Unruly taxi drivers who think they are immune to road rules and terrorise passengers by forcing them to commute in their vehicles should be dealt with, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday. Ann Barnes, the party’s spokesperson for traffic in Johannesburg, said authorities had to start ”confiscating taxis and charging drivers”.
South African transport utility Transnet on Tuesday reported a 15% increase in operating profit to R10,7-billion in the year ended March. Revenues grew by 8% to R28,2-billion, fuelled by strong volume growth across most of the company’s operating divisions. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew 12% to R11,5-billion.
The JSE remained lower across the board at noon on Tuesday with platinum stocks the hardest hit on talk of a likely strike in the sector, while lingering inflation jitters ahead of key data later in the week added to the bearish undertone. At noon, the all-share index was off 0,71%. Resources gave up 0,90% and the gold- and platinum-mining indices were down 1,11% and 2,72% respectively.
The proposed monorail link between Soweto and Johannesburg was ”not logical” and needed a concrete submission, the Transport Department’s director general said on Tuesday. ”What has been in the press doesn’t present itself as logical. We are not adverse to any innovative proposal but it needs to be dealt with properly,” Mpumi Mpofu said.
The World Bank on Monday unanimously approved Robert Zoellick as its president after a controversial two-year term by Paul Wolfowitz, who agreed to resign over a promotion scandal involving his companion. Zoellick, former United States deputy secretary of state and trade representative, was the only nominee for the job.
A suspected bomb blast killed five women outside a busy market in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday, witnesses said. Residents said an explosive device was apparently detonated by the burning of garbage in the city’s central Howlwadag area.
Hotel heiress Paris Hilton, who commanded as much attention behind bars as on the Hollywood party scene, regained her freedom on Tuesday after serving three weeks in jail for violating probation in a drunken-driving case. The incarceration of the 26-year-old multimillionaire ignited a worldwide media frenzy and debate about celebrity justice.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s government ordered the prices of basic goods to be slashed by about 50%, reports said on Tuesday. Bus fares, bread, fertiliser, milk and many other commodities have shot up in price in the past days. Industry Minister Obert Mpofu said the price increases were unjustifiable.
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) said it had no choice but to back Springbok coach Jake White’s decision to send a second-string squad for Tri-Nations matches in Australia and New Zealand. Saru said in a statement on Monday that it had ”to intervene in such a drastic manner based on medical, conditioning and scientific reports”.
South Africa under-23 coach Steve Komphela is still not clear as to who will start for his team when they kick off their Sasol eight-nation tournament against China on Wednesday at the Johannesburg Stadium. Komphela has to choose 11 players from a squad of 26 players, who are also fighting for a place in the team to compete at the All Africa Games next month.