The trial over the controversial Roodefontein development was postponed for a second time on Monday, pending a decision by Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla on whether to provide legal aid for the accused. Former Western Cape premier Peter Marais and his then environment MEC David Malatsi are appearing in the Bellville regional court.
In an effort to develop a classification of marine habitats for South Africa, the marine science community is working virtually round the clock to meet a July deadline for identifying marine priority areas for the country’s first National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister, could be called to testify for the state in the Roodefontein corruption trial which resumes next Monday. Former Western Cape premier Peter Marais and former development planning MEC David Malatsi are accused of taking hundreds of thousands of rands in bribes to smooth the way for provincial approval of a gold estate at Plettenberg Bay.
The Cape Town Anti-War Coalition (ATC) called on the South African government on Thursday to expel the Israeli ambassador as well as cut all trade and diplomatic ties with Israel, which it accuses of "ethic cleansing". The ATC will be supporting a protest before the gates of Parliament on Friday.
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<li><a class=’standardtextsmall’ href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/pd.asp?ao=66598">Israeli tanks fire on peaceful protest</a>
As the government’s national roll-out of anti-retrovirals (ARVs) intensifies, there is growing concern that the available sources of supply — including the only South African company manufacturing generic ARVs, Aspen Pharmacare — could be pressurised by the demand.
The eThekwini (Durban) municipality is planning a national conference on cemeteries and land to address the shortage of space for burial grounds, the head of cemetery services said on Friday. The municipality is also looking at alternatives to cremation, even freezing and shattering bodies.
The Food and Allied Workers Union will meet Parmalat South Africa management next week to get clarity on a plan designed to restructure the Italian diary giant, brought to the brink of liquidation by allegations of fraud and corruption. Parmalat was last year declared insolvent and placed under supervision of turnaround expert Enrico Bondi.
A leading climatologist has warned that the government should take a long-term view of changing climate conditions, or face potential consequences that could ”seriously compound” the existing challenges facing South Africa. Government is aware of it, but needs to recognise this as a long term issue of seriousness,” said Professor Bruce Hewitson.
The Dutch slave ship Meermin ran aground off the southern Cape coast 236 years ago after an on-board rebellion was almost victorious — now researchers are poised to find her secrets. ”It is the beginning of a larger project to find different slave wrecks around the South African coastline,” said project manager Jaco Boshoff.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority was on Wednesday waiting for a plan of action to be determined by the Taiwanese owners of a stricken bulk carrier, Cape Africa, currently under tow to a rendezvous point off the Cape coast. On Monday the 270 metre vessel sent out a distress signal after a hole was discovered near the bow of the ship.