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/ 25 August 2007

Confusion over Sanco call for editor probe

The Gauteng branch of the South African National Civic Organisation’s (Sanco) request for an investigation into the Sunday Times editor was ”legitimate”, the national leadership said on Friday. This conflicted with an earlier statement by a Sanco national executive committee member who rejected the provincial body’s call for a probe.

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/ 24 August 2007

Botswana concerned over trade imbalance with SA

Botswana has repeated its criticism of the unhealthy trade balance with South Africa, saying it is heavily skewed in favour of its economically stronger neighbour. Speaking on Friday, Botswana’s newly appointed High Commissioner, Motlhagodi Molomo, said Botswana President Festus Mogae was concerned about the trade inequality between the two countries.

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/ 24 August 2007

ANC sub-regional secretary dies

The African National Congress (ANC) secretary for the Tlokwe sub-region died on Thursday, the municipality said. Mpho Badirwang (36) also served in the North West provincial government. ”The office of the executive mayor of Tlokwe municipality, Maphetle Maphetle, wishes to send his deep felt condolences to the family,” mayoral spokesperson Kaizer Mohau said on Friday.

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/ 24 August 2007

Iraq: Tricky balancing act for White House hopefuls

On the campaign trail or in the debating chamber, there’s just no escaping it. Like the spectre at the feast, the Iraq war is dominating the White House race in a contest in which every word counts. The eight hopefuls chasing the Democratic Party nomination for the 2008 elections to replace President George Bush seem united in their calls to end the unpopular conflict.

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/ 23 August 2007

Nigeria finance minister pledges faster reforms

Nigeria’s new Finance Minister Shamsuddeen Usman said on Thursday he would accelerate economic transformation and sustain macro-economic stability achieved under a reform programme launched in 2003. In his first news conference since taking office, Usman also said the government would amend the 2007 budget, mostly to fund a 15% public-sector pay rise.

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/ 21 August 2007

Manuel defends SA’s stance on Zimbabwe

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on Tuesday defended South Africa’s quiet diplomacy toward Zimbabwe, saying that foreign intervention to bring about a regime change risked unleashing turmoil like in Iraq. He told lawmakers that South Africa — the top regional powerbroker — was not in a position to dictate political and economic policy to Zimbabwe.