MAI Mai tribal kidnappers holding at least 19 Thai nationals hostage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are just bandits seeking money, according to rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. His comments contradicted remarks by Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai who said pm Tuesday the kidnappers’ motives were political and the hostages would be released within […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Maputo | Wednesday HALF a year after the assassination of Mozambican journalist Carlos Cardoso – editor of the independent fax newspaper Metical – the country’s public prosecutor’s office has charged six people for the murder, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) reported on Tuesday. Quoting the Tuesday issue of Metical, Misa said […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday THE United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) and the SA Logistics, Services and Allied Workers Union (Salstaff) have reached an agreement with Spoornet management on a wage increase, Spoornet said in a statement. Spoornet representative Mike Asefovitz said the agreement was reached with two of the three unions involved […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, United Nations | Wednesday THE UN Security Council on Tuesday “strongly condemned” recent attacks by Angolan Unita rebels and urged the release of all civilians – both children and adults – currently being held by the armed group. The council particularly condemned Unita attacks on the town of Caxito, 60km from Luanda, and […]

SOUTH African gold producer Avgold said on Monday it was considering the disposal of its ETC gold mining complex in Mpumalanga. ”In the event that the company decides to proceed with the disposal, prospective buyers will be invited to participate in a formal process by which the disposal will be effected,” Avgold said in a […]

SOUTH African gold producer Harmony on Tuesday said it was considering issuing a debut domestic bond to pay off part of its bank debt. ”Harmony expects that it would use the proceeds to retire part of its existing bank loan facilities,” Harmony Gold Co said in a statement. The size, timing and maturity of the […]

SHARON HAMMOND, St Lucia | Wednesday AN investigation is underway to determine how two archaeological sites in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park were damaged during road works three weeks ago. The park is one of four World Heritage Sites in South Africa and the archaeological sites, which are 30m and 70m in diameter and […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Wednesday THE South African government on Tuesday condemned the general political violence in parts of Zimbabwe and the latest attacks on businesses. ”South Africa does not, and will never condone the violence seen in the country, excuse the occupation of farms and serious harassment of people in rural and urban areas, […]