This week saw the official launch and installation of Parliament’s new emblem, a design created by the people as a cornerstone for South Africa’s new democracy. ”A new emblem was an important step in establishing an identity for Parliament, one that represents its values, vision and mission,” Parliament said in a statement.
Zimbabwe’s main opposition party denied it was stockpiling weapons or waging a terror campaign, as state media reported that police had seized weapons and explosives at the party’s headquarters during a raid. The leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was freed after being held by police for several hours after Wednesday’s raid.
South Africa’s producer-price inflation slowed to 9,5% year-on-year last month from 9,8% in January, data showed on Thursday, boosting expectations that interest rates should stay unchanged. Statistics South Africa said factory-gate prices decreased by 0,1% on a monthly basis in February, after a 0,4% expansion in January.
The City of Cape Town has approved a change to its fire hazard by-laws that will make it easier to prosecute people who toss cigarette butts out of their car windows. The amendment, passed at this week’s council meeting, means the prosecution no longer has the burden of proving who chucked the butt.
There is still no clarity on the future of the Lotto after Saturday night’s draw. The decision as to which company will be awarded the national lottery licence still rests with Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa, current licensee Uthingo said on Thursday.
Southern African leaders on Thursday began an emergency summit to discuss the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe. Host Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who met with Robert Mugabe after his arrival on Wednesday night, said the meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) would not put pressure on the embattled Zimbabwean president.
A defiant Iran said on Thursday it would not release as promised a British woman sailor captured along with 14 male colleagues because of Britain’s "incorrect" attitude in the escalating crisis. The announcement by the head of Iran’s supreme national security council came a day after London said it was freezing ties with Tehran.
MTN, sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest cell phone operator, reported on Thursday adjusted headline earnings per share of 584,7 cents for last year, in line with its own forecast as it signed up new subscribers and made acquisitions. Headline EPS excludes certain non-trading, capital and extraordinary items.
Bolivia won their first away match in three years when they beat 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa 1-0 in a friendly played at Ellis Park. Joselito Vaca’s 19th minute goal brought South Africa back down to earth after they had won their first match under new coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in Chad.
Helicopters pounded rebel positions and tanks rumbled through Mogadishu on Thursday as allied Ethiopian and Somali government troops launched a major push against insurgents, with 11 civilians reported killed. Ethiopian helicopter gunships fired rockets, residents said, in the first use of aerial power in the capital.