Barry Streek After shock findings of widespread financial mismanagement and lack of controls, the Office of the Auditor General refused to approve a financial audit of the statements for the now- defunct Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) for the 1999/2000 financial year. Because of the significance of these findings, “I do not express an opinion of […]

The company’s new mining division will be attractive fare for global mining majors hungry for bigger exposure to iron ore Stewart Bailey Iscor’s soon-to-be-created mining division has been tipped as a star performer on the JSE Securities Exchange, but it is unlikely to grace the bourse’s resource board for very long. The division, to be […]

Matthew Burbidge food Carlton Food Network (DStv, channel 54) is a strangely compelling place to visit. The studios have a warm tint, a homely feel; it’s inviting, it’s all about sizzling food, lovely smells, tastes but none of it seems real. The portions are huge and steaming, polished. “Here’s one we made earlier,” the chefs […]

Glenda Daniels The methane explosion that killed 12 workers at the Beatrix Goldfields mine in Welkom this month could have been avoided, according to preliminary findings into the disaster. For the first time in the history of mining in South Africa, a mining company was closed down, sending a strong message that inadequate health and […]

Thebe Mabanga in your ear The debate around local music content on South Africa’s electronic media once again took centre stage when the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) convened hearings to review its local content regulations. The hearings followed the release of a monitoring report in October and a discussion paper on the […]

James Hall The people of Galile, Swaziland, have a randy baboon problem, and political opportunists want to use this as a means to weaken a highly effective anti-poaching act. Galile residents say the baboons speak English, not SiSwati. ”Don’t you hear them at night, conspiring among themselves to go after what they want?” Heather Shongwe […]

Sechaba ka’Nkosi The SABC could be in for another restructuring drive following the appointment of The Star’s deputy editor Mathata Tsedu as the broadcaster’s deputy head of news this week. Tsedu was officially appointed to the position on Tuesday, and Robin Nicolson, was appointed chief financial officer. SABC insiders this week interpreted the appointment as […]

South Africa’s largest journalist union believes its members should not be forced to testify in court cases Pule waga Mabe The South African Union of Journalists (SAUJ) has slammed the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) for signing a record of understanding with the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions and the ministers of safety and […]

By David McKay The appointment of mining entrepreneur Tokyo Sexwale to the board of Absa, South Africa’s third-largest bank, is another step in the former politician’s climb up the South African business ladder. It is further evidence of Absa’s resource-banking ambitions. The bank is reputed to be heavily under-lent by between R6-billion and R13-billion, and […]

Paul Kirk Following a Mail & Guardian expos of claims of cruelty, sadism and sexual assault at the Pretoria Police Dog School last week, one of the most senior female police officers in South Africa has been tasked with investigating allegations against the school. Until this week the investigation into brutality against female and black […]