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/ 31 January 2006

Fuel shortage probe under way soon

The panel probing fuel shortages experienced late last year will soon call for public input into its inquiry, chairperson Marumo Moerane said on Tuesday. Moerane met the SA Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) board of governors on Tuesday to outline the process that would be followed during the investigation.

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/ 31 January 2006

Sri Lankans go from sizzle to fizzle

Sri Lanka’s batting went from sizzle to fizzle as South Africa all but ended their hopes of playing in the limited-overs triangular series finals with a five-wicket win at the Waca ground on Tuesday. After an opening partnership of 94 off 97 balls between Sanath Jayasuriya and Jehan Mubarak, Sri Lanka lost their last eight wickets for 85 runs.

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/ 31 January 2006

Travelgate man fights back

Parliament’s axed chief financial officer, Harry Charlton, is to approach the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration for his reinstatement. The man who helped expose Parliament’s Travelgate scam is also planning to sue for defamation, saying ”that his good name, standing and reputation have been called into question”.

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/ 31 January 2006

Mysterious plague of worms hits Mafikeng

A mysterious skin-worm sickness has hit several villages around Mafikeng in the North West, health officials said on Tuesday. ”People come to clinics complaining that their body is itching. Within three days small sores develop. A yellow spot then develops from each sore as it gets ripe. Once the sore is expressed a worm comes out of it,” said provincial health spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane.

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/ 31 January 2006

Platinum wars

As platinum quickly becomes the world’s leading commodity, the Bakwena ba Magopa royal family in the North West is being rocked by a protracted succession dispute that has turned violent. The royal homestead has been torched and the new regent, Motlalepule Mathibedi, has flown their Bethanie headquarters as different factions fight for control.

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/ 31 January 2006

Shady Shefer

To describe Niko Shefer as a shady businessperson is arguably an insult to trees everywhere, but the convicted fraudster has always had a reputation for chutzpah.
This, after all, was the man who reportedly boasted, in a 1999 interview about his innovative methods when conducting business in Africa: ”I move with cash. I can buy the president a Mercedes 600.”

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/ 31 January 2006

SA delegation arrive in Côte d’Ivoire for progress talks

A South African mission appointed by President Thabo Mbeki arrived on Tuesday in Abidjan for consultative talks with President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny, officials said. The South-African delegation, led by Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and the deputy minister of foreign affairs, Aziz Pahad, were to enter into talks with Gbagbo first before meeting Banny.