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/ 30 December 2003
The people have long grown impatient and it is starting to show. African National Congress branches have dwindled from the thousands the party had 10 years ago as people’s appetite for politics has diminished. But in 10 years’ time, where will the ruling ANC be? Rapule Tabane does some crystal-ball gazing.
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/ 30 December 2003
Parmalat founder Calisto Tanzi has admitted to fraud of €500-million, press reports alleged on Tuesday as investigators hunted for billions of euros missing from the insolvent giant Italian food company’s accounts. Tanzi was arrested on Saturday after returning to Italy.
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/ 30 December 2003
Zimbabwe’s health minister on Tuesday said the country was on high alert after a cross-border trader died in the prime tourist resort of Victoria Falls on Christmas Day from a suspected viral haemorrhagic fever. Johannesburg virologists were testing samples for various haemorrhagic fevers including ebola.
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/ 30 December 2003
South Africa’s 2003 national matriculation pass rate has improved by 4,4% to a total of 73,3%, Education Minister Kader Asmal announced on Tuesday, up from 68,9% in 2002, 61,7% in 2001 and only 48,9% in 1999. Asmal said the results ”clearly show that the tide has turned” for South Africa’s education system.
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/ 30 December 2003
Police around Gauteng reported a quiet Christmas this week, with no major crimes having occurred around the province. A provincial spokesperson said the only serious incidents over the Christmas period were four family-related murders. But, People Opposing Women Abuse say that calls have doubled since December 15.
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/ 30 December 2003
The authorities in Swaziland are doing little to stem a flood of bogus ”miracle Aids cures” in a country with one of the world’s highest HIV infection rates. An ”Aids vaccine” in pill form is being supplied to the Swazi army, and a newspaper has published a report on how marijuana can cure Aids.
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/ 30 December 2003
A huge blast ripped through a northeastern Chinese fireworks factory on Tuesday, killing 29 workers and putting 19 others in hospital, state press reported. The explosion tore through two factory buildings of Changtu Safe Environment Color and Noise.
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/ 30 December 2003
A strong bullion price saw gold stocks continue to find favour on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) in noon trade on Tuesday in a market that was up overall in line with its global counterparts. However, volumes were dismal, with less than R150-million-worth of shares changing hands.
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/ 30 December 2003
Schools across Israel were shut on Tuesday as local council leaders failed to resolve a dispute with ministers over a decision to cut more than -million from the education budget. While teachers were not officially on strike, staff such as security guards whose attendance is required by law were staying at home.
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/ 30 December 2003
By Sunday, December’s road death toll was more than 10% lower than last year’s, the Department of Transport said on Tuesday. A total of 846 people had died in 690 accidents, compared with 947 deaths in 734 crashes by the same date last year, it said in a statement.