No image available
/ 15 November 2006
The legislative provision for floor crossing — defection by elected national, provincial and local government representatives — was still in place, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi said on Wednesday. He was responding to a question whether the floor-crossing mechanism would still be in place next September.
Click on image for full-size view.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) presidential candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba’s coalition on Tuesday rejected results published so far, which showed his rival President Joseph Kabila poised to win a historic election. ”The Union for the Nation will not accept an electoral hold-up that aims to steal the victory from the Congolese people,” the coalition said in a statement.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
The European Union and South Africa said on Tuesday they had cleared up the last details in the way of long-planned cuts to tariffs on car exports to each other’s markets. The plan was previously agreed and EU countries had now backed its details, an EU official said, adding both sides would seek to implement it by December 1.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
A new women’s magazine will finally bridge the gap between religion and sex — at least for religious Afrikaans women in South Africa. Intiem — meaning ”intimate” — is a new, glossy, A5-size magazine targeting the national religious Afrikaans community that will be launched at the end of November.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
The African National Congress’s (ANC) parliamentary caucus has declined comment on sexual-harassment allegations against its chief whip, Mbulelo Goniwe. On Monday, the ANC Women’s League called for Goniwe’s immediate suspension pending investigation of the allegations.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
Parliament on Tuesday approved the controversial Civil Unions Bill, which provides for same-sex marriage, making South Africa the first African country to do so and one of only a few in the world. Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said South Africa needs to fight and resist all forms of discrimination and prejudice.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
The decision to fire Jacob Zuma as the country’s deputy president was correct, the African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday. ”The ANC accepts and supports the decision of President Thabo Mbeki to release deputy president Jacob Zuma from his duties in government following due consideration of the ruling in the Shaik trial,” said ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
While South Africa still has one of the highest crime rates in the world, the past three years has seen a significant reduction in crime, according to a South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) report. ”The number of serious crimes reported to the South African Police Service declined by almost 18% between 2002/03 and 2005/06 according to the report,” read a SAIRR statement released on Tuesday.
No image available
/ 14 November 2006
The whole wine industry should provide aid for those affected by Monday’s fatal railway accident at Faure in the Western Cape, according to leading figures in the industry. Nineteen wine farm casual workers died and 17 were injured when the truck carrying them was hit by a train at a level crossing.