Durban

The head of Southern African Catholics says he and other church leaders have told President Thabo Mbeki to impose sanctions against President Robert Mugabe’s government but the South African leader will not do it because he lacks the political will.

The rural community of Ndwedwe, north of Durban, has no electricity, running water and tarred roads, says an area headman. The community, which mainly lives in mud rondavels, often enquires about the slow pace of delivery, but they are told there is no money. ”Tell me one reason why I should vote,” says the headman.

Hundreds of squatters took to the streets of Durban over poor housing on Monday after the Durban High Court overruled a council decision not to allow the protest. Police stopped the marchers earlier in the day, claiming their action was illegal. However, they were allowed to proceed to the Durban City Hall.

Golden Arrows beat struggling Tembisa Classic 2-1 in a Premier Soccer League match played at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night. Arrows’ goals came from Alton Meiring and Papi Zothwane, while Classic had to rely on former Bafana Bafana striker Bradley August.

The South African women’s hockey team booked their place in Saturday’s final of the four-nation Spar Cup after beating Scotland 2-1 in Durban on Wednesday night. The home side didn’t have an easy time of it, though, and had to come back from a 1-0 deficit.

Springbok lock AJ Venter was at his enthusiastic best in Durban on Friday night when he led a rampaging Sharks side (a Raggies side on the night) to a 14-try romp against the Leopards who were savaged to the extent of 70-5. Furthermore, the Sharks’ second side (the Great Whites) got a five-to-two try account against the Leopards in a 25-10 win.

The unexpected exit with a damaged boat of overnight leaders Len Jenkins and Michael Mbanjwa on Friday turned the second day of the Hansa Powerade Dusi Canoe Marathon on its head. Their withdrawal left the door open for defending champions Hank McGregor and Martin Dreyer to consolidate their lead going into the final-day run.

Organisers of the Hansa Powerade Dusi are working long days and nights to ensure that they are ready for the 55th running of the event next week. ”Close on 2 000 paddlers have already entered and we expect more between now and the race,” said Cameron Mackenzie, chairperson of the organisers.

Police used rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of disgruntled Sydenham residents, and arrested 45 of them for marching illegally on Monday, Durban police said. Angry residents marched on the mayor’s office to hand over a memorandum that cited dissatisfaction over housing and the alleged removal of basic services from shack dwellers.

South Africa’s Ryk Neethling emerged as the star of the first leg of the Fina World Cup series in Durban on Sunday. Neethling claimed two more golds to take his total for the last three days to six golds out of six races contested. On Saturday he added the 50m butterfly (23,33) and the 200m freestyle (1:44,47) titles to his haul.

Ryk Neethling was once again a regular visitor to the podium on the first day of the Fina Swimming World Cup in Durban on Friday. Last year saw the Olympic gold medallist picking up a total of 21 World Cup medals in the eight-leg series and taking the overall title. This year, it seems, will be no different.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris wreaked havoc with the Dolphins’ batsmen after lunch on the second day of the four-day Supersport Series cricket match at Kingsmead on Friday and earned the Titans an unexpected lead of 48 runs before bad light again caused an early stoppage.

A date for the corruption trial of dismissed deputy president Jacob Zuma will formally be set at his appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. Police frisked supporters as they streamed to the court on Friday evening, and put the crowd inside their barriers at more than 2 000 by 11pm. More were gathered outside.