No image available
/ 12 January 2007
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Joe Seremane told South African Broadcasting Corporation radio on Friday that he will make an announcement within weeks as to whether he will make himself available to stand for the leadership of the official opposition. Seremane is the federal chairperson of the party and, if elected, will be the first black leader of the official opposition.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a ”monumental flop” if South Africa does nothing to counter international perceptions that the country is a criminal haven, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi warned on Friday. ”South Africa, unfortunately, is perceived in many parts of the world as a criminal haven,” he said in his weekly message.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini claimed his 16th five-wicket haul to undo Pakistan’s first innings in the first Test on Friday. Fast bowler Ntini took five for 83 as Pakistan were dismissed for 313 an hour before lunch on the second day. South Africa made a shaky start to their reply and were 32 for two at lunch with both wickets falling to fast bowler Mohammad Asif.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
The case against 16 murder accused — arrested after the Jeppestown shoot-out in Johannesburg last year — was postponed at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Six armed police officers surrounded the 16 men in the dock while magistrate Delize Smit postponed the case to March 2 to allow for further investigation.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
Fraud convict Tony Yengeni looks set to receive a warm welcome when he is released on parole from Malmesbury Prison on Monday morning. The African National Congress in the Western Cape said on Friday several of its senior members will be there to greet their party’s former chief whip, including provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha and chairperson James Ngculu.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
South Africa’s Department of Labour has warned employers in the northern Free State to ”brace themselves” for intensive workplace inspections to check compliance with the country’s labour laws. Sectors which would be targeted for inspections would include private security, contract cleaning, wholesale and retail, manufacturing and construction.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
President Thabo Mbeki will on Saturday deliver a keynote speech during celebrations to mark the African National Congress’s (ANC) 95th anniversary as South Africa’s ruling party prepares to elect a new leader later this year. The speech should be the last anniversary address made by Mbeki as president of the ANC unless he seeks an unprecedented third term.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
It is critical to win the political argument that a decentralised state is more effective than a unitary state in delivering essential services, including crime fighting, says Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Buthelezi, noting that the South African state’s number one obligation is to protect its citizens, argued that policing in South Africa remains highly centralised.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
No one on the continent has responded so far to the call for 8 000 African peacekeepers for Somalia, perhaps because it looks like it will be some time before there’s enough peace to keep. Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Benin and Ghana, among the other nations on whom hopes were pinned, have been reticent on the matter.
No image available
/ 12 January 2007
When the 2006/07 season began, none could have predicted that midway through the season a small side like Silver Stars would be leading the log. The high-flying ”Tycoons” — an ironic nickname for a side run on a shoestring budget — have done exactly that and, even better, clinched the inaugural Telkom Knockout Cup in December.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
European Tour journeyman Andrew McLardy of South Africa took the first-round lead in the inaugural, co-sanctioned Jo’burg Open on Thursday with an eight-under-par 63 on the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington club’s West course. The club has two fine courses, the long, tough par-71 East and the easier par-72 West.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Food retailer Woolworths warned on Thursday that 17Â 000 packets of malted chocolate treats bought by shoppers could possibly contain nut allergens. The company destroyed 6Â 100 Chuckles Malted Puffs packets from a batch with an April 16 expiry date as the sweets may contain hazelnuts, said spokesperson Dorothy McLaren.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Three Pakistan batsmen fell in quick succession to hook shots to spoil an otherwise solid performance by the tourists on the first day of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion on Thursday. Pakistan were 242-5 at the close, with captain Inzamam ul-Haq unbeaten on 35.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
A senior Eastern Cape government official suspended in 2005 for alleged corruption and bribery has been hired to oversee all social-grant payments in the province, media reported on Thursday. The January 1 appointment of Khaliphile Mabhentsela as Eastern Cape acting regional executive manager of the South African Social Security Agency has been widely condemned.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
A charge of genocide has been laid against Treatment Action Campaign head Zackie Achmat at the International Criminal Court, media reported on Thursday. In the 59-page criminal complaint in the court in The Hague in The Netherlands, Achmat is accused of promoting the provision and use of antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Residents of Marlboro in Johannesburg — seeking a court interdict after their homes were expropriated for the Gautrain project — reached a settlement at the city’s high court on Thursday. The residents were unhappy about the compensation they were to receive for their homes.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
A 36-year-old man who allegedly abducted his girlfriend and kept her tied to a tree in a field for eight days is expected to appear in the Stilbaai Magistrate’s Court, Cape Town police said on Thursday. Karel Amsterdam will be facing charges of abduction and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
The murder of a farm manager by a mob of illegal squatters near Melmoth in KwaZulu-Natal and the role of the provincial department of land affairs in the dispute are to be raised in Parliament when it reconvenes next month. The manager was clubbed to death following a meeting with squatters on the farm he managed.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Eastern Cape Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Athol Trollip formally announced at a press conference his intention to run for the leadership of the official opposition. He was introduced to the media on Thursday in glowing terms by his Eastern Cape legislature colleague, Veliswa Mvenya: ”His skin is white but he is black.”
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
During December, when South Africans seem determined to be merry or drown their sorrows with the help of alcohol, more than 1 000 intoxicated drivers were arrested throughout the country. In KwaZulu-Natal, 673 people were caught for drunken driving from December 1 to January 10.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
”Madam of nations! Miss South Africa! How are you doing today, Miss South Africa?” Balancing boxes of fruit, a tarmac charmer aims his compliments in a steady stream through an open car window. With little success, he shifts the boxes and ambles on to deliver his next salutation. Plastic coat hangers, mangoes, cheap cellphone chargers … the range is eclectic and so is the sales talk.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
South Africa’s business confidence edged higher to a new peak in December despite a further central bank interest-rate hike, and the trend is likely to continue in 2007, a survey showed on Thursday. The South African Chamber of Business’s business confidence index rose to 103,5 index points from 103,2 in November, which was a recovery from 99,5 in October, its poll showed.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
South Africa’s economic confidence soared in December on forecasts of a firmer rand currency, tamer inflation and continuing solid expansion. A survey of 15 economists released on Thursday showed the Reuters econometer, a confidence measure of six weighted indicators, rose to 263,74 in December — its highest level since May last year — from 249,9 in November.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
A strong south-easter did not deter Santos, who ran out 2-1 winners over Black Leopards in a Premier Soccer League match at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night. Santos led 1-0 at half-time. Santos could have been two goals up in the opening minutes.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Johannesburg metro police have arrested five motorists caught cruising in the emergency lanes on the M1 south and N1 north highways on Wednesday. Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said four taxi drivers and a motorist driving a BMW were arrested.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Corporate re-organisations structured to avoid tax will be challenged, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Wednesday. Commissioner Pravin Gordhan said certain transactions were being structured ”in such a way that they show complete and reckless disregard for tax morality and South African tax law”.
No image available
/ 11 January 2007
Two men have been arrested after they blew up an ATM in Mamelodi East outside Pretoria, Gauteng police said on Friday. Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said the men blew up a Standard Bank ATM at a Shell garage and an AK-47 rifle, a 9mm pistol and a BMW were seized by the police.
No image available
/ 10 January 2007
The Muslim Judicial Council has urged the South African government to intervene in what it called ”Ethiopia’s American-backed invasion of Somalia”, saying the attack was criminal and a violation of law. ”The lawless and shameful killing and bombing of a large number of ”Islamic extremists” … is criminal, and a violation of any legal process,” the organisation said in a statement on Wednesday.
No image available
/ 10 January 2007
Provincial education departments experienced a smooth start to the first day of school on Wednesday with no major problems being reported. Schools reopened in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the North West and Free State. ”All our schools opened today [Wednesday],” said Gauteng education spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi.
No image available
/ 10 January 2007
A shortage of beds at the Valkenberg psychiatric hospital has delayed the trial of two teenagers who allegedly tied fake explosives to a woman and her daughter in an attempt to rob a bank. In December, the Paarl Regional Court referred Johan Hendrik Smit (18) to the hospital for a month’s observation.
No image available
/ 10 January 2007
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has expressed satisfaction with the meeting she had with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Foreign Affairs Department said on Wednesday. Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the two met in New York on Tuesday for the first time since Ban became secretary general of the UN.
No image available
/ 10 January 2007
The country’s two biggest agricultural unions have condemned Minister of Land Affairs and Agriculture Lulu Xingwana over her criticism of farmers’ treatment of their workers. While the Transvaal Agricultural Union wants her sacked, AgriSA has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission and has written to President Thabo Mbeki and Xingwana.