force Chris Gordon Details are beginning to emerge of a vast resupply operation carried out by Unita, as the rebels strike at the north-west of Angola. Jonas Savimbi’s rebels are now better armed than in 1992, the Angolan government claims. It is a claim borne out by Unita’s new tactics and reports of the type […]

David Shapshak The Cabinet has discussed the possibility of deploying the army at the end of the year in anticipation of possible chaos stemming from the year 2000 computer problem (Y2K), says Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Jay Naidoo. “I have discussed with the Cabinet the possibility of mobilising the security services in terms […]

JOHANNESBURG youth radio station YFM was hit by robbers late on Thursday night, who assaulted staffers and stole their possessions. Ten armed men stormed the station’s studio in Troyeville at about 11.30pm, forcing late-night presenter Msizi Shembe and his producer Desmond Mashaba to open the station’s safe. When they discovered there was no cash stored […]

Gideon Nieuwoudt has been refused amnesty for the killing of Steve Biko. Peter Dickson describes the career of one of apartheid’s most ruthless killers He is the last non-impersonator alive with Elvis Presley sideburns. His face is lined with untold stories you don’t want to know. Before the prospect of prison and the seekers of […]

CD of the week: Dave Chislett The recent vast successes of the Springbok Nude Girls, best exemplified by the track Blue Eyes, has tended to overshadow the roots of the band, and the fact that, without a doubt, they are really an alternative act. At Nude Girls shows at the moment, you will find trendies, […]

listed on website for deadbeats South Africa’s leading black `wine ambassador’ is listed on an American `Deadbeat Hall of Shame’ Internet site for not paying child support. Cliff Matheson and Justin Arenstein report He is world renowned as South Africa’s leading black “wine ambassador”, but Jabulani Ntshangase has a shady secret. He is featured in […]

Angella Johnson: VIEW FROM A BROAD `She was my baby,” wails Bobba Rosenbaum at the graveside. The bowed octogenarian leans shakily on her walking stick. “I loved her so much. Oh Sarah, I’m really going to miss you …” The thin voice breaks with emotion. Rosenbaum’s daughter, Sonia Abrahams, stands beside her over the freshly […]

Sechaba ka’Nkosi This is Sisi Modise (not her real name). She is four years old and lives in Mapetla, Soweto. In April last year, she became a statistic in the growing list of children sexually abused by adults in South Africa. But in Sisi’s case, the man charged with indecently assaulting her, Leqhoba Tsotetsi, was […]

THE United Nations has evacuated its observers from the north-western Angolan province of Zaire, the national news agency Angop reported on Wednesday. It said UN peacekeepers deployed in the provincial capital, Mbanza-Congo, to protect equipment for the UN Mission in Angola were evacuated to Luanda, on Tuesday following an escalation in fighting in the area. […]

ANGOLAN President Eduardo dos Santos sacked his health minister on Thursday at the request of dissident members of the Unita rebel movement. Ruben Sikato had refused to join the dissidents, who in September disavowed Unita leader Jonas Savimbi, splitting the movement. The Luanda regime has broken off relations with Savimbi and now says it recognises […]