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/ 30 November 2007

The Zuma plan: It ain’t over till it’s over

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>Key strategists for African National Congress (ANC) presidential frontrunner Jacob Zuma are working to increase his majority at the Polokwane national conference and have vowed not to allow complacency to creep in. They have also blasted President Thabo Mbeki for intentionally dividing the ANC further by continuing to contest the election.

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/ 30 November 2007

Musharraf hangs on by fingertips

General Pervez Musharraf’s plan to retain power as Pakistan’s civilian president is still intact, despite weeks of jaw-dropping blunders. But insiders say he will not last long, once a new government is elected and his army ties fade. They predict his final posting, following a trail into exile blazed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, will be duke of Knightsbridge or king of Dubai, writes Simon Tisdall.

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/ 30 November 2007

It’s the Ben and Tito show

Both Tito watchers and Ben watchers are expecting a change in interest rates. But while South African consumers are expecting another hike, United States consumers are expecting another cut. As a result, South Africa could attract interest from speculators wanting to take advantage of our higher rates, and could help to strengthen the rand.

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/ 30 November 2007

Aids: Beyond the ‘inevitable’ collapse

A few years ago, I co-authored an article on the possible relationship between crime and Aids orphans in South Africa. We also spoke about armies and police forces that might turn to "wilding" or even coup attempts as a result of the impact of Aids among their cadres. We were wrong, writes Pieter Fourie, the author of <i>The Political Management of HIV and Aids: One Burden Too Many? </i>

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/ 30 November 2007

Singing Zuma’s praises

The CD Msholozi, by various Kon-shias artists, is not only a musical tribute to the life and times of Jacob Zuma but a competent artistic venture. Zuma is a complex man and the CD certainly speaks to the multidimensional nature of the African National Congress deputy president.

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/ 30 November 2007

‘Hoax email’ man held for attempted murder

Two weeks after telling the Mail & Guardian that he would be framed or assassinated, the man at the centre of the “hoax email” trial was arrested on Thursday for allegedly attempting to murder his son. Muzi Kunene was apprehended by police at his Ballito home in KwaZulu-Natal after allegedly shooting his 24-year-old son in the back of the head.

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/ 30 November 2007

Give us our daily …

Tiger Brands chief executive Nick Dennis could be in hot water if allegations that he misled the Competition Commission during its investigation into bread price-fixing are true. Commission head Shan Ramburuth says a full investigation will take place and if it is proved that Dennis knew about the price-fixing he could face criminal charges and Tiger Brands could face tougher financial penalties.

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/ 30 November 2007

Molefe: Air state-tender issue

Popo Molefe, a trustee of African National Congress (ANC) funding vehicle Chancellor House, conceded this week that the issue of the ruling party benefiting from state contracts needed to be debated. The Mail & Guardian revealed last week that Chancellor House Holdings, a company set up by the ANC to seek profits on its behalf, would benefit from one of South Africa’s largest state tenders yet.

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/ 30 November 2007

Court rejects UKZN official’s defamation claim — again

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) communications head Dasarath Chetty’s attempts to prove that he was defamed have been squashed in court again. Last week the Grahamstown High Court dismissed Chetty’s appeal against the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court’s rejection in March of his defamation suit against fellow sociologist Jimi Adesina, a professor at Rhodes University.

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/ 30 November 2007

Africa considers a South Africa ruled by Zuma

On May 30 2005, the day judgement was handed down in Schabir Shaik’s trial, Jacob Zuma flew to Zambia on an official visit. Now, as Zuma canters towards the ANC presidency, the rest of the continent is watching developments within the ANC with varying degrees of interest. Zuma, was the first leader to visit President Robert Mugabe after his controversial win in Zimbabwe’s 2002 presidential election.