IN BRIEF ZAMBIA PARLIAMENT ENDS EMERGENCY THE Zambian parliament has ratified the revocation by President Chiluba on March 17 of the state of emergency after an attempted coup by junior military officers last October. In parliament, there was some debate about whether Chiluba should have announced the revocation rather than parliament, and various arguments led […]
WEDNESDAY, 12.45PM: THE official consumer inflation rate in February fell to an annualised 5,4% — 0,2 of a percentage point lower than January’s figure — according to the Central Statistical Service. Month-on-month, prices rose 0,3% from January to February. Chief contributor to increased prices in February was food, which saw a 0,1 percentage point increase […]
WEDNESDAY, 6.00PM: THE Greater Johannesburg Eastern Metropolitan Local Council has been accused by Public Protector Selby Baqwa of lacking the will to govern. A January 23 report says that the council has failed to properly enforce the provisions of the Sandton town planning scheme and has been trying to avoid its responsibilities. “The criticism is […]
WEDNESDAY, 12.15PM: TOP soccer officials have sent an SOS to government for financial intervention to save the game. Professional soccer clubs are looking to central government to intervene to halt the malaise, caused by poor crowd attendances, poor playing facilities and financial constraints, that is threatening the game. Mamelodi Sundowns spokesman Alex Shakoane said in […]
WEDNESDAY, 1.00PM: LIFE assurer Sanlam’s earnings fell 31% to R1,2-billion in the year to December, and the poor results could pose a threat to the firm’s planned demutualisation. The demutualisation still requires an endorsement by policy holders and potential shareholders of the new group, before Sanlam can list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Sanlam executive […]
MONDAY, 11.00AM: SOUTH African Wayne Ferreira put even more pressure on Pete Sampras’s hold on the world tennis number one ranking on Monday. Ferreira, ranked 36th in the world, defeated the American 0-6 7-6(8-6) 6-3 in the third round of the Lipton championships in Key Biscayne, Florida. The South African has a 3-3 record against […]
TUESDAY, 10.00AM: GAUTENG Safety and Security MEC Jessie Duarte has been fired. The African National Congress provincial executive committee met on Monday night and decided the embattled MEC should resign on April 1. Speaking after the executive committee meeting, Gauteng Premier Mathole Motshekga said that after careful consideration, and in consultation with Duarte, the provincial […]
MONDAY, 2.00PM: SOUTH African US Open champion Ernie Els outplayed Tiger Woods to open up a six-stroke lead after the third round of the $2-million Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando, Florida on Sunday. Els started the round two strokes behind Americans Davis Love III and Woods, but stormed to the top with a seven-under-par 65. […]
MONDAY, 12.30PM: THE Atomic Energy Corporation is considering splitting into two divisions, one of which — the commercial division — will be hived off and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange within the next three years. Certain functions, such as nuclear waste disposal, will remain under the control of the state. The AEC is hoping […]
MONDAY, 11.30AM: THE Northern Bulls, after a pedestrian start to this year’s Super-12 competition, belied their bottom-of-the-table status to humble New South Wales 34-19 at the Jan van Riebeeck Stadium in Witbank on Saturday. The Bulls outplayed the Waratahs in the tight, driving strongly and supporting closely at the breakdown. By no means a pretty […]