INTERNATIONAL paper group Sappi sold its Sappi Novobord operation to the Portuguese Sonae Industria conglomerate for an undisclosed sum on Wednesday. The sale, which is still subject to approval by the Reserve Bank and Competition Commission, forms part of Sappi’s drive to raise R2-billion by disposing of non-core assets. Sappi strategic developments director Robert Hope […]

SWAZILAND’S government has retained the death penalty by hanging for capital crimes in the face of condemnation from human rights groups and neighbouring countries that have abolished the ultimate penalty. This year, the number of death row prisoners has doubled, from six to 12. But, or condemned men and women, all that stands in the […]

GARY Teichmann, former Springbok and Natal skipper, will return to South Africa next week to lead his Welsh side Newport against the Sharks as part of his benefit year celebrations. The celebrations kick off on Saturday when Newoport will play a warm-up match against Teichman’s old club College Rovers. Apart from Teichmann, the side also […]

THE United Cricket Board of South Africa announced on Tuesday that it will back Bangladesh’s bid for Test status. The International Cricket Council will consider the application at their meeting in London next month. Acting UCBSA president Percy Sonn said in a statement: “We decided Bangladesh’s application is consistent with the ICC’s global (cricket development) […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 1.50pm. THE National Union of Mineworkers faces financial ruin if Eskom is successful in suing it for some R6,1-million for damage to property caused by its members during strike action. In a similar case Telkom is claiming R285000 from the Communication Workers’ Union, The Star reports. According to the paper […]

ANGOLAN rebel group Unita said on Tuesday that it has freed five Russian pilots captured in Angola. In a statement released in Lisbon, Unita said the pilots were freed on February 5 in response to appeals from family members and diplomats. Unita said the pilots had been handed over on May 22 to authorities in […]

NELSPRUIT’S city council has threatened to cut the power supply to the police station and prison unless they settle almost over R300000 in unpaid bills. A similar threat for Mpumalanga’s health department to pay R500000 on Friday to prevent the province’s third biggest hospital, Rob Ferreira Hospital, from being plunged into darkness. The National Department […]

MPUMALANGA fired controversial local government director James Nkambule for the fourth time on Monday, without waiting for the outcome of disciplinary action against him. All three earlier attempts to axe Nkambule had to be withdrawn after the government admitted that it failed to follow established labour procedures. The latest dismissal was announced in a terse […]

THE environmental affairs department has spent more than R500000 on investigating allegations that the process of allocating fishing quotas was riddled with corruption, but had not uncovered any material evidence implicating its officials. The probe’s other findings were still being evaluated, but in the interim, the department’s marine inspectorate was upgraded, Environmental Affairs Minister Valli […]

AJAX Cape Town are celebrating their successful debut season in the PSL by signing a Brazilian player and putting seven players on the transfer list. Ajax finished a solid fourth on the Premier Soccer League log and look to be upward-bound next season after securing the services of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Gomes of Aracatuba. The […]