Asbestos-relief activists have warned the Limpopo government not to go ahead with plans to develop a township on old asbestos mining fields. The Penge area, near Burgersfort, has been found to be contaminated with asbestos, which causes lung cancer, and unfit for human habitation. But Limpopo’s department of housing has already approved the development of an existing informal settlement into a formal township.

Major financial irregularities in Mpumalanga’s R920-million 2010 World Cup stadium project have sparked an unprecedented revolt by ANC councillors in Nelspruit. The angry councillors have rebelled against provincial party leaders and are demanding executive mayor Justice Nsibande’s head.

Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla restored two controversial politicians to his Cabinet this week, amid claims that he is rewarding political favours. Senior ANC provincial executive committee members, who did not want to be named, said Makwetla’s reinstatement of David Mabuza and Craig Padayachee was a way of repaying favours that helped him to become the ANC’s provincial leader in 2004.

Fred Khumalo wishes for suicide bombers to put an end to South Africa’s culture of shopping malls.

Four senior staffers have resigned from the South African NGO Coalition (Sangoco) this month, as the funding crisis at Southern Africa’s biggest non-profit umbrella body deepens. Head office operations manager Mabalane Mfundisi and research manager Fayrana Shabodien threw in the towel at the weekend, amid reports that Sangoco has battled to pay staff salaries for the second month running.