Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai walked out of court a free man on Tuesday after prosecutors scrapped treason charges that had been hanging over his head since 2003. Prosecutor Florence Ziyambi told the court that the state was ”withdrawing the charges before plea” without stating any reasons for the about-turn.
Wim Duisenberg, the former European Central Bank chief who helped create the euro currency, was found dead on Sunday in his swimming pool in southeastern France, officials said. He was 70. Police did not give a cause for Duisenberg’s death but rescue teams and police said Duisenberg was found unconscious in the swimming pool at his home in the town of Faucon, and could not be resuscitated.
South African motor manufacturers on Tuesday said all indications were that the vehicle market would retain its momentum over the next quarter. According to Brand Pretorius, chairperson of McCarthy Motor Holdings, should sales recorded by Associated Motor Holdings be included, total sales again exceeded the 50 000 mark to end the month on 51 447 units.
The 11-day strike by about 20 000 workers at Pick ‘n Pay ended late on Monday, with the food retailer estimating total turnover losses at R73-million, according to CEO Sean Summers. Summers said the settlement would result in an overall increase in the company’s labour bill of about 7,2%.
When you are the Bafana Bafana coach, you have no option but to be grateful for small mercies. However, even the news on Monday that Stuart Baxter will be able to select players from Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic, Moroka Swallows and Supersport United for next week’s Cosafa Cup semifinal still had a backlash.
Arsenal without their talismanic skipper Patrick Vieira are still in the running to win the Premiership title, veteran defender Dennis Bergkamp claimed on Monday. The 36-year-old Dutch international believes the Gunners have sufficient quality with the likes of youngsters Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini to offset the sale of Vieira.
John Daly has sued The Florida Times-Union and its website, contending he was defamed by a columnist who called the golfer a thug who allegedly beats women. Daly is suing over statements that he is ”accused of smacking women around” and he has ”thug life qualifications”, among others.
The JSE was firmer in noon trade on Tuesday, with stronger European markets underpinning already positive sentiment towards equities. The gains came despite a slightly firmer rand. By 11.55am, the all share index added 0,42%. The financial and banks indices firmed 0,74% and 1,47% respectively.
Eddie Jones faced suggestions he has outlived his usefulness as Wallaby coach on Tuesday as he arrived home from Australia’s dismal tour of South Africa. Jones put a brave face on the Wallabies’ twin losses to the Springboks, saying the team still have time to raise their overseas performance before the 2007 World Cup in France.
Susan Polgar, a four-time women’s world chess champion from Hungary, was out to set a new world record on Monday for the most simultaneously played games of chess. By Monday afternoon, Polgar had 326 games going — enough to break the record of 321 listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.