Justin Arenstein The Israeli mastermind behind Mpumalanga’s R1,3-billion promissory note scandal has been sentenced in Switzerland to three years in jail and a R1-million fine on multiple theft and fraud charges. Moshe Regev, also known as Regenstreich, was arrested by United States marshals during a dawn raid on his luxury Las Vegas hideout two years […]

Marianne Merten The new Western Cape government has scrapped well-advanced plans, pushed by the previous Democratic Alliance-controlled administration, to semi-privatise provincial agricultural services. This is the first political move by the African National Congress-New National Party coalition to undo the DA government legacy. The Western Cape Agricultural Development Service Bill, which would have transformed agricultural […]

American imperialism is set to cause chaos again this year. The Pentagon and the CIA have begun preparations for a deadly assault on Iraq involving up to 200 000 United States troops that is likely to be launched this year to remove Saddam Hussein from power. George Bush is in Asia, touring a potential future […]

The Proteas were disrupted again before the first Test against Australia Peter Robinson Not that we should be discussing gambling in the context of South African cricket, but if you wanted a flutter on the Test series that starts at the Wanderers on Friday bet365, an Internet betting site, are offering 10-11 on Australia to […]

Stefaans Brmmer Expenditure on the government’s controversial arms procurement package cuts deep into this year’s Budget, with defence’s slice of the total pie increasing to 6,4%, almost one-and-a-half percentage points higher than three years ago. Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel this year allocated R18,41-billion to defence, well up from R16,05-billion last year. This, says Idasa’s […]

SOCCER Thebe Mabanga The appointment of Jomo Sono as Bafana Bafana technical director is a knee-jerk response, a compromise designed to placate factions the militants who called for Carlos Queiroz’s head and the moderates who remember the lessons of France 98. The decision is a potent brew that will explode if results go awry at […]

Although Gauteng’s economic growth plan has been well received, the IFP believes the premier could be more candid about the province’s “achievements” Bongani Majola Continuing high crime levels and a tendency to overestimate what is attainable through the private sector are seen as potential flaws in Gauteng’s “Blue IQ”, the first comprehensive economic growth plan […]

Nawaal Deane The HIV storm has erupted in Aids-wracked KwaZulu-Natal after Minister of Home Affairs Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the province would give nevirapine to all pregnant women, whether or not they could be tested for the virus. Last week Buthelezi criticised national government’s Aids policy, noting that KwaZulu-Natal has the highest prevalance of HIV/Aids in […]

Thebe Mabanga The Department of Trade and Industry is experiencing simmering discontent over its restructuring process, with its Director General, Alistair Ruiters, and two other officials accused of centralising power and sidelining senior colleagues. Sources said that those who have been pushed to the margins include the chief economist Dave Kaplan, whose office is said […]

WITH THE LID OFF John Matshikiza The Belgian government has set an extraordinary precedent in its recent admission of guilt in the slaying of Patrice Lumumba, first and last elected leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The killing of the charismatic Lumumba early in 1961 has always been shrouded in mystery. It was an […]