The African National Congress (ANC) is establishing transition teams to ensure a smooth transfer of power following next year’s election, ANC treasurer Mathews Phosa said on Tuesday. ”We have a transition team to make sure there is a seamless, stable transition between this national executive committee and the government,” Phosa said.
Wits coach Roger de Sa is hoping to put the cherry on top of a successful season when the Students host improved Platinum Stars at Milpark on Wednesday night (8pm). De Sa has done a fantastic job in rebuilding the side since the start of the Absa Premiership season for little cost.
Resource counters were buoyed by higher commodity prices on Tuesday, which continued to keep the JSE firm by midday trade. By 11.56am, the JSE’s broader all-share index had lifted 0,64%. The platinum-mining index advanced 2,41%, resources collected 1,26% and the gold-mining index was up 0,55%.
South Africa would be wise to increase household savings in the current economic climate, helping to ease pressure on financing of the current-account deficit, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said on Tuesday. Manuel said that the country’s savings rate was not adequate at just under 14% of gross domestic product.
Africa’s biggest media group Naspers said on Tuesday it had entered into a conditional agreement to sell its Greek and Cypriot pay-TV unit NetMed to Greek telecoms company Forthnet. South Africa-based Naspers said the agreement put an enterprise value on NetMed of -million.
While obviously disappointed with his own performance in this year’s Masters golf tournament at Augusta, Ernie Els says it was a great week for Trevor Immelman and for South African golf. Congratulating Immelman on his first Major victory, Els said he has known the new champion since he was a boy and watched him develop as a player.
Zimbabwe is in a state of crisis, the African National Congress (ANC) national working committee said on Monday. ”The ANC regards [the ruling] Zanu-PF as an ally. However, it is concerned with the state of crisis that Zimbabwe is in and perceives this as negative for the entire Southern African Development Community region,” said spokesperson Jesse Duarte.
Two 19th-century rhino horns stolen from a South African museum could be deadly if sold as a popular aphrodisiac because they are drenched in poison, a museum official said on Monday. The ”priceless” horns were snatched from a display at the historic mammal gallery in Cape Town on Saturday evening, said Jatti Bredekamp, chief executive of Iziko Museums.
Erasmus commission chairperson Judge Nathan Erasmus on Monday dismissed an application by the City of Cape Town for the commission’s suspension. The commission was set up by Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool last year to probe the city’s own investigation of renegade councillor Badih Chaaban.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) warned on Monday of riots as it launched a protest campaign against soaring food prices. Rice prices on world markets have climbed about 75% in just two months, and the cost of wheat has rocketed by 120% in the past year. The price of maize has more than doubled since the beginning of 2006.
Murder accused Najwa Petersen not only hired hit men to kill her husband, Taliep, she even arranged to let them into the family home to do the deed, the Cape High Court heard on Monday. Fahiem Hendricks, who is in witness protection, was testifying in the trial of Najwa and three men charged with Taliep’s execution-style shooting.
The fate of the Scorpions will be discussed at a meeting between African National Congress (ANC) general secretary Gwede Mantashe and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille, the DA said on Monday. The opposition leader called for a meeting with the ANC after a decision was taken to ”dissolve” the Scorpions and incorporate them into the police.
The deadline for applicants to apply for presidential pardons for politically motivated offences has been extended until May 31, pardon committee chairperson Tertius Delport said on Monday. ”Some time ago we knew that we were going to run out of time for people to put in applications.”
Worldwide urban populations are expected to double within 10 to 15 years, presenting threats and opportunities, city planners said at the Planning Africa conference on Monday. Urban planners from 26 commonwealth countries met in Sandton to debate three global challenges facing all cities — urbanisation, poverty and climate change.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) says it is to take up the issue of racial transformation in cricket following the Proteas’ loss to India last week. ”The white wonder boys are not as invincible as they would have us believe,” the federation said in a statement issued from its Western Cape office.
Armed robbers broke into the Johannesburg High Court on Sunday night and took documents relating to what is allegedly the biggest bank cash heist in the country, director of public prosecutions Charin de Beer said on Monday. The robbers escaped after being involved in a shoot-out with Johannesburg metro police.
Armed robbers raided the Johannesburg High Court and carted away documents, including those dealing with high-profile organised crimes, an official said on Monday. ”The armed robbers broke into the high court at about 10pm on Sunday, overpowered the security guards and tied them up,” Johannesburg director of public prosecutions Charin de Beer said.
Two South African technicians arrested two weeks ago under Zimbabwe’s laws relating to the media and defeating the course of justice were acquitted and freed on Monday, a colleague said. ”We heard a few minutes ago — they were acquitted on all charges,” said Abdulhak Gardee, financial director of their employer, GlobeCast Africa.
The coaches of South Africa’s only two sides that still have a chance of making the Super 14 semifinals were upbeat for totally contrasting reasons after their teams’ wins over the weekend. While Sharks coach Dick Muir thought his charges were at last starting to put things together at the back, Rassie Erasmus was impressed with his Stormers forwards.
Skielik murder accused Johan Nel was declared mentally fit to stand trial in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The case was postponed to July 14. Nel (18), who was charged with four counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder, was referred for psychiatric observation during his last appearance in February.
A witness on Monday told the Cape High court that murder accused Najwa Petersen asked him to find someone to carry out a ”hit”. Fahiem Hendricks, who is in witness protection, was testifying in the trial of Petersen and three alleged hit men who are charged with the murder of her entertainer husband, Taliep.
Olympic swimmer Roland Schoeman lost more than R40 000 in a travel-agency scam, Jacaranda radio said on Monday. Jacarandafm.com’s Buzz said Roland’s mother, Geraldine Schoeman, had lost the money after she booked airline tickets through an agency that turned out to be fraudulent.
World markets were dampened by negative earnings reports from the United States on Monday, causing the JSE to pull back sharply. By midday, the JSE’s broader all-share index had fallen 1,48%. The banking index pulled back 2,51% and financials retreated 1,41%.
Gospel singer Solly Moholo performed outside the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning as the public started to gather for the trial of murder accused Johan Nel. Moholo sang Umshini Wami, which is popularly known as African National Congress president Jacob Zuma’s trademark song.
The bodies of two teenagers were found on top of a grave in the Azalea Cemetery in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg police said on Sunday. Inspector Joey Jeevan said the girls — believed to be aged 16 and 17 — were found at about 10am on Saturday. They had been shot and stabbed several times in the head and body, she said.
Five men robbed the Scottsville KFC fast-food outlet in KwaZulu-Natal just after the power was scheduled to be turned off, Midlands police said on Sunday. It is alleged the men entered the premises on Friday at about 7.30pm under the pretence of being customers, said Inspector Joey Jeevan.
Parliamentarians cannot remain silent about Zimbabwe, a case of ”democracy gone wrong”, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said in Cape Town on Sunday at the opening of the 118th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting. In his speech, President Thabo Mbeki congratulated the IPU for its stance on gender equality in government.
The informal motor mechanic industry is big in most townships and it comprises specialists in different mechanical areas. These include panelbeaters, electricians, welders, gearbox fitters, engineers, wheel alignment and diff adjusters. Most of these specialists operate on street corners and in backyards and employ several helpers each.
Engineers in South Africa are an endangered species. Latest labour department figures show that the skills shortage in the industry had surpassed the 10 000 mark by the end of last year. South African Women in Engineering aims to turn things around and has set their sights on attracting and keeping women in the profession.
In the Southern African Development Community about 45% of the population lives in extreme poverty. For many poor people in the region informal trade is the only way to sustain themselves and their families. Governments in the region, however, ignore this parallel economy, hampering their citizens’ attempts to survive, say experts.
The Eagles saved their best for last when they trounced the Pumas 50-12 in a Vodacom Cup rugby match at George on Saturday. The match was only of academic value and neither side qualified for the cup play-offs. The Eagles scored eight tries to the two of the Pumas.
The unpredictable Moroka Swallows were flying high after delivering a crushing blow to Ajax Cape Town’s Premier Soccer League title aspirations with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory on Sunday. In other matches, Sundowns beat Chiefs 1-0; Celtic and Leopards drew 2-2; and AmaZulu and Platinum Stars drew 0-0.