Midrand

The African National Congress (ANC) said on Friday it hoped to reach consensus this week on how to elect its next leader, a decision that could rule out national President Thabo Mbeki. ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe told a news conference delegates were debating a number of non-binding proposals on how to resolve the leadership debate.

Deputies and experts attending the Pan African Parliament on Monday called for Western countries to help reverse the environmental damage to the continent that they had helped create. "This problem is generated by countries in the West," said the African Union Commission’s rural development and agriculture commission director Babagana Ahmadu.

The African Union announced on Monday it would send an extra 8 000 peacekeepers to Somalia but said dialogue remained the only solution to the bloody conflict in that country. "The crisis in that country has so far proved intractable. The AU has decided to send 8 000 troops immediately to assist peacekeeping efforts," AU chairperson John Kufuor said.

The criminal justice system must revolve around the victims of crime, said National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli said on Wednesday. ”We want to change our criminal justice system. ”We want to ensure justice for the victims of crime by prosecuting without fear, favour or prejudice and by working with our partners and the public to solve and prevent crime,” Pikoli said.