More than R45,6-million was lost by national and provincial government departments due to financial misconduct in the 2005/06 financial year, the Public Service Commission (PSC) said on Tuesday. Releasing the commission’s report on financial misconduct in government departments, PSC chairperson Stan Sangweni said there were 771 reported cases.
South Africa’s economic outlook has improved despite rising inflation and a spate of strikes, the Bureau for Economic Research said on Tuesday, and raised its growth forecasts for 2007. Africa’s economic powerhouse has seen a series of strikes for higher pay in recent months and inflation-beating settlements could add to price pressures.
The Somali government is trying to create a Baghdad-style safe ”Green Zone” in Mogadishu to protect senior officials and foreign visitors from insurgent attacks, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said on Tuesday. In an interview with Reuters, the Somali premier also accused United States-based Human Rights Watch of ”abusing” his government.
Legal action will be taken if the Sunday Times does not return medical documents belonging to the health Minister, her spokesperson said on Tuesday. Sibani Mngadi said the Sunday Times had until about 5.30pm on Tuesday to return Health Minister Manto Tshabala-Msimang’s medical documents.
President Thabo Mbeki’s dismissal of his respected deputy health minister has handed political ammunition to critics who accuse him of purging opponents as he tries to hold on to political power. Mbeki, facing a fierce battle to maintain leadership of his ruling party, sacked Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge for insubordination, sparking a public outcry.
A doctor who supported former deputy health minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge’s view that the health situation at Frere Hospital constituted a crisis has been suspended. Dr Nokuzola Ntshona on Tuesday said that Luvuyo Mosana, the CEO of the East London Hospital Complex which includes Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals, had suspended her on Monday.
Police have made more arrests in connection with violent organised crime in Gauteng in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year, provincial community safety minister Firoz Cachalia said on Tuesday. Cachalia said arrests for residential and business robberies, and vehicle hijackings had increased compared to last year.
A British clown has had the smile wiped off his face after being told he couldn’t use balloons in his act because children might be allergic to latex. Barney Baloney said he was told by bosses at a supermarket where he was booked to appear that he should leave his balloons at home because of the potential for allergic reactions.
Manchester United are looking to Carlos Tevez to kick-start their English Premier League title defence as Chelsea seek to keep their winning ways in Wednesday’s second round of matches. United were to throw Argentina striker Tevez into action at Portsmouth in place of injury victim Wayne Rooney.
Most New Zealanders believe winning the Rugby World Cup is their destiny, but one glaring hole in their packed trophy cabinet and the taunts of George Gregan say otherwise. Instead, the All Blacks are saddled with the twin tags of being the world’s top-ranked side and top-ranked chokers.