THE Nigerian government on Wednesday approved 25,5-billion naira ($228-million) for the expansion of the National Assembly complex in Abuja. The expansion will involve the construction of hundreds of offices, rest rooms and car parks for parliamentarians, Information Minister Jerry Gana told reporters after a cabinet meeting. The construction, to be completed in 30 months, will […]

THE British firm International London Limited (ILL) has paid 10% of the $1,3-billion it bid for a majority stake in the Nigeria’s telecoms firm Nitel, officials said on Wednesday. “We received confirmation this morning from the New York branch of Standard Chartered Bank that ILL paid 10% of the bid yesterday (Tuesday),” said Bureau of […]

CLAIRE KEETON, Vlakplaas | Sunday SOME 600 South African traditional leaders, wearing animal skins and beating drums, gathered on national reconciliation day on Sunday for a healing ceremony at Vlakplaas, once the secret base of apartheid-era hit squads infamous for torture and executions. “I feel this place has now been transformed and belongs to the […]

Yakutsk | Monday THE Russian diamond monopoly Alrosa and South African giant De Beers signed a new, five-year cooperation accord on Monday only two weeks before their current agreement expires. The agreement, which will see Alrosa sell De Beers about S800-million worth of uncut diamonds a year, would help stabilise the world’s diamonds market, Russian […]

Former president Nelson Mandela on Sunday appealed to the Gauteng African National Congress to keep up with changes after provincial supporters failed to sing the entire national anthem.

Harare | Sunday ABOUT 2 000 young women in eastern Zimbabwe who passed ”virginity tests” this weekend were told that tribal authorities in the area would from now regard any attempt by a man to touch a woman above her wrist as rape. Chief Makoni told the women to scream if any men’s hands wandered […]

Johannesburg | Monday TWO young girls, who were injured in the train crash near Koppies in the Free State, were on Sunday night in a stable condition after undergoing surgery at the Medi-Clinic in Vereeniging. Hospital representative Melinda Pelser said a toe on the left foot of a 10-year old girl, Nomthandazo Ngwetsheni, was amputated […]

A 36-year-old man shot dead his two young children before turning the gun on himself in his Lotus River, Grassy Park, house on Friday. Superintendent Nina Kirsten said the tragedy happened at 1.20am when Martin Macsimlay shot his sons Richard, eight, and Wesley (13) both in the head in their bedroom. Macsimlay then shot himself […]

POLICE on Friday launched a high density crime prevention operation throughout the Western Cape. Provincial police commissioner Lennit Max said the operation started at 5am and involved personnel of the SA Police Service (SAPS), the defence force, law enforcement agencies and the traffic department. ”Today’s operation marks the kick-off to combat criminal activities that usually […]

THE Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) on Friday requested land line operator Telkom to give a written undertaking not to implement its proposed rate increases on January 1, 2002. ”Should Telkom not comply with the authority’s request, Icasa’s attorneys have been instructed to approach the high court on an urgent basis for appropriate relief,” […]