The African National Congress’s (ANC) national policy conference in Gauteng next week should remain loyal to principle and continuity, but also respond to changing circumstances, President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday. The four-day conference, which starts on Wednesday, will assess the party’s major policy positions.
Indian scientists have patented two new tea-based products — a pill and a fizzy drink they hope will give consumers the same pleasure as drinking a freshly brewed cuppa. A four-member team based in the north-eastern state of Assam said their chewable pill and a health drink are now ready to cause a buzz on the world market.
The government formally tabled a final public-service wage proposal, including a 7,5% increase, at wage talks on Friday — but unions said they were not yet ready to sign the offer. Unions have 21 days to accept or reject the offer. Until then, the wage talks are suspended.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s ruling party is expected to be the big winner of legislative elections on Sunday in Congo, where opposition complaints have had little impact. Sassou Nguesso has been back in controversy this week after French prosecutors started investigating allegations that he used embezzled state funds to buy luxury Paris apartments.
An air strike by foreign-led forces killed 25 civilians, including 12 members of a family, and 20 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province, the provincial police chief said on Friday. Hussien Andiwal said the raid took place on Thursday night as part of an operation against Taliban fighters by foreign forces and Afghan troops.
Muslims angered by Britain’s decision to honour author Salman Rushdie with a knighthood were rallying in London on Friday, warning that anger over the award could match the fierce reaction to publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in Denmark last year.
Two game farmers with tape measures in hand say Free State authorities break their own rules for housing confiscated wildlife, including lions, a media report said on Friday. Free State department of environmental affairs spokesperson Kgotso Tau said: ”Individuals should stop kicking up dust and dramatising.”
Two boys have been rescued from a Transkei initiation school after a so-called traditional surgeon cut off the ends of their penises, the Eastern Cape health department said on Friday. Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the boys, plus a third youth, were found at the village of Swazini near Port St Johns.
The Democratic Alliance accused the Nokeng tsa Taemane municipality on Friday of hiding the truth by denying it faced collapse and needed R20-million from Gauteng province to survive. Municipal manager Mpho Mogale admitted the municipality had a cash-flow problem, and said plans were already in place to deal with it.
A man and a woman died, four people were injured and 45 shacks were destroyed in a fire in Malvern, Johannesburg police said on Friday. A 46-year-old man — thought to have started the blaze at about 11pm on Thursday night — has been arrested, said police spokesperson Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht.