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/ 24 October 2007

Busa: ANC succession no threat to economy

The African National Congress (ANC) succession debate does not pose a significant threat to the creditworthiness of rand-denominated debt, Business Unity South Africa (Busa) said on Wednesday. ”We do not expect significant shift in the ANC policy, regardless of the outcome of the conference,” Busa CEO Jerry Vilakazi said.

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/ 24 October 2007

JSE down, banks dip on CPI data

The JSE remained in negative territory at midday on Wednesday, as banks took a dip on the release of discouraging CPI data and resources were lower on a firmer rand. At 11.59am, the all-share index was 0,25% lower, as resources dipped 0,35%. However, the gold and platinum mining indices advanced 0,28% and 0,35% respectively.

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/ 24 October 2007

Court clerk held for 178 counts of fraud

A Pietermaritzburg court clerk was arrested after being linked to 178 counts of theft and fraud, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Wednesday. Spokesperson Inspector Joey Jeevan said a team arrested the 38-year-old woman at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, after months of intensive investigations.

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/ 23 October 2007

Jo’burg mayor launches new bus system

Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo on Tuesday launched the Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT), which is aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Johannesburg. Masondo said the BRT, also known as Rea Vaya, would introduce a network of buses travelling along dedicated bus ways with bus stations situated every 500m.

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/ 23 October 2007

PetroSA-Imvume court file ‘not mislaid’

The Johannesburg High Court has not mislaid the file in the matter between PetroSA and Imvume Management, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said on Tuesday. ”The file is in fact in the possession of the registrar of the filing section of the Johannesburg High Court …,” department spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said in a statement.

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/ 23 October 2007

Boycott at KZN legislature after chair-throwing

The Inkatha Freedom Party and the Democratic Alliance on Tuesday boycotted a sitting of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) legislature in Vryheid. The boycott follows an incident on Monday when chairs were thrown during the sitting of the legislature, which is being held as part of the KwaZulu-Natal government’s policy of ”taking the government to the people”.

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/ 23 October 2007

Great debate about Manto records

Under no circumstances should a patient’s medical records be disclosed unless he or she gives personal consent, a seminar hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission was told on Tuesday. A panel was discussing the implications of articles published by the Sunday Times about Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.

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/ 23 October 2007

All charges against Zille dropped

All charges brought against Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille for her participation in protest marches have been dropped, the Western Cape director of public prosecutions said on Tuesday. Zille, who is also mayor of Cape Town, was charged in terms of the Regulation of Gatherings Act.

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/ 23 October 2007

Green Scorpions crack down on ArcelorMittal

The Green Scorpions have shut down ArcelorMittal operations at its Vaal waste site over its dumping of hazardous waste and air and water pollution, it was announced on Tuesday. The move followed numerous ”futile attempts” at getting the steel company to clean up its act, Gauteng’s department of agriculture, conservation and environment said in a statement.

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/ 23 October 2007

Cosatu jumps into ANC T-shirt fray

African National Congress (ANC) chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota is being one-sided in calling for a clampdown on T-shirts showing support for ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma while defending T-shirts bearing President Thabo Mbeki’s image, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Tuesday.

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/ 23 October 2007

Train vandals threaten KZN rail service

Metrorail may suspend its KwaZulu-Natal train services if rampant train vandalism and assaults on staff members continue unchecked, said Metrorail regional manager Sisa Mtwa at a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday. The worst-affected areas are KwaMashu and Umlazi — an area that carries 80% of Metrorail’s passengers.

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/ 23 October 2007

End in sight at Lotz murder trial

The trial of actuary Fred van der Vyver, accused of murdering his student girlfriend Inge Lotz, appears to be drawing to a close. Prosecutor Carine Theunissen told the Cape High Court on Tuesday she would finish her cross-examination of Van der Vyver on Wednesday morning.

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/ 23 October 2007

Survey: SA investors confident of returns

South African investors remain confident about one-year returns on the local equity market despite recent increases in interest rates and higher fuel and food prices, a new survey showed on Tuesday. The inaugural investor confidence index showed investors believed Johannesburg stocks would rise steadily in the short term.

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/ 23 October 2007

Fifth Rattray murder suspect arrested

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a fifth suspect for the murder of historian David Rattray. Police spokesperson Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said on Tuesday he could confirm that a fifth suspect had been arrested and was expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday.

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/ 23 October 2007

Manto’s records under the spotlight

Under no circumstances should a patient’s medical records be disclosed unless he or she gives personal consent, a seminar hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission was told on Tuesday. Chairperson of the South African Medical Association Dr Kgosi Letlape said medical records should not be disclosed without consent.

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/ 23 October 2007

Lucky Dube fans pour hearts out on blog

After the death of South African reggae legend Lucky Dube last week in an apparent hijacking attempt in Johannesburg, much was said about the singer’s worldwide appeal — and a flood of responses to a blog on the <i>Mail & Guardian Online</i>’s <i>Thought Leader</i> website was further proof of his star quality.

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/ 23 October 2007

HSRC reports highest financial turnover

Partly due to an increased allocation from the government, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has achieved the highest financial turnover, R247,8-million, in its history, the council’s CEO said on Tuesday. Dr Olive Shisana was addressing the launch of the HSRC’s 2006/07 Annual Report in Pretoria.