A director of the liquidated Bathong travel agency, David Phokeng, was arrested on Monday in a bid to make him co-operate with the liquidation inquiry. Bellville magistrate Mannie van Reenen ordered the arrest after the attorney acting for the liquidators, Bernhard Kurz, complained that Phokeng regarded the hearings as a joke.
Jurors began a third day of deliberations on Monday in the fraud trial of former Enron chief executives Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay, after a weekend break. The deliberations, in what is seen as the biggest corporate fraud trial in recent years, could lead to big prison terms for Skilling (52), who faces 28 counts of fraud and conspiracy, and Lay (64).
An internet-based survey conducted by South Africa’s Triangle Project in April has revealed that most of the respondents felt that the mass media contribute to prejudice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. You and Huisgenoot magazines were named as the most prejudiced towards the gay community.
President Thabo Mbeki announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday, following the death earlier this month of minister of public works Stella Sigcau. Her post will now be filled by Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza. Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy Lulama Xingwana will become Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs.
Wallabies winger Wendell Sailor on Monday requested that the ”B” sample of his drug test be analysed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority in the hope the findings will clear his name. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said the controversial NSW Waratahs winger had informed them of his decision, which had a deadline of late on Monday.
About 80 families in Bulawayo lost electrical appliances after a freak surge of electricity was pumped into their homes, Harare’s Herald newspaper reported on Monday. ”The voltage was just too high because my stove turned red hot in a few seconds,” said resident Paulos Ncube, whose television, radio and stove were damaged.
Deutsche Boerse, operator of the German stock exchange, refused on Monday to budge on the terms of its offer to merge with Euronext, indicating it would not increase its bid or be drawn into a bidding battle with the New York Stock Exchange for the pan-European rival.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions-led strike on Thursday was a powerful statement by workers, the South African Communist Party said on Sunday. Party secretary general Blade Nzimande said the strike to highlight the plight of the working class and poor was very well supported.
Zimbabwe’s biggest labour federation on Saturday threatened to call massive demonstrations against the government over poor salaries and worsening living conditions for workers in the country. Meanwhile, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change also said it will push ahead with plans for anti-government protests.
The final report of the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into the mandate and location of the Scorpions was handed to President Thabo Mbeki on Monday. Mbeki appointed the commission, headed by Judge Sisi Khampepe, last year to probe the rationale for establishing the Scorpions and placing it under the control of the National Prosecuting Authority.