The Ministry of Defence is facing the prospect of a string of lawsuits over the deaths of at least 18 Iraqi civilians allegedly killed by British soldiers. The incidents, hitherto unreported, are separate from the suspicious deaths of seven Iraqis who were being held by British troops in the notorious Camp Bucca detention centre near the port of Umm Qasr, south of Basra.

After declining to get involved in peddling cocaine, Davide De Marchi took the precaution of not always being at home. His bosses in the Sicilian Cosa Nostra had not taken kindly to his refusal. ”Once, while for reasons of security I was hiding in the flat opposite mine, I saw Salvatore Cimino [not his real name] and three others coming up the stairs,” he told investigators.

OK, not the sort of grumble to invite much sympathy. Symbol of privilege and all that. But it is a melancholy discovery all the same: your garden might be better off without a swimming pool. Upon moving to Johannesburg it is of course love at first sight. Who on a scorching summer afternoon could not fall for the rectangle of azure water glinting amid the shrubbery?

Over 60 000 South Africans may have their heads shaved or colour-sprayed in 24 hours in April — when the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) tries to raise funds for cancer awareness and research. Cansa spokesperson Michael Fagan said on Friday the Cansa Shavathon would be the high point of a campaign intended to raise R8-million to fight the disease.

The South African cricket team, trailing New Zealand 1-2 in the one-day series, were given further bad news on Saturday with the likelihood that key all-rounder Shaun Pollock will not be available for the next match.