the city last Monday, briefly sparking security fears. The ODA has ruled out any suspicious circumstances.

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/ 21 November 2007

ANC succession battle enters next phase

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>The battle for the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) enters a climactic phase this week with the party’s two leagues and nine provincial branches each nominating their final candidates. With less than a month to go before the ANC elective conference, the nine provinces are to hold special meetings to consolidate nominations.

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/ 21 November 2007

New chance for political offenders

People convicted of alleged political offences before June 16 1999 will be able to apply for a presidential pardon during a three-month ”window of opportunity” from January 15, President Thabo Mbeki said on Wednesday. He said consideration had been given to using presidential pardons to deal with the so-called ”unfinished business” of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

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/ 21 November 2007

Court ruling gives boost to customary marriages

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that the Road Accident Fund treat women in customary marriages claiming support the same as those married under the Marriage Act (civil marriage). The director of the Women’s Legal Centre, Jennifer Williams, said on Wednesday the ruling was a victory for women married in terms of customary law.

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/ 21 November 2007

Survey: Jo’burg gaining lost ground in service delivery

Johannesburg has steadily regained lost ground in service delivery, a survey released on Wednesday said. ”Predictably issues around service delivery are at 62% this year, from last year’s 59%. The bad news is that in 2004/05, it was over 70% — there had been a decline but we are regaining lost ground,” director of the central strategic unit, Rashid Seedat, said.

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/ 21 November 2007

Imran Khan released from Pakistan jail

Pakistani authorities on Wednesday freed hunger-striking cricket legend Imran Khan from prison, where he has been detained for the last week under anti-terrorism laws, jail officials said. "We have released Imran Khan on the instructions of the provincial government," Sheikh Inamur Rehman, superintendent of Dera Ghazi Khan prison in central Punjab province, said.