"Travelgate threatens to drastically undermine parliamentary credibility and public trust in the institution. Speaker Baleka Mbete correctly says ‘innocent until proven guilty’. Of course. But even if no MP is convicted of corruption, enough is already known to be able to say that there has been a substantial systems failure in one of the key institutions of democratic governance," writes Richard Calland.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) on Tuesday stated that it is preparing its members in petrol stations, component manufacturing, car-dealer shops and panel-beating shops for strike action after wage negotiations failed. The union is preparing for the large-scale mobilisation of 180 000 workers.
<li><a class=’standardtextsmall’ href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=120108">Union calls Telkom strike</a>
Hoping to spur a 3D revolution, Sharp Systems in the United States introduced a new flat-panel computer monitor on Monday that is designed to deliver eye-popping images without the need for special glasses. Though a handful of lesser-known companies have produced stand-alone 3D displays for the medical and scientific industries, Sharp’s new 38cm LCD 3D display is the first to also target consumers, analysts say.
As relatives tell it, it was the stuff of Greek tragedy: A love-struck young man threw himself off his balcony on Monday, two days after a quarrel prompted his girlfriend — a member of Greece’s Olympic judo team — to jump from the same spot.
Kelly Wilson, a member of South Africa’s fencing team, is a nature conservationist with a passion for cheetahs who is on a double mission at the Athens Olympics. While the copper-haired athlete is sharpening up for sudden-death fencing action, she is monitoring the build-up to a court case involving the death of her favourite cheetah.
If Abdul Rajoub ever doubts his fate should he be discovered on one of his secret night-time visits to his children, there is the videotape of his brother’s last few hours to remind him. ”They cut off his fingers one by one,” Rajoub said. After the killing of two alleged Palestinian collaborators last week, one informant speaks out about his motives and what his future may hold.
Springbok rugby coach Jake White has made four changes to the starting line-up for the Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday. Explosive backrower Joe van Niekerk makes a welcome return to the run-on team in the number eight jersey at Jacques Cronje’s expense, while controversial lock Victor Matfield gets an anticipated recall to partner Bakkies Botha in the second row.
The candidate has been anointed and he has accepted the challenge. The United States is now supposed to have an idea of what makes John Kerry tick and, in November, we shall see whether he has what it takes to do what Bill Clinton did and defeat an incumbent George W Bush. The next four years could be tough for the US and it would be fitting if Bush were left to clear up the almighty mess he has created.
South Africa’s number one lineout factor, Victor Matfield, will in all likelihood be restored to the Springbok team on Tuesday when coach Jake White names his team for Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park. The towering lock’s inclusion would massively boost the Bok team that surprisingly struggled in the lineout in Australasia.
South Africa go into the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground on Wednesday with a chance of winning another series against Sri Lanka. South Africa have won four of their previous five-Test series with honours even on their three-Test tour four years ago, which ended at 1-1.