Wendell Roelf

Western Cape environmentalists and farmers are increasingly concerned about the multi-million rand proposal to build the Skuifraam Dam near Franschoek, saying it was a ''looming disaster''.

Fake ''dead'' people are costing South Africa's life insurance industry R3-billion a year in false claims, Parliament's public service and administration portfolio committee heard on Wednesday.

After numerous delays, including a nose-bleed and having the charges translated from Afrikaans to English to Ndebele, the NNP's disciplinary hearing against Peter Marais and Peter Malatsi commenced at about 8pm on Monday.

A 12-year-old was sentenced to six months in prison for reckless and negligent driving, while a 13-year-old got five years for an ''economic offence'', Parliament's justice and constitutional development portfolio committee heard on Tuesday.

In an agreement that was hailed as a first for the country, President Thabo Mbeki witnessed on Sunday the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Bafokeng nation and two North West municipalities.