South Africa’s only listed mobile telecommunications operator, MTN Group, had a 45% rise in its adjusted headline earnings per share for the full year ended March 2005 to 366,6 cents, from an adjusted Heps of 253,1 cents reported in 2004, the group said on Thursday. Its subscriber base grew by 50% to 14,3-million in six countries.
Two more Johannesburg metropolitan police officers have been arrested for corruption, bringing the total of officers arrested to 56 in seven months, the department said on Thursday. A cashier at the Langlaagte traffic department was arrested on Thursday after a deal with two men to organise fake driver’s licences went sour.
Blue tents with sunshine posters are starting to become a familiar sight in townships near South Africa’s major cities, inviting locals to come in for free HIV testing and counselling. A new programme is providing free, anonymous testing in poor areas on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Stephen Gray points out the piece of literature that he thinks Africa deserves.
Attempts to refloat the stranded log-carrier Kiperousa failed on Thursday, but the operation will be tried again on Friday evening, the South African Maritime Safety Authority said. Spokesperson Captain Peter Kroon said on Friday that the cable between the tug and the ship came undone on the first pull on Thursday evening.
Bafana Bafana on Thursday received a disturbing setback for next Saturday’s crunch World Cup game against Ghana when experienced German-based left-back Bradley Carnell withdrew from the squad as a result of a persistent ankle injury. Pivotal number-one goalkeeper Hans Vonk is also a doubtful starter.
Ashwin Willemse’s rugby career hangs in the balance after receiving the news that he has to undergo reconstructive surgery on his troublesome right ankle. ”It is a serious thing and a big setback for me,” said Willemse. ”But, at the same time, it is also a good thing because now it will be known what precisely is wrong with the ankle.”
The South African Under-21 team scored a runaway victory in their opening encounter against Italy at the International Rugby Board Under-21 World Championships in Argentina on Thursday. The South Africans romped to a 83-3 win at the Miresta Rugby Club, after leading 35-3 at half-time.
”Ashley Cole looks tired. Which, considering the tumultuous season the talented Arsenal and England left back has had, is not surprising.” Cole talks to Jamie Jackson about racism, his relationship with Girls Aloud pop starlet Cheryl Tweedy and his future with Arsenal.
Lee Bowyer was this week summoned to appear in court following the Newcastle United midfielder’s on-pitch confrontation with his teammate, Kieron Dyer, during the Premiership game against Aston Villa at St James’s Park on April 2. No action will be taken against Dyer.