The African National Congress (ANC) has expressed disquiet at rumours reflected in a documentary on President Thabo Mbeki linking him to the 1993 assassination of South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani. ”The suggestions, made without any reference to any evidence in any form, are deeply hurtful and patently irresponsible,” the ANC said on Thursday.
South African Robert Hunter of the Barloworld team won a wind-battered 11th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday after 182km of drama-filled racing between Marseille and Montpellier. The 30-year-old won a sprint finish just ahead of Swiss Fabian Cancellara and Brazilian Murilo Fischer to claim his, South Africa’s and his continent’s first-ever win in the race.
There was much ado this week over a dress.
The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) will continue with its protests outside Vodacom premises, the union said on Thursday. CWU spokesperson Mfanafuthi Sithebe said the union would defy the interim interdict granted to Vodacom to prevent striking workers from entering, interfering with or obstructing access to the company premises.
South African Robert Hunter won a crash-hit bunch sprint to take the 182,5km 11th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday. The Barloworld rider beat Swiss Fabian Cancellara of the CSC team by half a wheel. Brazil’s Murilo Fischer came home third for the Liquigas team. ”It is very important to me to win a stage on the Tour de France. I am speechless,” said Hunter.
A South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) official has claimed that Israeli security strip-searched him at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park. Samwu first vice-president Xolile Nxu claimed he was detained and interrogated about three weeks ago on his departure for a conference in the West Bank village of Bil’in.
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Former president Nelson Mandela will share a birthday cake with youngsters in Johannesburg on Tuesday at his annual children’s party. Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund spokesperson Tumi Mdwaba said the cutting of the cake will be the day’s highlight.
Sudan’s Justice Ministry has banned all media reporting on the case of 17 people accused of trying to overthrow the government, the latest in a string of such restrictions. Local papers on Thursday said the Prosecutor General had issued a decree ”banning all media outlets, written or broadcast, from any reporting or comment on the attempted sabotage”.
The water in the Blaauwpan Dam near OR Tambo International Airport — contaminated when jet fuel was spilled in November — is now clean, the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) said on Thursday. ”The latest tests conducted on water samples taken from the dam have indicated that the water is clear,” general manager at the airport Chris Hlekane said.
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The most important part of former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy is that our common humanity matters more than our differences, former United States president Bill Clinton said on Thursday. ”Our differences are wonderful, they make life more interesting, but our common humanity matters more,” said Clinton.