Long, chaotic lines of vehicles built up on Friday at the few gas stations still supplying fuel after the government banned a hard-currency coupon gas-purchasing system used by well-to-do Zimbabweans. The worsening gasoline shortages caused panic among drivers on Friday.
Ernie Els turned the air blue in frustration as putting woes continued to hamper his attempts to force his way on to the leaderboard at the Open Championship on Friday. The big South African has yet to win this year. But he had come into the tournament with high hopes of challenging after rediscovering his form in the Scottish Open.
South African authorities would adopt a wait-and-see approach before deciding whether or not to seek businessman Billy Rautenbach’s extradition from Zimbabwe. This comes as Rautenbach, best known in South Africa and Botswana for his activities in assembling Hyundai cars, was arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and deported to Zimbabwe.
The fourth round of gold-sector wage talks will start on Monday in Johannesburg, the Chamber of Mines said on Friday. Chamber spokesperson Jabu Maphalala said gold-mining companies represented by the chamber and trade unions would meet at the chamber’s offices in Johannesburg.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has welcomed a recent Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that, it says, effectively makes the sub-judice rule outdated. ”This means that recourse to this legal excuse to avoid public discussion of an issue — a favourite ploy of politicians — is no longer valid, and those using it can be called to account,” Sanef said on Friday.
Russia tried to contain fallout from its diplomatic row with Britain on Friday as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov headed for talks in Germany likely to touch on the affair. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged worries that the row over the poisoning of ex-agent Alexander Litvinenko could damage relations with the European Union.
Dilhara Fernando grabbed a career-best haul of 4-24 to script Sri Lanka’s 70-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening one-day international on Friday. The 28-year-old fast bowler took all his wickets in a lively opening spell as Sri Lanka dismissed Bangladesh for 164 after posting 234-6 to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The government’s reluctance to allocate adequate resources towards the fight against substance abuse has contributed to the sharp increase in drug-related crimes in the country, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Friday. Writing in her weekly newsletter, Zille blamed the fuelling of substance abuse in provinces such as the Western Cape on state inaction.
Unions representing South Africa’s platinum miners warned on Friday of strikes in August unless management agreed to pay demands during last-ditch talks next week. Talks between unions and employers stalled on July 11, but a new round will begin on Thursday, National Union of Mineworkers chief negotiator Oupa Komane said.
Jocelyn Newmarch offers her predictions for the last edition of Harry Potter.