A 70-year-old farmer diagnosed with Congo fever has been admitted to hospital, the North West health department said on Saturday. Spokesperson Barba Gaoganediwe said the man, who has been identified only as Mr Zeiwick, was in a stable condition in the infectious diseases unit of Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe discreetly slipped into South Africa on Saturday, but the purpose of his visit is not known. The visit comes hot on the heels of President Thabo Mbeki’s remarks that Zanu-PF and opposition MDC would soon engage in talks. The MDC has since denied any knowledge of the talks.

Silver Stars showed great character when they fought back from a 3-1 deficit to force a 3-3 draw with Black Leopards in a Castle Premiership match at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Lamontville Golden Arrows added woes to the struggling Jomo Cosmos when they beat the Johannesburg side 1-0 in a Castle Premiership match at Kings Park Soccer Stadium on Saturday. Thiyekile ”Ace” Gulwa scored the all-important goal for the home team in the 12th minute.

South Africa may be without their most experienced bowler when they meet the West Indies at Newlands on Sunday in the first of five one day internationals. Former skipper and opening bowler Shaun Pollock will face a late fitness test on Sunday after injuring his shoulder in a provincial game earlier in the week.

South African cricket captain Graeme Smith conceded on Saturday that his relationship with Lance Klusener was not ”rosy” but insisted that it was improving. Following South Africa’s sorry showing in the World Cup last summer, the pair indulged in a public spat, with Smith labelling Klusener ”disruptive”.

The West Indies’ wretched tour of South Africa continued unchecked as they crashed to a 209-run defeat in the first of five limited overs cricket matches at Newlands on Sunday. Having lost the Test series 3-0, any hope of a Windies revival in the shorter version of the game vanished amid a flurry of rash strokes.