The Zimbabwe Independent‘s news editor, Dumisani Muleya, has been awarded the Free Press Africa Award at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalists Awards 2006 for his series of stories revealing the covert takeover of three privately owned newspapers by Zimbabwe’s intelligence services.
Former champion Ernie Els, yet to win this year, moved into a seven-way tie for the early lead with a four-under-par 68 in the British Open first round on Thursday. Determined to shake off a loss of form following a knee injury last season, the big South African rattled up six birdies and two bogeys in near-perfect scoring conditions at Hoylake.
The Cape Town city council will prepare for Green Point to host a 2010 Soccer World Cup semifinal match in the hope that the national government will deliver on its financial promises. ”We accept in good faith the national government’s commitment to these costs, but we need to know for sure before we sign the final contracts,” mayor Helen Zille said on Thursday.
About 30% of people killed in farm attacks are workers, and between 14Â 000 and 30Â 000 have left farms in the past 20 years because of attacks, trade union Solidarity said on Thursday. However, deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann stressed that the police moratorium on crime statistics had not made research easy.
A three-day strike by Solidarity members came to an end on Thursday after they settled with synthetic fuels group Sasol for a 6,5% wage increase. Solidarity had been demanding a 10% wage increase. The strike was called off following discussions between Sasol chief executive Pat Davies and Solidarity’s general secretary Flip Buys.
A Nigerian national was arrested on an Air Zimbabwe flight to Harare after he threatened other passengers, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported on Thursday. The man, who was not named, was arrested on Wednesday at Kamuzu International airport in Lilongwe, Malawi, for behaving in a manner that compromised the safety of other passengers, said the newspaper.
Japan and the United States announced a plan on Wednesday to deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles and boost troop numbers at US bases in Japan as a top government spokesperson called for more action on North Korea over its recent missile tests.
Survivors of the Java coast tsunami tried to return to normal life amidst the rubble of disaster on Thursday despite aftershocks that continued to spread fear and anxiety. Tens of thousands displaced by the disaster were housed in temporary shelters.
A singer who wore a police uniform to front the Village People disco-era band pleaded no contest to cocaine possession charges on Wednesday, according to prosecutors. Victor Willis, who led his costumed band mates in dance-club hits such as Macho Man and YMCA, faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison as a result of the plea bargain.
A private member’s Bill intended to compensate victims of violent crime has been submitted by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at Parliament. Crime was a national crisis and ”everyone knows a victim, or is a victim” of violent crime, said DA safety and security spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard.