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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

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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/ 30 August 2007

Heavy fighting rocks eastern DRC

Renegade troops killed several regular army troops and wounded 30 others in five hours of heavy fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) eastern Nord-Kivu province early on Thursday, military and United Nations officials said. Soldiers serving General Laurent Nkunda attacked an army post, killed an undisclosed number and wounded 30 at Katale.

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/ 30 August 2007

Delays in judgement payments slammed

After meting out a severe tongue-lashing over the behaviour of the state attorney and director general of justice’s offices on Thursday, the Constitutional Court said it wanted to issue an order making them accountable for their work. ”I have a deep intolerance for state officials who are paid to do their work and don’t do it,” said Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

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/ 30 August 2007

Patients ‘not affected’ by hospital-theatre closures

Johannesburg Hospital closed seven theatres in July but is treating the same number of cases with a focus on complex medical care, the hospital’s CEO said on Thursday. ”The allegations that cases are being cancelled are not true for the tertiary cases. What is true is that those cases which are inappropriate are being referred elsewhere,” said Sagie Pillay.

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/ 30 August 2007

Unions, Chamber of Mines sign coal deal

The Chamber of Mines signed an agreement on Thursday with three unions over wages in the coal-mining sector. The chamber’s negotiator in the coal sector, Eric Nwedo, said the agreement would increase wages of higher-paid workers by between 7,5% and 8,5%. Lower-paid employees would get a 10% increase.