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/ 6 February 2008

Cross-country runners ready for Ethiopia

South Africa’s preparation for the World Cross-Country Championships enters a crucial stage when some of the country’s leading athletes compete at the 34th Janmeda International Cross-Country Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday. ”This race is a brilliant test run,” said Boy Soke, who hails from the Free State.

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/ 4 February 2008

Gauteng municipalities commit to power savings

Gauteng municipalities are switching off their lights to help prevent load-shedding. All 14 municipalities in the province on Monday committed themselves to a 10% reduction in electricity use, and to improve communication with residents and businesses on when and how long they will be affected by load-shedding.

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/ 3 February 2008

Downs, Birds edge home in Atteridgeville

In the wake of much bravado preceding what was termed the ”Gauteng Challenge”, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows edged home on penalty kicks against Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United respectively in what were no more than gloried friendlies at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

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/ 2 February 2008

Three dead in Carnival City collapse

Emergency personnel were on Saturday still searching for survivors after part of the Carnival City shopping complex near Brakpan on the East Rand in Gauteng partially collapsed into a parking area, killing three people. Netcare 911 spokesperson Mark Stokoe said an exterior wall of the mall had collapsed on to a car.

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/ 29 January 2008

ANC calls on all South Africans to save power

It is critical that South Africans respond to the energy-saving proposals made by the government for industrial, commercial and residential consumers, the African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday. ”The success of the programme taken by the government … depends on the contribution of all South Africans and sectors,” the ANC said.

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/ 29 January 2008

My journey to the stars

Every year the festival season becomes longer and more exotic. That summer spell when young people gather in fields to listen to music and fall over, the result of either inebriation or inappropriate footwear, used to involve simply packing a tent and heading for a farmer’s field. Today you can build your summer around a trip to Benicassim in Spain, Burning Man in Nevada or Exit in Serbia.

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/ 25 January 2008

Mbanjwa’s river of dreams

A sponsored Opel Corsa van with ”Michael Mbanjwa, Dusi Gold Medallist” printed on the sides pulls up at Germiston Lake on Gauteng’s East Rand. As the driver’s door opens, out jumps Mbanjwa (24), who made history last weekend when he became the first black African to win the Hansa Powerade Dusi Canoe Marathon.

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/ 23 January 2008

Moves afoot to revise expropriation law

The Department of Public Works has started on the business of revising the laws on expropriation, which became a matter of urgency following the African National Congress national conference last month. An announcement from the department on Wednesday said that it will start the ball rolling with a national workshop to be held in Gauteng next month.

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/ 22 January 2008

Top Scorpion arrested for drunk driving

A top Scorpions investigator is expected to appear in court on Wednesday morning on charges relating to driving under the influence of alcohol, Talk Radio 702 reported on Tuesday. Senior Scorpion Ivor Powell was apparently arrested with fugitive gang boss Igshaan Davids in Woodstock, on Tuesday evening.

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/ 22 January 2008

Top Scorpions sleuth out on bail

Scorpions investigator Ivor Powell was granted R1 000 bail in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. His case was remanded to April 29 pending the outcome of his blood alcohol tests. He was arrested on Tuesday night, apparently in the company of alleged Americans gang boss Igshaan Davids.

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/ 22 January 2008

SA HIV vaccines on brink of human testing

Researchers from the University of Cape Town have developed two test HIV vaccines — the first wholly South African-developed products to enter the human clinical-trials phase, the Herald Online reported on Tuesday. The vaccines are just months away from being assessed in human clinical trials, the report said.

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/ 21 January 2008

Imperial destroys heritage site

Imperial Holdings sacked the head of its property division, John Carstens, on Wednesday, and the company faces legal action after demolishing a heritage site. The Rand Steam Laundries was demolished last weekend, in apparent contravention of a stop order issued by the provincial heritage authority. Nthathise Modingoane, a spokes­person for the council, confirmed that the city has laid a charge and is briefing its attorneys on the matter.

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/ 20 January 2008

Mahomed was an architect of the UDF

It is no accident that a meeting held to commemorate the life of Yunus Mahomed was attended by scores of luminaries from the African National Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Current and former Cabinet ministers paid tribute to their comrade, who died of a heart attack on January 6.

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/ 19 January 2008

NPA supports withdrawal of Nel charges

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has come out in support of the chief prosecutor of Pretoria’s decision to withdraw charges against advocate Gerrie Nel, head of the Scorpions in Gauteng, it said on Friday. The Pretoria Regional Court this week withdrew charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice against Nel.

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/ 17 January 2008

DA sends ‘wish list’ to Gauteng premier

A ”wish list” of proposals that could improve service delivery has been sent to the Gauteng premier, the Democratic Alliance said on Thursday. Spokesperson and member of the provincial legislature Jack Bloom compiled the list. It has been sent to Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, and includes the actions Bloom believes would improve service delivery.

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/ 17 January 2008

Home builders to feel the heat

If the South African Reserve Bank needs further evidence of the dampening effect of higher rates on real economic activity, recent building data has been just that, according to independent economic analysts. A major challenge facing the government is also the extreme escalation in building costs.

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/ 15 January 2008

DA: Mbeki needs to give explanation over Pikoli saga

President Thabo Mbeki should explain to Parliament why he is reluctant to reinstate suspended National Prosecution Authority head Vusi Pikoli, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday. ”President Mbeki needs to clarify his position on the DA’s call for him to brief Parliament on his refusal to review his decision to suspend advocate Vusi Pikoli,” the DA said.

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/ 15 January 2008

ANC takes issue with deputy chief justice

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) on Tuesday called on Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke to apologise for remarks he made about the party at his birthday celebrations. This comes shortly after an ANC statement saying that Moseneke’s comments showed disdain for delegates at the ANC national conference in December.

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/ 14 January 2008

Charges against Gerrie Nel withdrawn

Charges against Gerrie Nel, the head of the Directorate of Special Operations, or the Scorpions, in Gauteng, were withdrawn in the Pretoria Regional Court on Monday. ”After careful consideration of the evidence in the docket, the decision was made to withdraw the charges,” chief prosecutor Matric Lupondo said during Nel’s brief appearance.

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/ 12 January 2008

Parties call for Selebi’s head

Opposition parties have called for the immediate suspension of police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, in light of his failure to prevent the National Prosecuting Authority from prosecuting him. Selebi’s urgent application was denied in the Pretoria High Court on Thursday. Judge Nico Coetzee said the application bore no merit and it was struck off the roll.