No image available
/ 14 September 2007

June 16 victim Poppy Buthelezi dies

Poppy Buthelezi, who was shot by police during the 1976 Soweto uprising died this week. She was ubuntu personified, a family friend said on Friday. Buthelezi (48), who had been confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of her life after she was shot in the back in the 1976 uprising, died on Thursday, said Cecil Moeng, Buthelezi’s spokesperson.

No image available
/ 14 September 2007

Zille: Cops conducting a smear campaign

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Cape Town mayor Helen Zille has accused the police and Western Cape provincial minister of community safety Leonard Ramatlakane of trying to justify their actions by disseminating misinformation and conducting smear campaigns. ”Those who will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” she said in her weekly online newsletter on Friday.

No image available
/ 14 September 2007

DTI concerned over Sasol’s BEE deal

South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Friday that it was concerned that the proposed Employee Share Ownership Scheme (ESOP) proposed under Sasol’s R17,9-billion black economic empowerment (BEE) deal "falls short of the level of empowerment envisioned in the Codes [of Good Practice]".

No image available
/ 14 September 2007

Central bank sees CPIX back to target

South African inflation is expected to return to its target range in the second half of 2008, the country’s central bank said on Friday. The South African Reserve Bank’s forecast was more hawkish than previous predictions. After its August monetary policy meeting, it expected inflation to come back to the target band in the second quarter of 2008.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Host cities to kick off 2010 countdown

The eight 2010 Soccer World Cup host cities will hold celebrations to mark the beginning of the 1 000-day countdown to the event, the City of Tshwane said on Thursday. President Thabo Mbeki is expected to make an address at celebrations taking place at the Union Buildings on Friday — which marks exactly 1 000 days until the soccer spectacle kicks off.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Pietersen sets up England win

Kevin Pietersen lashed 79 off 37 balls as England beat giant-killers Zimbabwe in a Twenty20 World Championship match at Newlands on Thursday. England won by 50 runs as they sent Zimbabwe crashing back to earth after their shock five-wicket win over tournament favourites Australia at the same ground on Wednesday.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Transnet to build Durban-Jo’burg pipeline

Transnet Pipelines has been given the go-ahead to construct a petroleum pipeline from Durban to Gauteng, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) said on Thursday. Expected to cost R11-billion to build, it will carry petrol and diesel and is expected to come into use in the third quarter of 2010, said spokesperson Wanda Langenhoven.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

ANC and ID in floor-crossing spat

The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape has accused the Independent Democrats (ID) of attempting to lure ANC councillors to cross the floor with job offers. ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha told a media briefing on Thursday the ANC was in possession of a letter in this regard, signed by ID provincial chairperson Sakkie Jenner.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Cosatu drops proposed boycott of Springbok gear

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has dropped an appeal to rugby fans to boycott shirts supporting the Springboks after the manufacturers agreed that most will in future be made locally, not imported. The move comes during the Rugby World Cup tournament in France. The Springboks, one of the favourites to lift the trophy, take on Cup holders England on Friday.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Mbeki to lead SA delegation to UN

President Thabo Mbeki will lead the South African delegation to the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, which starts in New York next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday Speaking in Pretoria, ambassador George Nene, head of the multilateral section in the department, said several issues would be discussed.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

De Beers sells underground Kimberley operations

The world’s biggest diamond mining group, De Beers, has agreed to sell its loss-making Kimberley underground mines to Petra Diamonds and its black partners, De Beers said on Thursday. De Beers said in a statement details of the transaction, including the financial settlement and output figures for the underground mine, would be given at a media briefing on Friday.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Leremi death casts pall over Supa8 final

Expect a touch of sadness at Saturday night’s SAA Supa8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at King’s Park Stadium in Durban — likely to be a highly charged, electric occasion. The close association both clubs had with late Sundowns player Gift Leremi will account for the lingering pall.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Public Protector to probe deputy minister

The Public Protector is to conduct a preliminary investigation into allegations of improper conduct against Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba. Gigaba had been informed of this by letter, the Public Protector’s office said on Thursday. It said this ”own initiative investigation” would seek to determine the merits of the allegations against Gigaba.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

PSL back in action after world break

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) gets going this Sunday after the major leagues of the world came to a halt for international friendlies and continental qualifying games. On Sunday, five games will be played around the country. The pick of the bunch is SuperSport United hosting Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Datatec shares dip by almost 8%

Shares in information and communications technology group Datatec dipped by almost 8% on Thursday after the company issued a pre-close statement for the six months ended August. The group said its trading during the first half of the financial year had been in line with the board’s expectations, with one exception

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Life behind bars for Pennington rapists

Three men convicted of raping three Durban women at a beach house on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast were on Thursday sentenced to five life sentences each in the Scottburgh High Court. Sithembiso Shelembe (23), Mthokozisi Mbambo (30) and Wonder Mchunu (27) will only be considered for parole after 25 years.

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

JSE drifts sideways, seen directionless

The JSE drifted sideways during the course of the morning on Thursday in directionless trade as it waited to see how Wall Street opened. At 11.59am, the all-share index added 0,18%, with resources up 0,59%, the platinum mining index flat (+0,03%) and the gold-mining index little changed (-0,04%).

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

Curator finds missing Fidentia millions

The Cape High Court-appointed curators of the Fidentia Group have found money stolen from investors who entrusted their savings to companies in the organisation. Co-curator George Papadakis said: ”We know where every cent is and who has got it. Some have offered to repay; others are choosing to fight us.”

No image available
/ 13 September 2007

SA current-account deficit lower

South Africa’s current-account deficit decreased to 6,5% of the gross domestic product in the second quarter of the year, down from 6,9% in the first, the South African Reserve Bank said on Thursday. This was mainly due to the raised demand for South African exports in the second quarter.