Man killed in gang shooting 6/21/2006 6:28:05 PM
Police say a shootout in Mapetla in Soweto between two rival gangs has claimed the life of a man.

The 34-year-old was shot in the head and chest and died on the scene. Another man is in a critical condition in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

The man thought to have fired the shots was found hiding behind a nearby creche.
The police's Richard Munyai says the firearm used in the shooting has not been recovered. Back to headlines

Boeremag accused still at large 6/21/2006 6:27:04 PM
Two members of the boeremag are still on the run, almost two months after they escaped from police custody.

The suspects disappeared from the Pretoria High Court in May, during a lunch break.

They and 20 other men face several charges including treason and attempted murder. Back to headlines

Namibia' immunization campaign kicks off 6/21/2006 6:26:33 PM
Namibia has started a massive three-day immunization campaign against polio after the first outbreak in the country in 10 years.

So far 15 people have died while 96 have been infected. Cape Town's director of health Dr David Toms is warning people visiting Namibia to take precautions. Back to headlines

Backbiting within Tripartite Alliance 6/21/2006 6:25:40 PM
Trade union federation Cosatu has accused the ANC of completely misunderstanding the Tripartite Alliance.

It was reacting to a statement by the ruling party after it was criticized by the SACP over its gear and Black Economic Empowerment policies.

The ANC's Smuts Ngonyama says members of the Tripartite were present when these policies were decided upon and thus their views are reflected.

Cosatu says if they have to implement decisions taken at ANC conferences, then the ANC had to be bound by decisions taken at Cosatu congresses.

Cosatu's Patrick Craven says the ANC's statement is surprising. Back to headlines

Serious blood shortage 6/21/2006 6:15:23 PM
The Blood Service says it's again experiencing a serious blood shortage. The service says many OD, the regular donors, are sick with colds and flu and therefore cannot donate blood.

Spokesman Nicollette Duda has urged the public to donate blood as soon as they can. Back to headlines

Jesse Jackson fights Aids 6/21/2006 6:13:44 PM
Human rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson says the partnership with the SA Council of Churches aims to fight a new struggle in South Africa.

Jackson and the church body have announced a new partnership today aimed at addressing issues of HIV/Aids, poverty and development.

The reverend says this is the only way of achieving equality. Back to headlines

Mbeki in talks with Chinese premier 6/21/2006 6:10:28 PM
President Thabo Mbeki and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao have started discussions in Cape Town.

The Chinese premier arrived in the Mother City this afternoon for a two-day state visit to the country. Weng Jiaobao is here to deepen China's ties with Africa. Back to headlines

Messages pour in for Suzman 6/21/2006 6:07:30 PM
Messages of support continue to pour in for former Progressive Federal Party MP Helen Suzman. Suzman fell and injured her hip on Sunday and was admitted to Milpark Hospital.

She's reportedly in a stable condition and recovering well. The DA's David Quaill wishes Suzman a speedy recovery. Back to headlines

SABC mum on analysts blacklisting 6/21/2006 5:58:28 PM
The SABC's spokesperson is refusing to comment on an interview conducted with the corporation's John Perlmen on SAFM this morning.

Perlmen was speaking to the organization’s Kaiser Kanyago when he said that as far as he knew from working at the corporation, several political analysts were banned from its airwaves.

This followed newspaper reports yesterday that a memo blacklisting four commentators who've spoken about the ANC's succession battle had been circulated.

The SABC has denied this. Khanyago says the newsroom has opened a discussion document about on the use of appropriate people. Back to headlines

Businessman laid to rest 6/21/2006 5:54:25 PM
Anwer Mohammed has been laid to rest. The businessman was shot on the Glenhove on-ramp to the M1 in Joburg last night.

It is understood the 58-year old businessman had stopped at a traffic light when armed men in a blue VW Polo Player tried to open the passenger door.

Officials say after failing to open the door, armed men fired several shots at Mohammed.

The businessman tried to escape, driving into a taxi and later hitting the barrier of the road. Back to headlines

Injuries as mall ceiling collapses 6/21/2006 5:49:58 PM
Southgate shopping centre management says five people have been hurt after part of the ceiling collapsed in the Edgars branch at the mall.

It happened while construction workers were in the store in Johannesburg. Back to headlines

End in sight for security strike 6/21/2006 5:17:48 PM
Trade union Satawu says the marathon three-month security guard strike will end tomorrow. Employers put a revised offer, three-year wage deal on the table yesterday.

Satawu told its members at Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg earlier today that they will sign the agreement after receiving a positive response from workers.

It includes 9.25% rise for the first year and 7.25% for two following years. Guards will have 72 hours to return to work when the deal is signed at midday tomorrow.

Meanwhile, East Rand police say they're closing in on a gang of striking security guards believed to be responsible for the deaths of up to 25 of their non-striking colleagues.

Dozens of working guards have been killed in Gauteng since the beginning of the security guards strike in March.

Most of them were assaulted, allegedly by their striking colleagues, before being flung from moving trains.

The police's Gerry van der Merwe they already have four people in custody and they're working round the clock to apprehend the rest. Back to headlines

Security guards strike ends tomorrow 6/21/2006 4:16:30 PM
Trade union Satawu says the marathon three-month security guard strike will end tomorrow. Employers put a revised offer three-year wage deal on the table yesterday.

Satawu told its members at Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg earlier today that they will sign the agreement after receiving a positive response from workers.

It includes a 9.25% rise for the first year and 7.25% for two following years. Guards will have 72 hours to return to work when the deal is signed at midday tomorrow. Back to headlines

Mourners arrive for businessman funeral 6/21/2006 3:47:26 PM
Mourners have started arriving for the funeral service of slain businessman Anwar Mohammed.

Mohammed was gunned down on the Glenhove onramp to the M1 in Joburg last night.

It is understood the 58-year-old businessman had stopped at a traffic light when armed men in a blue VW Polo Player tried to open the passenger door.

Officials say after failing to open the door, armed men fired several shots at Mohammed.

The businessman tried to escape, driving into a taxi and later hitting the barrier of the road. Back to headlines

Guards still considering latest offer 6/21/2006 1:38:02 PM
Trade union Satawu says so far it has received a positive response from its members on the latest wage offer.

Thousands of security guards across the country have been on strike for three months now.

A revised deal was put on the table yesterday, it is still being considered by workers. Satawu's Ronnie Mamba says they will respond by midday tomorrow.

The marathon strike has been marred by violent protests across the country. A deadly spate of train killings has also been linked to the mass action. Back to headlines

Person killed in mine explosion 6/21/2006 1:36:59 PM
One person has been killed in a mine blast in the Free State. Six other people were injured, two of them are in a serious condition.

The police's Rosa Bernadie says it was a planned explosion. Back to headlines

‘Izinyokas’ nabbed in Hammanskraal 6/21/2006 1:36:27 PM
Pretoria police have arrested three cable thieves in Hammanskraal in the early hours of this morning.

The police's Brenda Kgafela says they arrested the thieves as they were stealing Eskom cables in the Mandela Village area.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested the buyer who bought the cables from the thieves. Kgafela says the estimated value of the stolen cables is around R15 000. Back to headlines

RAPCAN-no participation in sexual offences bill 6/21/2006 12:16:52 PM
Children's rights organisation RAPCAN says it is gravely concerned about the lack of public participation on the new sexual offences bill.

RAPCAN is part of the national working group on the Sexual Offences Bill.

The group has urged the portfolio committee to make time available for submissions and public hearings around the bill.

The new bill was introduced in May this year, changes include the widening of the definition of rape to recognize men and boys as victims, and stricter measures around exploring victims' previous sexual history. Back to headlines

Saddam Hussein’s lawyer killed 6/21/2006 11:28:55 AM
Gunmen have kidnapped and killed one of Saddam Hussein's chief defence lawyers, and dumped his body in a Baghdad street.

The number two on Saddam's defence team was the third lawyer to be killed since the start of the trial.

Hussein and seven of his co-accused face charges of crimes against humanity.

There are concerns that the trial will now be delayed, but the prosecutor has dismissed fears.

It comes just days after the prosecutor demanded a death penalty for Hussein and three of his former top aides for the roles in a crackdown on Sahiite villagers.

This follows the 1982 attempt on the ousted leaders life. Back to headlines

Man freed from machinery 6/21/2006 10:19:23 AM
Paramedics have rescued a man from a machine that he was trapped in at a Midrand factory this morning.

It is understood he was cleaning the equipment when one leg got caught in the machinery.

Officials say paramedics have managed to free him, but the mans leg has had to be amputated. Back to headlines

Three dead after family shooting 6/21/2006 10:18:29 AM
A 35-year-old man is in police custody following a triple murder in Gugulethu, Cape Town.

A 2-year-old girl, her 30-year-old mother and 35-year-old aunt were shot dead in their home shortly after 2 o'clock this morning.

The suspect is believed to be the mother’s boyfriend. Traumatised relatives are currently receiving counseling. Back to headlines

Slain journalists family speaks out 6/21/2006 10:18:05 AM
The family of murdered Cape Town journalist Megan Herselman has spoken out against police's handling of the case.

Forty-nine-year old Herselman was shot dead by unknown attackers on a Johannesburg highway last week.

She was laid to rest in a private ceremony yesterday. Back to headlines

De Klerk to be moved out of ICU 6/21/2006 10:17:42 AM
Former President FW de Klerk is moving out of the Intensive Care Unit today.

This follows an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his colon earlier this month at Cape Town's Panorama Medi Clinic.

Doctors are still weaning the former president off a ventilator. Back to headlines

Crisis in sewage works 6/21/2006 8:46:44 AM
Parliament has heard that South Africa's badly managed sewage works are ticking time bombs.

The Water Research Commission has warned if nothing is done it could lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

It says drinking water in many rural towns fail to meet government health standards.

A survey by the Research Commission found that almost 30% of the network needs urgent intervention to avoid a crisis. Back to headlines

Man in possession of surgical instruments in court 6/21/2006 8:46:12 AM
A Pakistani man arrested for the possession of surgical instruments will appear in court today.

East Rand police stormed a block of flats in Benoni yesterday, after receiving a tip-off.

It is understood over 40 boxes filled with various instruments were discovered.

Officals say the instruments were to be sold to local hospitals in the area. Back to headlines

Another petrol price increase? 6/21/2006 8:26:25 AM
A fourth petrol price hike in as many months could hit more than just motorists pockets.

The price is expected to go up by 10c/l next month topping up the already record high price.

The fuel price soared to R6.48 a litre earlier this month, the highest the country's ever seen.

But, despite the Rand reaching above the R7-to-the-Dollar mark yesterday it has not had any significant impact on the petrol price. Back to headlines

Hunt for syndicate suspects continues 6/21/2006 8:25:59 AM
Police are hunting for more suspects involved in a car theft syndicate in eastern Joburg.

Yesterday officials swooped on a residence in Birch Acres, housing a number of stolen and hijacked vehicles.

It is understood hundreds of license plates and fraudulent licenses were discovered at the house. Back to headlines

Suspected abalone poachers in court 6/21/2006 8:25:18 AM
Fifteen members of a suspected abalone poaching syndicate will appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court, in Cape Town today.

The suspects were arrested in three police raids this week.

Police confiscated 7.5 tons of abalone with a street value of more than R6.5m. Back to headlines

Memorial service for theatre icon 6/21/2006 8:24:27 AM
A memorial service will be held today for the head of the state theatre, Michael Lovegrove.

Sixty-one-year old Lovegrove passed away two weeks ago from a diabetes-related illness.

He was well known for putting on top extravaganzas at Sun City in the 80's and more recently, reviving the state theatre.

Friends, family and former colleagues will gather to honor him and his achievements at 11am at the state theatre. Back to headlines

End in sight for guard strike 6/21/2006 7:48:32 AM
There is renewed hope the security guards strike will end tomorrow.

Satawu says its confident its members will accept the latest offer from security guard employers.

Thousands of guards across the country, who have not been at work for three months, are now mulling over the employers' latest wage offer.

The mass action has been marred by violent protests in many provinces.

A deadly spate of train killings in which more than 20 people have been thrown from moving trains in Gauteng has also been linked to the strike.

Security guards are demanding an 11% pay rise but employers initially offered 8.3%. Back to headlines

Bail for airport heist suspect 6/21/2006 7:47:53 AM
The lawyer for several airport heist suspects says he is outraged that police bungling has led to evidence going missing.

The suspects held up an aeroplane and stole millions of Rands in foreign currency.

The cash was then stolen from the Benoni Police Station, where it was being kept in a safe.

Several officers were apprehended in connection with the robbery.

An ACSA employee, who allegedly played a role in the heist was granted R10 000 bail in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court yesterday.

Last week three more suspects were released, after appealing a previous court decision denying them bail.

The case has been marred by allegations that police officers are killing and threatening witnesses. Back to headlines

Charles Taylor behind bars at The Hague 6/21/2006 7:47:04 AM
Liberia's former president Charles Taylor is spending his first morning in detention at The Hague.

He was flown there yesterday from Sierra Leone, to face war crimes charges, following some of the worst atrocities committed in Africa.

Taylor is being held in the same place as former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, who died there in March while facing trial for various war crimes. Back to headlines

Absenteeism costs the economy 6/21/2006 7:23:24 AM
A top health risk management company says absenteeism this winter could cost the South African economy in excess of R1m.

Most cases of absenteeism have been attributed to seasonal illnesses such as colds and flu.

The SA Chamber of Business says this winter has seen an increase in missed workdays.

Business consultancy Lekana says last winter over a million working days were lost to absenteeism. Back to headlines

Arrests made for attempted murder 6/21/2006 7:22:37 AM
Three people have been arrested for attempted murder, after almost beating a man to death on the East Rand yesterday.

It is understood a group of people started attacking the man they believed to be a criminal, with sticks and hammers in Mapleton in Boksburg.

Police are investigating the matter and hope to make more arrests soon. Back to headlines

Hunt for smuggling ring masterminds 6/21/2006 7:22:12 AM
Police are searching for the masterminds behind a Zimbabwean cigarette smuggling ring.

Yesterday, officials raided a Benoni home on the East Rand, where crates of cigarettes and an undisclosed amount cash was discovered.

Two people have been arrested so far. Back to headlines

Concern over North Korean missile launch 6/21/2006 7:21:24 AM
The US has activated its ground based, interceptor missile defence system amid concern over an expected North Korean missile launch.

Pentagon officials have declined to say whether they will try to shoot down any missile, launched by the reclusive communist state.

But that is unlikely if the missile's aimed at open water. Back to headlines

Child pornography sentences set aside 6/21/2006 6:33:06 AM
A Durban husband and wife have had their sentences and child pornography convictions set aside by the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

Their lawyer Kemp J Kemp told the court, the warrants for the search and seizure had not been complied with.

The material came to light when a computer technician was called to repair the couple's computer and found the disturbing images.

Some showed the couple having sex with their own small children. Their lawyer says they will now apply for visitation rights to their children. Back to headlines

Fake DVD dealers in court 6/21/2006 6:32:39 AM
The trial of the two people accused of pirating local films Tsotsi and Mama Jack begins in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today.

Glynnis Lincoln and Sipho Sangweni both worked at the editing facility where the films were produced.

They are accused of leaking the original films to make fake copies that were sold and distributed. Both face charges of copyright infringement and fraud. Back to headlines

Helen Suzman in hospital 6/21/2006 6:30:53 AM
Helen Suzman has been hospitalised after she fell and hurt her hip.

The 88-year-old former MP and Nobel Peace Prize nominee was at home when the accident happened.

She underwent surgery yesterday and is reportedly recovering well.

Suzman's daughter says she will be in hospital for about a week. Back to headlines

Motshekga slams DA 6/21/2006 6:30:26 AM
Gauteng Education MEC Angie Motshekga has hit back at the Democratic Alliance for criticising her budget.

Motshekga tabled a R12.2bn budget in the Gauteng Legislature yesterday.

The DA says more money needs to be spent on education.

The MEC says 80% of the budget will go towards teacher training and the provision of material for learners. Back to headlines

Safety measures in psychiatric hospitals 6/21/2006 6:30:00 AM
The Gauteng Health Department says stricter control measures have now been implemented at psychiatric hospitals.

Last year, a female patient at Tara Hospital near Sandton was raped, allegedly by a male nurse and a fellow patient.

Criminal charges have been laid against the male nurse. But the woman's husband says, only one motion sensor has been installed. Back to headlines

Bail for alleged heist suspect 6/21/2006 6:22:18 AM
Yet another person arrested in connection with a multi-million rand robbery at Johannesburg International Airport has been granted bail.

An ACSA employee, who allegedly played a role in the heist was granted R10 000 bail yesterday in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court.

Last week three more suspects were released, after appealing a previous court decision denying them bail. Back to headlines

Slain businessman to be laid to rest 6/21/2006 6:19:53 AM
A Joburg businessman, murdered on the M1 highway last night will be laid to rest this afternoon.

Fifty-eight-year old Anwar Mohammed was shot and killed at the Glenhove off ramp in Houghton, at around 7 o'clock last night.

It is understood Mohammed stopped at a traffic light when armed men in a blue VW Polo Player tried to open the passenger door.

Officials say after failing to open the door, armed men fired several shots at Mohammed.

The businessman tried to escape, driving into a taxi and later hitting the barrier of the road. Back to headlines