The South African government came under pressure on Monday to deal with the aftermath of deadly anti-foreigner violence that has displaced an estimated 35Â 000 people. As thousands headed for the borders, a growing humanitarian crisis was developing domestically with crowds of foreigners sheltering at police stations.
Murder accused Andrew Jordaan on Monday admitted in the Pretoria High Court he smoked dagga and had a large porn collection, but denied he had a sexual interest in little girls, or that he had raped and murdered seven-year-old Sheldean Human. Jordaan took the stand after the state closed its case against him on Monday.
South African furniture retailer JD Group said on Monday profit attributable to shareholders fell to R138-million in the six months to end-February due to tighter consumer spending. The group said its diluted headline earnings dropped 45% to 221 cents per share in the same period.
Phillip Tucker, ex-husband of former Miss World Anneline Kriel, was found dead in his swimming pool at his Sandhurst home on Monday morning, Netcare 911 said. Spokesperson Mark Stokoe said it appeared that Tucker (59) had fallen from the roof or ladder while trying to adjust his TV aerial during the early hours of the morning.
Members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in Ekurhuleni are to down tools over salaries and worker rights. ”Samwu members in Ekurhuleni are embarking on a strike from tomorrow [Tuesday] onwards,” said union spokesperson Koena Ramotlou in a statement issued on Monday.
The National Association of Democratic Lawyers called on the government on Monday to appoint a commission of inquiry into the xenophobic violence and offer financial relief to victims. The organisation added that the state should ”offer structural, financial, psychological and any other appropriate relief to all the victims of this violence”.
Telkom’s corporate and global customers have been made aware of a new refund scam which is currently doing the rounds, the listed telecoms giant said on Monday. The modus operandi involved the criminals pretending to be Reuben September, Telkom’s CEO.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) started a three-day meeting on Monday to elect an acting president, following the axing of Willy Madisha over a missing donation scandal in February. S’dumo Dlamini, first vice-president of Cosatu, is expected to be elected as the acting president.
A tearful victim of the Fidentia collapse on Monday pleaded with a Cape High Court judge for assistance for her crippled son — and received some, thanks to a generous lawyer. The emotional outburst came during what was expected to be a routine postponement of the bid for final sequestration of former Fidentia boss J Arthur Brown.
The Democratic Alliance on Sunday accused Parliament’s questions office of ”obstructing” the party’s parliamentary questions probing corruption. The questions office had disqualified two written questions on the grounds that they were too vague in terms of the National Assembly’s guide to procedure.
The government should appoint a commission of inquiry to probe the xenophobic attacks that have claimed at least 50 lives and left thousands of people homeless, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) said on Sunday. UDM president Bantu Holomisa said there was a need for a transparent inquiry that would analyse the attacks and remove suspicions that they were ”deliberate and orchestrated”.
President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday called a wave of deadly attacks on migrants an ”absolute disgrace” and said his government would take all measures to bring those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, African National Congress president Jacob Zuma said all people in South Africa should be tolerant of one another.
A 10-year-old girl was in a critical condition and another child was severely injured after a helicopter crashed at the Polokwane Civil Airport on Saturday afternoon, Netcare 911 said. Spokesperson Mark Stokoe said the pilot and an adult passenger sustained minor injuries and suffered about 20% burns over their bodies.
There is a free concert in Johannesburg on Sunday. It is Africa Day and leading artists from across the continent will perform live.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, already under fire for perceived policy failings that caused an anti-immigrant backlash in his country, now faces questions about his handling of the crisis. The head of state is yet to visit the worst affected areas of Johannesburg after two weeks of violence against foreigners.
It was going to take a special goal to win Nedbank Cup and the R6-million winner’s cheque. And it was a goal of sheer brilliance from Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lerato Chabangu two minutes from time that earned the Brazilians a hard fought and largely undeserved 1-0 win over the gallant Mpumalanga Black Aces.
A motorcyclist punched a KwaZulu-Natal VIP driver on Saturday afternoon after the driver had crashed into the back of another car, seriously injuring its occupant. KwaZulu-Natal transport spokesperson Rajen Chinaboo said road traffic inspectorate officials at the scene reported that there ”had been some sort of altercation”.
Thousands of people marched through Johannesburg on Saturday, calling for an end to the violence that has killed at least 50 African migrants and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. People in Hillbrow, home to many African immigrants, cheered the march, which was organised by churches and labour unions.
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) announced on Friday it had lifted its restriction on the number of overseas-based players eligible to play for the Springboks. In a statement, Saru said that new Springboks coach Peter de Villiers coach would now be able to pick as many foreign-based players as he liked.
South African Hockey Association (Saha) president Dave Carr will request an urgent meeting with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) to clarify the SA men’s team selection for the Beijing Olympics. This comes in the wake of the sports portfolio committee, chaired by Butana Komphela, insisting there be a 50-50 race representation.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was on Saturday to return home to begin campaigning ahead of a presidential run-off election. ”Mr Tsvangirai is looking forward to going back. He has achieved what he wanted to achieve with his regional diplomacy,” his spokesperson said late on Friday.
South African troops have killed a man in a Johannesburg township during operations to quell anti-immigrant violence, the army said on Saturday, as they deployed on the streets for the first time since apartheid. At least 43 have been killed, more than 500 arrested and 17Â 000 displaced.
South Africa’s government admitted on Friday it was aware of the potential of anti-immigrant sentiment to explode into violence. ”Of course we were aware there was something brewing. It is one thing to know there is a social problem and another thing to know when that outburst will occur,” said Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils.
The question of whether the government or the public should finance Eskom dominated the first day of hearings on Friday on the utility’s proposed 53% tariff increase. Eskom’s non-executive chairperson Valli Moosa opened the debate at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa public hearings, saying fiscal injections from government were needed.
George Mhanda came to Johannesburg to feed his family, struggling to eat under Robert Mugabe’s derelict rule. The Zimbabwean mechanic found a job in a local garage and a room in a small house in Tembisa township, and sent cash home every month.
If this is the autumn of Trevor Manuel’s political career, he has a strange way of showing it. This week he laid another plank in what is taking shape as a platform for economic reform to boost growth, increase employment levels — and perhaps forestall the kind of violence that has racked Gauteng townships this week.
South Africa’s security chief on Friday accused rightwingers linked to the former apartheid government of fanning xenophobic violence that has spread to Cape Town, the second largest city and tourist centre. At least 42 people have been killed and thousands driven from their homes in 12 days of attacks.
The government and Eskom were criticised for the present energy crisis at Friday’s National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) hearings into the power utility’s request for a proposed 53% tariff increase. Eskom chairperson Valli Moosa and CEO Jacob Maroga said the increase was needed as the system was tight and the reserve margin was very low.
City Press has successfully appealed against a press ombudsman finding over the accuracy and fairness of a report on African National Congress president Jacob Zuma, the Press Council Appeals Panel said on Friday. The article, headlined ”Cracks in Zuma’s NEC”, reported that Zuma became angry at a national executive committee [NEC] meeting on January 8.
Extreme xenophobic violence has left thousands of people in Johannesburg homeless, their houses demolished and burned. The <i>Mail & Guardian</i> speaks to a Congolese father who returns to his family home, which was plundered by an angry mob just more than a week ago.
The first wind farm in South Africa, which produces electricity from wind power, was switched on by Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica in Darling in the Western Cape on Friday, the Central Energy Fund said. The R75-million project is the first ”green energy” initiative in the country to produce electricity from wind power on a commercial basis.
Award-winning gospel star Vuyo Mokoena has died, his record company, Big Fish Music, confirmed on Friday. According to Big Fish Music, Mokoena died at 5.30am on Friday. Mokoena was admitted to hospital after experiencing blinding headaches. Tests subsequently revealed that he had developed a brain tumour.