The Automobile Association (AA) has warned that another fuel-price increase should be expected in September. ”With tensions in the Middle East and the approach of winter in the northern hemisphere, it is expected that crude oil prices will remain high for the months ahead,” said AA spokesperson Petro Kruger.
South Africa’s Parliament said on Wednesday that it would be unwise and "incorrect" to comment on the court processes concerning MPs charged in the Travelgate scam. In a statement Parliament said: "Parliament … notes the Democratic Alliance’s concerns in their recently published media release."
With the base of demand for new cars growing substantially over the past five years and overall rates of economic growth expected to remain buoyant, the remaining months of 2006 are likely to yield further record-breaking months for new-vehicle sales, according to vehicle manufacturers.
South Africa’s retail sales quickened in May, adding to the case for higher interest rates, but the figures were seen as too dated to have much impact on the outcome of the central bank’s policy meeting on Thursday. Retail sales leapt by 10,6% in the year to May at constant prices, accelerating from an unrevised increase of 9,7% in April, Statistics South Africa said.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the UN Security Council to immediately strengthen the 6Â 200-strong African Union force in Darfur and more than double it if the Sudanese government gives a green light for the UN to take over peacekeeping in the conflict-wracked western region.
Three members of the Tshwane City Council were among seven people charged with fraud, Pretoria police said on Wednesday. They were arrested in stages late last month for selling vacant land, belonging to the council, to community members from Mamelodi, Inspector Paul Ramaloko said.
A South African Law Reform Commission report has proposed that legislation should be adopted to deal with victims of crime. Official opposition Democratic Alliance safety and security spokesperson Dianne Kohler Barnard said on Wednesday that it appeared that Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla was sitting on the report.
Charges of attempting to obstruct the course of justice have been dropped against Zimbabwe’s justice minister because no magistrate is prepared to hear the case out of fear, it was reported on Wednesday. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa was facing charges of attempting to influence witnesses in a political-violence case that involved the country’s Security Minister, Didymus Mutasa.
Free State farmers are to take the government to court over safety concerns along the Lesotho border, their union said on Wednesday. ”The research has been done and the economic impact has been quantified,” said Free State agriculture president Louw Steytler.
The decision on whether the name of Johannesburg International airport will change to OR Tambo International airport will be announced later this month, the Ministry of Arts and Culture said on Wednesday. ”Minister [of Arts and Culture Pallo] Jordan will make an official statement on the status of the … name change … in mid-August,” it said in a statement.