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/ 31 August 2007

Massive Parliament reshuffle

In an unprecedented shake-up of its parliamentary structures, the ANC has reshuffled the chairpersons of nine committees, including some of the legislature’s most high profile, and appointed former Jo’burg mayor Isaac Mogase to the vacant post of chief whip.

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/ 31 August 2007

Zimbabweans flee to more misery in SA

Crispin Mutamba fled exhausting bread and fuel queues in Zimbabwe for wealthy South Africa, only to find himself stuck in another one for three months outside Home Affairs in Pretoria hoping to get permission to stay. The chances are slim. Mutamba can’t find a job or a home, and, like many Zimbabweans, he feels like a pariah.

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/ 31 August 2007

Inflation: the mealie factor

A new economic scourge is stalking markets internationally. It has helped force up interest rates in South Africa already and is likely to bring more rate increases. The scourge is run­away mealie prices. Store-bought mealie-meal in metropolitan areas is up 22% since last year, according to the National Agriculture Marketing Council.

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/ 31 August 2007

Win some, lose some in Sunday Times judgement

The Johannesburg High Court has ordered the Sunday Times to return Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s medical records and copies thereof to the Cape Town Medi-Clinic. However, Judge Mahomed Jaj-bhay ruled on Thursday that personal notes of Sunday Times journalists are not affected by his order and the newspaper can continue to comment on the matter.

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/ 31 August 2007

‘Voters are being undermined’

”From the outset the UDM opposed the concept in a proportional representation electoral system because there are no wards that public representatives could return to and face by-elections to consult the voters about their proposed defection,” says UDM leader Bantu Holomisa about the partye’s opposition to floor crossing.

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/ 31 August 2007

Leadership for a new age

As the bell summons delegates to the Polokwane rendezvous, is the ANC inspiring confidence as a leader capable of taking the country into a new age? This question assumes currency not only because we are dealing with South Africa’s strongest political party. Supporter, critic and opponent alike concur that, historically, by ably advancing the synthesis of a common humanity, the ANC has been the glue that has held this country together.

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/ 31 August 2007

Getting a nose in front

As any veteran of African National Congress conferences will tell you: delegates tend to back the leading horse. So, perceptions of which candidate has a nose in front when December comes are going to be crucial to the outcome of the leadership race.

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/ 31 August 2007

In the wake of floods

Massive flooding in south-eastern Sudan could lead to the outbreak of water-borne diseases such as cholera, health authorities are warning. Sudan has been experiencing some of the worst floods in its history, with 3,5-million people affected and at risk of disease, the UN says. In Saraf Saeed three of the village’s five natural wells have been contaminated by flood waters in recent weeks.