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/ 14 July 2006

Shilowa could clear finance minister

Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has instituted an investigation into the affairs of his provincial finance minister Paul Mashatile following Mail & Guardian reports of possible conflicts of interests. But Shilowa immediately qualified the possible effectiveness of such an investigation by saying that on the basis of a brief conversation he had with Mashatile, he did not see any wrongdoing.

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/ 14 July 2006

The DA’s double standards

The Democratic Alliance has contradicted its stated policy by giving an African National Congress-aligned municipal manager a R1,8-million golden handshake.
The mayoral committee decided to terminate Bruce Kannemeyer’s contract, and pay him out for the remainder of his term, at its first meeting after the March local elections.

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/ 14 July 2006

Wal-Mart lowers shoplifting bar

”Always low prices” is the endlessly repeated slogan of Wal-Mart, the world’s biggest retailer. But now, if the price is low enough — under — you might get away without paying at all. The chain has decided to stop seeking prosecution of shoplifters stealing goods worth less than , ending the ”zero tolerance” policy inaugurated by the firm’s strictly moral founder, Sam Walton.

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/ 14 July 2006

Inflatable spacecraft launched

Robert Bigelow, the Las Vegas property magnate and space entrepreneur, moved a step closer to his dream of opening an orbiting space hotel on Thursday. At around lunchtime he confirmed that a test vehicle launched on Wednesday from Yasny in Russia had reached its target orbit 547km up with a 64° inclination to the equator.

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/ 14 July 2006

Race is on again

It would be nice to believe that Springbok coach Jake White had patched up his differences with the South African Rugby Union (Saru) after both sides released conciliatory statements this week following the mess over the extension of White’s contract. But you can tell when politicians lie: their lips move.

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/ 14 July 2006

Mountain goat on a mission

"Tired of being accused of driving only glamorous cars, I accepted an invitation to the launch of the new Nissan Patrol Pickup.If you’re looking for a rugged, no-frills workhorse, then the Patrol Pickup is your car. It’s built for the sole purpose of traipsing over treacherous terrain with the talent, finesse and ease of a mountain goat on a mission," writes Sukasha Singh.

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/ 14 July 2006

Crime spike spooks state

A spike in violent crime and the renewed international focus on crime in South Africa ahead of the 2010 Football World Cup has sparked a flurry of activity by the country’s law and order authorities. Insurance experts believe an additional possible factor in the crime rise was the 11-week strike by security guards.

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/ 14 July 2006

The rock and a hard place

The Democratic Alliance is arguably the best placed among opposition parties to make the advance towards a meaningful black vote. But to do so, the party must change. Armed with a war kitty, experience and growing electoral support, Tony Leon is valiantly trying to break the political mould.