SOUTH Africa’s central bank cut its key repo rate by 100 basis points to 11% on Thursday, taking the financial markets by surprise. The Reserve Bank said that its decision was based on the clearly discernible declining trend in inflation and projections from its Monetary Policy Committee that the CPIX index would be within its […]

PAUL KIRK, Durban | Friday THE high-profile owner of a Durban electronics shop was arrested this week on suspicion of illegally tapping the telephones of a major shipping company. Police say only three cases of illegal telephone tapping – including this weeks case – have been prosecuted since new legislation was passed allowing for serious […]

SOUTH Africa’s Public Enterprises minister on Wednesday confirmed the former chief executive of the national airline was paid a $28-million salary, saying government never approved the amount. Jeff Radebe said the chief of South Africa’s giant public utility Transnet, also did not have the authority to enter into an employment contract with Coleman Andrews, hired […]

MATTHEW BURBIDGE, Johannesburg | Thursday AS the big guns gather in Pretoria to probe alleged corruption in South Africas controversial arms acquisition deal, a small group of people on Thursday huddled in front of a run-down hospital in Johannesburg to protest military spending. Asked how a small group could ever hope to influence the governments […]

Johannesburg | Thursday A PRISONER was killed and a man linked to an Israeli mafia organisation in South Africa was wounded when a gunman attacked a police van taking them to court on Wednesday, a police representative said. Senior Superintendent Chris Wilken said Lior Saadt and four other awaiting trial prisoners were travelling to the […]

DAVID LE PAGE, Johannesburg | Thursday JUDGE Willem Heath’s resignation from the judiciary was accepted by cabinet on Wednesday, but the cabinet decision was communicated to him via the press, rather than directly. The decision leaves him without any pension after 13 years service as a judge. Heath has headed the Special Investigating Unit, which […]

Cape Town | Thursday THE South African cabinet on Wednesday approved a law change that will allow government to monitor cell phone conversations, but seemed set to clash with phone companies over who will cover the cost of tapping. Government communications chief Joel Netshitenze said cabinet approved the tabling of the bill in parliament because […]

THE South African Human Rights Commission on Monday launched a 12-month survey into the human rights situation in farming communities. ”Reports of farmer brutality towards their employees, shocking employment and living conditions, massive child labour and the continued murders of farmers have dominated the country’s agriculture and created perceptions of a deeply troubled sector,” commission […]