Controversial South Africa National Congress Youth leader, Julius Malema, could face genocide charge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague from his singing of the song "shoot the boer". According to local media reports a charge has already been lodged with the Netherlands-based court. - It is reported that a Rustenburg farmer and his family left South Africa last week for safety fears after deciding to lay the charge against the African National Congress Youth League leader. Their lawyer, Fanie van der Walt, said the accusations against Malema were sent in writing to the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands on Monday. The charges relate to Malema s…

South Africa has unveiled a set of new gold coins with the emblem of the 2010 World Cup. The coins are decorated with both the South African and German Coat-of-Arms a symbol of the hand-over from the 2006 German World Cup to South Africa. The coins can be bought at the Mint's coin world shop in Midrand, at R4 500 ($599) each. - Deputy General Manager Natanya Van Niekerk of SA Mint said the quarter ounce (oz) gold coins formed part of a special launch set for the FIFA World Cup coin series. The miniature image of Soccer City that was recently renamed and reconstructed to become one of the most artistic football venues on the African continent has been placed in the reverse of the gold…

SA has been warned against the use of thermal massage bed, said to cure Aids patients after a 40-minute session. National health spokesman Fidel Hadebe said the use of the beds is under investigation by the health ministry. "We will send inspectors to the establishment and we will take legal action if we find any fraud." - According to the Sowetan newspaper, people queue from as early as 2:00am in the mornings to the "Ceragem Clinic" where some 20 miracle beds are based to have their 40 minutes session on the beds that apparently heal any disease, including HIV/AIDS. The clinic is owned by Morokane Choma. Ceragem, a Korean massage bed, is not registered with the S…

South Africa is setting up at least 54 Special Courts to deal with crimes committed during the one month long 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is estimated to cost the host country about US$ 131,659 (R1-million) in all nine host cities and would run for 15 hours daily from May 28 to July 25. - AfricaNews reporter said the justice ministry is concerned that the influx of 450 000 tourists will bring with it a surge in crime. Key personnel including judges, lawyers, prosecutors, interpreters and volunteers to help with administrative issues, will receive special training for the courts. The development is aimed at speeding up the judicial process, especially for cases involving foreigners. A stat…

Corruption remains deep rooted in countries in Sub Saharan Africa, results of the corruption perception index for the year have shown. South Africa has been ranked 55th most corrupt country out of 180 countries surveyed by Transparency International with a scored of 4.7 out of ten on the index. - New Zealand with a score of 9.4 points out of 10 was adjudged to be the world’s least corrupt country with Denmark coming second with 9.3 points. According to the perception index released on Tuesday corruption remained embedded in Sub-Saharan Africa. Transparency said the overall picture remained one of serious corruption challenges across the region. "The corruption perceptions…

Japan FA Boss, Motoaki Inukai, has called for the ban of the use of the famous vuvuzelas - long, plastic trumpets used by SA supporters. It is synonymous with SA soccer fans but the incessant noise from the air horns triggered complaints from players, coaches and broadcasters during the 2009 Confederations Cup. - Inukai said the trumpets make so much noise that people cannot hear each other even when they are only five metres apart. The call follows the weekend international friendly match between the Blue Samurai and Bafana Bafana at the weekend that ended in a 0-0 draw. "I've asked the South African Football Association to ban the noise. We can't even hear sounds from …

The South Africa government has terminated the US$5.4 billion Airbus A400M military aircraft deal, cabinet announced on Thursday. The decision which was taken two weeks ago but was only made public Thursday would have seen the southern African country acquire eight Airbus A400 military aircrafts. - In terminating the contract, cabinet cited delays in the delivery of the order and the continued escalation of costs, which the government sees as a burden on the tax payer. Initial costs of acquiring the eight military airlift planes was R17billion, (just over US$2 billion) but had since ballooned to around R40billion (Over US$5 billion). In a statement to the media government spokesperson Th…

The president of the South Africa Athletics Board and his board have been suspended with immediate effect. Leonard Chuene and his team were fired for the way they handled the Caster Semenya gender issue. They are to face a disciplinary investigation, a statement from the Sports Confederation said. - The statement from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) said: "The suspended individuals will appear before a disciplinary enquiry to answer charges of bringing ASA, the sport of athletics, SASCOC and sport in general into disrepute." It added: “We are considering taking appropriate action against the International Association of Athletics Feder…

Bafana Bafana's newly appointed coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira returned to South Africa on Thursday morning. He immediately expressed his willingness to recall Benni McCarthy back into the squad after missing out on national team games during the reign of fellow Brazilian, Joel Santana. - Perreira’s arrival at the Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport was markedly devoid of the fanfare that surrounded his first coming as coach to the World Cup host nation in September 2006. He was reappointed in the last two weeks, following Joel Santana’s departure. SAFA CEO, Raymond Hack and other officials were at the airport to welcome the coach. Benni has been excluded from the South…

At least 1,150 suspects have been rounded up in South Africa over the last two weeks for various crimes during a patrol at various entry points, according to the Police Service on Wednesday. The police revealed that stolen goods and accessories worth millions of Rands were recovered during the period. - SA National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele said new measures are being put in place to reduce crime statistics in the country. "It is evident that measures put in place to tighten security of our country are improving tremendously. In September this year, the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Committee met at the Emperor's Palace to discuss among other matters, cross border cr…

South Africa leading striker and English premiership player Benni McCarthy is eying a move to Portsmouth. Jerome McCarthy - brother of Benni - told the local media that come the January transfer window Benni would be making moves to depart from Ewood Park. - “Benni told me something is going to happen and chances are he will move to Portsmouth in January,” Jerome said on People.co.uk. He said his brother feels that it makes more sense that he leaves Blackburn were game time has been difficult to come by. Most South Africans are hopeful that the return of Alberto Parreira would also mark the return of Benni to the national team after being snubbed by former coach Joel Santana. …

At least $51,663,459 (R400 million) has been set aside by the South African government for the creating of 10 eco-towns. The towns being "created" under a project dubbed Buyesila (Give Back) is a direct response to efforts to protect the ecosystem and limit the damage brought about by climate change. - Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said the funds would be used for cleaning and greening projects. "South Africa must act now to combat climate change. Investing in the ecological infrastructure of this country is as important as building schools, roads, hospitals and houses," she said. “In the first phase of Project Buyesila, 10 eco-towns m…

South African businesses warned to be on high alert for fake notes during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Kalyani Pillay, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) said there are high chances of an influx of counterfeit notes during the one month long event. - As the global event draws near, Sabric and the South African Police Service have set up an inter-bank foreign exchange and counterfeit currency work group to deal with such challenges. "Counterfeit notes pose significant strategic and operational risks for the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) and the public," said Clive Crompton of the SA Reserve Bank. Some retailers have begun to pu…

Mozambique has begun voting in today's presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections. Current president Armando Guebuza is widely expected to retain power for another five years. It is expected that just under half the 22.9 million of the country's population are expected to vote today. - The race for the president pits Guebuza alongside his longtime rival, Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama and Davis Simango of the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), a splinter of Renamo. Dhlakama, who led a 16-year guerrilla war against Frelimo, is also trying to court the foreign capital that helped the agriculture-dependent economy grow more than 6 percent last year. Expansion is forecas…

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development reports that mobile phone sales have grew by 550 percent in five years, research shows. According to the Information Economy Report, mobile phone revolution continues on the African continent. - The UN report notes that the charting phenomenon has transformed commerce, healthcare and social lives across the planet. Mobile subscriptions in Africa rose from 54 million to almost 3500 million between 2003 and 2008, the quickest growth in the world. In Africa, average penetration stands at more than a third of the population, and in North Africa it is almost two-thirds. Gabon, the Seychelles and South Africa now boast almost 100 percent p…

South Africa has re-appointed Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira as the new Bafana Bafana coach. Parreira replaces fellow countryman Joel Santana who resigned on Monday after a string of poor results. Santana's 16 months reign at the national soccer team, plunge down the world rankings to 85th place. - Santana's resignation was widely expected following Bafana’s loss to Iceland last Tuesday, which was South Africa's eighth defeat in their last nine friendly internationals. According football site kickoff.com, Parreira arrived in the country on Friday morning to take his job as Bafana coach in preparations for the World Cup to be hosted by South Africa next year. Rep…

Germany is considering providing bullet proof vests for the soccer team when it visits South Africa for next year's world cup. Guenter Schnelle the head of BaySecur said that the world cup stars should be expected to wear bullet-proof vests if they venture away from the team hotel at next year's tournament. - BaySecur is the company that normally provides security for the German national soccer team. “The possibility for the players of moving outside of the hotel boundaries should be kept to a minimum,” he is quoted as saying in Sport-Bild. "Otherwise there must be a full escort: armed security guards and bullet-proof vests for the players." Helmut Spah…

Botswana Democratic Party leader, Ian Khama has been sworn in as the country's leader for the next five years. BD party swept to landslide victory in polls held at the weekend. The party swept 45 of 57 constituencies, and about 54 percent of the popular vote, against just over 20 percent for the Botswana National Front. - In an inauguration speech on Tuesday, Khama the son of former president Sir Seretse Khama, urged the private sector to work with the government to boost growth. He said whilst the future remained bright for the country challenges would be encountered along the way. "In this connection, the private sector must redouble its efforts in a spirit of partnership w…

The coach of the South African national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, Joe Santana has resigned. The decision follows a string of poor results and just eight months before the nation hosts the 2010 World cup. A new national team coach to replace the Brazilian coach is expected to be named on Friday. - Santana’s 16 months reign at the national soccer team, plunge down the world rankings to 85th place. Santana's resignation was widely expected following Bafana’s loss to Iceland last Tuesday, which was South Africa's eighth defeat in their last nine friendly internationals. South Africa Football Association spokesperson, Morio Sanyane said the Brazilian coach resigned a…

The task team put together to look into the Caster Semenya debacle has called upon the IAAF to apologise and declare gender tests null and void. ANC said the IAAF should apologise not only to Semenya and her family, but also to President Jacob Zuma and all South Africans for the way in which it handled the saga. - Addressing journalist, ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said Semenya's gender test had been handled badly purely because South Africa was a developing country. "The country is being undermined. Our view is that if Caster was an athlete from a developed country, we would not be where we are.” He said ANC as a ruling party was quite aggrieved and was doing all t…

Police in SA had to fire rubber bullets to disperse thousands of violent residents protesting against poor service delivery. A number of violent incidents were reported across parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga. The residents are demanding improved infrastructure for sanitation, electricity and housing. - "There was an expectation that things would improve for the working class and for the lower income groups. But this is not happening," said Nel Marais, political analyst at Executive Research Association. Talk Radio 702 said protesters in the Standerton Township of the north-eastern region of Mpumalanga had barricaded roads leading into the township and were marching to the munici…

There are too many guns floating around in South Africa though with proper documentation, President Jacob Zuma cries out. "This country is too armed," he added. President Zuma said there was need for the country to implement tougher laws regarding gun ownership and its proliferation. - “We need to be firm to those who undermine the human rights of others,” said Zuma. Zuma’s government is pushing for the police to get shoot-to-kill powers against violent criminals, in an overhaul of the criminal justice system. Sheena Duncan the spokesperson for the Gun Free SA said Zuma showed that gun control had not fallen off the government’s agenda since the Firear…

There are over 160,000 convicted and awaiting-trial prisoners in incarceration facilities designed to accommodate 114,000 in South Africa. Meanwhile, prisons officials on Wednesday said overcrowding in jails was on the decrease but received a backlash from Auditor-General Terence Nombembe. - Nombembe rebuked the prisons department for overcrowded conditions in violation of the law. Out of the figures, 116,000 have been sentenced and 47,000 are awaiting trial. The Auditor-General said the department of correctional services had failed to comply with the Act that requires that prisoners be detained “under conditions of human dignity”. Willem Damons, the chief deputy commissio…

A protest by members of the South Africa National Defence Forces on Wednesday turned violent at the Union Buildings in Pretoria as they went on a peaceful protest over poor salary in the service. Investigations into the circumstances of the march are already underway in the Southern African country. - North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday morning dismissed an application by the South African National Defence Union (Sandu) to force the army to release its soldiers to take part in a protest march to the Union Buildings. Several cars were damaged as police pushed the soldiers back from the Union Buildings, he said. Soldiers threw a petrol bomb into one vehicle, it was reported. …

South Africans on Tuesday temporarily put aside the controversy surrounding Caster Semenya to offer her a befitting welcome at the O R Tambo International Airport. Supporters waved home-made placards that read "Our first lady of sport" and "100 percent female woman," as they crowded the Airport. - Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela, was among the crowd, along with Semenya's parents. "We are here to tell the whole world how proud we are of our little girl," Madikizela-Mandela said. "They can write what they like." It has been suggested that Semenya may unknowingly have a medical condition that blurs her gender and g…

The late Iraq leader, Saddam Hussein, is estimated to have received more than US$1.8 billion in surcharges and kick back from South Africa on oil deals. The opposition Democratic Alliance is on the neck of President Jacob Zuma to re-open a probe into oil deals between South Africa and Iraq. - Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Athol Trollip on Monday said there is the need to reconstitute a commission on the role senior government officials played in oil deals with Iraq. “One of the key issues the Democratic Alliance will be asking the president to address is the Donen Commission and the findings it makes in its report,” Trollip said. Trollip said the DA would submit for…

With less than 300 days before the long-awaited kick off of the 2010 soccer World Cup, South Africa remains optimistic that more than 450 000 visitors will throng the country for the global showpiece. Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk believes there is no reason to cut back the number of foreigners expected to visit. - The minister said the country continue to fare well against its competitors despite the effects of the global downturn. “The 2010 soccer tournament is a wonderful opportunity. There was however a misconception that the world cup was the alpha and omega that will solve all our problems," he warned. "We must avoid landing in the same boat as Korea. S…

Trade Unions in South Africa have expressed anger over the continued influx of cheap Chinese goods and services forcing local companies to close shop. Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) - the umbrella body of local traders - has referred to the developments as a "tsunami". - Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said Chinese products are being produced by cheap and exploited workers. “The greatest challenge for SA was that China’s products are being produced by exploited workers without labour rights and earning appallingly low wages. It is for this reason that Cosatu believes SA should impose tariffs on all Chinese products,” he said. Commercial Counsel…

South Africa's ruling party, the Africa National Congress and other parties have described the investigations into athlete Caster Semenya's gender as racism of the highest order. International Association of Athletics Federations has ordered tests for Semenya to verify her gender. - "We condemn the motives of those who have made it their business to question her gender due to her physique and running style. Such comments can only serve to portray women as being weak," the ANC said in a statement. The scrutiny increased after she won the women's 800m on Wednesday. IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss said an investigation into Semenya's gender was under way in bo…

One of South Africa's police stations has been turned into a gun shop where weapons are being sold to criminals. The administrative clerk from Alexandra police station, Aubrey Tshamana, is before court for allegedly selling six R-5 rifles and 16 handguns for officers and the Sandton police station. - Detectives from the Johannesburg Organised Crime Unit are investigating whether the weapons could have been part of those used in the recent spate of violent robberies at some shopping malls. Tshamana, 26, appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. His case has been postponed to next week and he will be kept at high-risk holding cells. The guns have not been recovere…

South African teenager Caster Semenya will undergo gender tests after she easily won the 800-meter gold medal Wednesday at the world championships. About three weeks ago, the international federation asked South African track and field authorities to conduct the verification test. - Semenya took the lead at the halfway mark and opened a commanding lead in the last 400 meters to win by a massive 2.45 seconds in a world-leading 1 minute, 55.45 seconds. Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei was second and Jennifer Meadows of Britain was third in 1:57.93. Nick Davies, IAAF spokesman stressed this is a medical issue, not an issue of cheating. “The testing process is extremely complex. The …

Construction works at the Pan African Parliament has come to a total halt. The site located in Midrand some 20 kilometers outside Johannesburg has been discovered to be a protected wetland area. The building was to cost about $94,037,165 (770m Rand). - Nicole Barlow the chairperson of Conservation and Environment Association (ECA), a lobby group has threatened to take the responsible authorities to court if they decide to proceed with the project. “We do not believe they conducted the process properly and documents will show that,” she said. Barlow said there was no way the Department of Public Works could construct the parliament building without irretrievably damaging the w…

Leading telecommunication companies Bharti Airtel of India and South Africa's MTN Group are engaged in talks to merge. Business watchers say if the deal goes through it would create the world's third-largest mobile operator. - If the talks succeed, the new company would create an emerging markets giant with more than 200 million customers across India, Africa and the Middle East. Both companies are leading mobile service providers in their respective countries. Talks between Bharti and MTN are supposed to have been concluded by July but were extended. “As discussions between the parties regarding the potential transaction are continuing, both parties have agreed to extend …

The violent service delivery protests currently gripping South Africa has been attributed to the era of former president, Thabo Mbeki. Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale said people are not against the current President but the municipalities aligned to the previous administration. - Sexwale noted: “There is a disconnect between us (leaders) and our people. This is quite clear. The people are not demonstrating against a three month-old government. They voted us into power three months ago. They are simply saying leaders in the past have done things wrong and they want to tell us.” He said people wanted the government to hear about the challenges they have had to face for…

One of South Africa's tourist attractions, the Table Mountain in Cape Town has made it into the final round of the New7Wonders of Nature. The top 28 wonders from around the world were announced on Tuesday, by the New7Wonders Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland. - Table Mountain will now compete for a top seven finish to be announced in 2011. "We were really excited when our mountain made it through to the list of 77 sites which were voted in by the public. “And we are now delighted that the judges have shown their appreciation for this World Heritage Site and given Table Mountain a chance to compete against other incredible natural phenomenon," said Sabine Lehmann, CEO…

South Africa require a total of 15 000 volunteers for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be hosted in that country. Local organising committee head, Danny Jordaan (LOC) said volunteers would be recruited from across South Africa, the continent and the rest of the world. Applications close on August 31 2009. - The LOC's volunteer department will then conduct interviews with pre-selected applicants in January and February 2010. “The volunteer programme is an excellent way to get involved in South Africa and Africa's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of hosting the world's biggest sporting event," he said. In total volunteers are required in 16 functional areas – ac…

The number of people abusing dagga and cocaine has risen from 2,6 million in 2006 to 3,2 million last year, a United Nations World Drug Report has revealed. According to the report, illegal drug use in South Africa was twice the world average. The use of the drugs increased by at least 20 percent. - The head of the Central Drug Authority, Dr David Bayever, said: “The drug problem in SA remains very serious, with drug usage being twice the world norm in most cases.” The estimated number of cocaine users in SA increased from 240 000 in 2006 to 290 000 last year. Last year, half of all the Cape Town Drug Counseling Centre's 583 clients had started using drugs before the age…

At least 95 percent of 2010 World Cup construction sites have been paralysed by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) strike. In a statement NUM said workers have shown their willingness to go ahead with strike until their demands are met. Close to 70 000 workers are taking part in the nationwide strike. - “NUM is pleased to report that over 95 percent of the sites were hit by the strike. “The strike will enter its second day tomorrow [Thursday] and workers have shown the willingness and resilience to continue until employers offer the required 13 percent,” " spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said. Construction stopped in Durban at Moses Mabhida stadium, King Shaka Int…

About 70 000 workers will take part in the planned strike by construction workers on the World Cup sites due next week. The spokesman for the workers, Lesiba Seshoka, said if all their members went on strike this could cause a complete shutdown at the construction sites for next year's soccer extravaganza. - The unions are demanding a 13 percent pay hike compared to the 10 percent being offered by employers. NUM has already reduced its demands from the initial 15 percent. The move by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Building Construction and Allied Workers’ Union comes after marathon talks collapsed last week. A number of 2010 projects could be delayed if the …

At least 277 illegal mine workers died in South Africa in 2008. Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said between the period June 1 2008 to June 1 2009 were 142 deaths of miners lawfully employed and 135 deaths of illegal miners. It was disclosed that last year 168 workers died in legal operations. - As part of measures to arrest the continued deaths, the SA government has resorted to shutting down mines temporarily. Most observers suggest that the spike in illegal mining is the result of near record gold prices combined with soaring unemployment, and an increasing number of desperate South Africans and people from neighbouring countries like Mozambique and Lesotho, willing to risk t…

Wireless G has launched a new all-in-one prepaid broadband service that enables users to connect ADSL, 3G and Wi-Fi whenever through a single provider. Wireless G CEO, Carel van der Merwe, said this would enable customers to purchase capacity that is within their reach at any particular time. - He said customers could use a prepaid shared data wallet as well to hook up to the net. “We believe the service will attract great attention because of the ease of use with which customers can buy and use data capacity as and when they require,” he said. Van der Merwe said customers would no longer have the burden of fulfilling a contract like it pertained in past. Data access can be bo…

More state doctors across the province of KwaZulu-Natal defied a court order to return to work. Dr Shailendra Sham, a spokesman for the striking doctors said doctors would continue on strike until their demands have been met despite the Labour Court's ruling in favour of the Department of Health. - Sham said doctors had been angered by the department’s move to suspend some doctors that took part in the strike. “We have been told that six doctors have been suspended and some have been receiving phone calls from the administration office,” she said. According to media reports close to 100 doctors were served with dismissal letters on Monday by the KwaZulu-Natal healt…

The Confederations Cup, which ended on Sunday, has demonstrated SA's ability to host large events and also dispel doubts over next year's World Cup. Organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan refused to get carried away with the success given next year's World Cup is an altogether different ball game. - “I think we achieved everything we set out to at this tournament," he said. The key issue is that the teams are happy, the media are happy, the commercial partners are happy, and the fans are happy,” said Jordan. Jordan said they would not celebrate just yet but would have to work harder for next year’s event. “we are not going to celebrate the pl…

Hundreds of lucky SA fans will receive free tickets from FIFA for tonight's e Confederations Cup semifinal match between Spain and the United States. FIFA said about 6,000 tickets were still yet to find takers. The total capacity for the venue of the semi-finals at the Free State Stadium is 38,000. - “There will be a certain number of tickets given on a complimentary basis,” FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said. “Again, it’s a gesture from FIFA … for people to have a chance to enjoy this game.” The tournament has been marred by some empty stadiums especially at games that did not involve the host country. FIFA has since decided to distribute tick…

2010 World Cup stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay was on Tuesday attacked by armed robbers after an international rugby match. The robbery took place at the sports bar of the new Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth after a game between the British and Irish Lions and the provincial Southern Kings side. - The South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted police as saying at least five robbers have been arrested. The police said the robbers pounced on the bar on the stadium's fifth level after a large police contingent had left the stadium. A small amount of money was taken, but nobody was injured. The match was the first official sports event in the 48, 000-seater stadium, the fi…

All is set for the 8th edition of the FIFA Confederations Cup that kicks off on Sunday. South Africa will open the competition against Iraq at Ellis Park immediately after the official opening ceremony. The competition serves as a curtain raiser and tests how prepared the country is to the 2010 World Cup. - While the Confederations Cup may mean little to its non-competing nations, South Africans are treating the FIFA tournament as a sure-fire sign that the World Cup is on its way. While previous competitions may have been greeted with apathy by local fans, the same cannot be said of South Africa’s devoted football supporters. Eight teams comprising the six continental champions, …

The National Union for Mine Workers has threatened a strike action that could derail progress on the construction of major projects. They include the Gautrain, airports and stadiums for the 2010 World Cup. The union is deadlocked in talks with the SA Federation of Civil Engineers in wage negotiations. - Lesiba Seshoko, spokesman for 50,000 strong NUM workers said the strike would go ahead if they are not awarded a salary increment. “Fifteen percent sounds big, but it is not much for workers who are getting R2, 500 a month,” said Seshoko. He said the strike would definitely bring all world cup projects to a halt including airport projects. NUM is expected to approach the Co…

South Africa president Jacob Zuma has pledged a half a million jobs by December this year during his maiden address to Parliament on Wednesday. He said despite the economy having slid into a serious recession this would not derail government's plans to fulfill the aspiration of the populace. - The Africa National Congress (ANC) government plans to spend billions of dollars to overhaul South Africa's infrastructure. He said: "Government will ensure that the planned 787 billion rand (98 billion dollar) infrastructure expenditure as provided for in the budget earlier this year is properly planned for and executed." Zuma said the funding will cover school building prog…

SA is trying to put in place a system that would allow fans to the world cup to check into soccer stadiums and board any airline regardless of which one issued the tickets. "It is as close to a World Cup match as we can get, and we want to establish the feasibility of checking in passengers at the stadium." - Airports Company SA (ACSA), Group Executive, Bongani Maseko said a team would travel to Rome next week for the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona to observe the logistics of moving fans in and out the city. He said talks were already underway with various airlines about the possibility of passengers using a ticket on any airline. “…

Botswana has been ranked the best African country for potential investments by the World Bank researchers. According to the recently released Global Investment Promotion Benchmarking (GIPB) 2009 report, the Briton Wood institution hailed the country as "a star performer." - The report noted that the country had improved its overall score in the GIPB’s criteria to “an excellent 70 percent, which is an almost 140 percent improvement.” Botswana is the second most improved country in the three years that the GIPB has been done, trailing only to Croatia. The GIPB report - a World Bank initiative - is solely focused on the Investment Promotion Intermediaries (IPIs) o…

FIFA is looking for additional sponsors for the 2010 soccer showpiece to be hosted in Africa for the first time. FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil told the media there was need for more sponsors to come on board. South Africa will host the soccer event next year. - At the moment SA only has two sponsors compared to six that funded the 2006 world cup hosted by Germany. First National Bank (FNB) and Telkom are the only sponsors available at the moment. Tournament sponsors fall into three broad groups - one group of six partners, another of six sponsors, and the final group of national supporters. “It's within the latter group, into which FNB and Telkom fall. FIFA is looking f…

South Africa's Parliament officially elected Jacob Zuma as president. Zuma would be inaugurated on Saturday marking a remarkable political comeback in recent history. "I hope to lead the country on a path of friendship, cooperation, harmony, unity and faster change," Zuma said after the election. - President elect Zuma, 67, is expected to name his cabinet on Sunday a day after officially taking office. In his address to Parliament, Zuma promised to speed up progress on education, health and land reform, fight harder against crime, create more jobs and improve the lives of millions of impoverished black South Africans who have seen little benefit since apartheid ended 15 yea…

Helen Zille the leader of the official opposition, Democratic Alliance will on Wednesday step down as Cape Town mayor. She will be gazetted as a member of the Western Cape provincial legislature. The DA won a clear majority in the province in last week's elections, assuring Zille of the premier's post. - “As soon as the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) puts her name in the gazette as a member of the provincial government she'll cease to be mayor because you can't be a councillor and an MPP (member of provincial parliament) at the same time," spokesperson Robert MacDonald said. In a related development DA chief executive officer, Ryan Coetzee, said the …

The South African National Broadband Forum will soon hand over a proposed broadband policy framework to Parliament after the elections of 22 April 2009.This the newly formed organization said will be to show the importance of high-speed Internet access to all South Africans as a "national priority." - The Forum is a coalition of four organisations which share the common goal of creating cheaper and affordable access for South African citizens. The Forum proposes that current fibre and wireless broadband infrastructure in urban and rural areas should be maximised in an equitable and environmentally responsible manner by operators. It proposes that high-speed broadband access w…

Former South Africa president Thabo Mbeki has come under serious attack from a national executive committee member of the ruling African National Congress, Fikile Mbalula. He said he doubted the conspiracy against ANC president Jacob Zuma would have been exposed if Mbeki was still in office. - In an explosive 1800-word open letter to Mbeki, Mbalula said Mbeki’s legacy was tainted with “shame” and “disgrace” as he presided over a period of gross abuse of state institutions. “I doubt if today you were president this conspiracy that has come to light would have been uncovered,” Mbalula said. Analysts believe what has now become known as the Mbalula…

Most fuel filling stations across South Africa have run out of fuel as the road freight industry strike action entered its third day today. The SA Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) said on Friday that there seem to be no solution in sight as the situation remains serious in the townships. - "The most affected areas are townships throughout the country because of safety issues. Truck drivers fear intimidation in those areas, so we are calling on companies to beef-up security," said Safrea CEO Reggie Sibiya. Despite an announcement by the Road Freight Employers' Association (RFEA) on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (S…

South African economy may shrink in the first quarter of the year. Economic analysts say it is a development that will officially send Africa's biggest economy into a recession. Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni on Tuesday said he "might not be surprised to see another quarter of negative growth." - SA’s economy shrank by 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008 and weak manufacturing and mining output have indicated it heading for its first recession in 17 years, although the Treasury is still optimistic this will be avoided. “There might be a bit of a difference of opinion between me and the finance minister (Trevor Manuel),” Mboweni told members of the Joha…

The leader of Democratic Allience, an opposition party in South Africa, Helen Zille, will on Tuesday lodge an application for a judicial review of the National Prosecuting Authority's decision to drop charges against Jacob Zuma. The application will be lodged at the Gauteng North High Court in Pretoria. - The DA leader has taken the decision following the move by the National Prosecuting Authority to withdraw fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering charges against the ANC president. Acting national director of prosecutions, Mokotedi Mpshe, told a press conference that the NPA had no choice but to drop the charges because of an abuse of the legal process by former Scorpio…

The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa would announce on Friday when the Jacob Zuma, the president of the ruling African National Congress, matter would conclude. NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe said shortly after the meeting had adjourned Tuesday that the matter had not been finalized. - Mpshe said he had not yet informed Zuma’s legal team whether the NPA would drop the fraud, corruption and racketeering charges against the ANC president. “I’m still busy with the verification processes,” Mpshe said. The NPA has been pondering over submissions from Zuma’s lawyers as to why they believe the case should come to an end. NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said there w…

The Chinese government thanked all countries that heed its call for the excommunication of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, but did not specifically mentioned SA. The comment comes days after the South Africa government denied the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader an entry visa. - "All countries should respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose Tibetan independence. We appreciate relevant countries’ measures," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. The Dalai Lama had been expected to address officials attending a peace conference in preparations of the 2010 world cup but SA government denied him a visa to travel to Johannesburg f…

South African government refused entry to Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama entry into SA. He was to have attended a peace conference in Johannesburg on Friday arranged in conjunction with the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Johannesburg, but the South African high commissioner in New Delhi refused him a visa. - The government has since refused to bow to pressure to reverse its decision denying. This has caused uproar in civil society structures and embarrassed the conference organizers ‘the Premier Soccer League (PSL)’ which invited him, as well as Nobel laureates Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and former president FW de Klerk. Tutu and De Klerk have expressed their dismay and threatened…

2010 world cup local organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan is set to brief the football governing body, FIFA with a plan to address the slow sale of tickets to this year's confederations cup. Close to 200,000 of the 646,000 tickets that are available for the June tournament have so far been sold. - Close to 200,000 of the 646,000 tickets that are available for the June tournament have so far been sold. Jordaan admitted that the committee was concerned by the seeming apathy displayed by South Africans and he would have to provide a possible solution to FIFA. The sale of tickets is not going well, Jordaan said. I will give the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to move the Champions Trophy knockout tournament from Sri Lanka to South Africa. The ICC board confirmed this after Sri Lanka warned that hosting the tournament there might be risky, given weather conditions in September. - The Champions Trophy has been reduced to 12 days and there is no provision for reserve days. The planned dates are September 25 to October 5. ICC president David Morgan said: “I think the board has made a sensible decision that will give the event every chance of success. We now have clarity and we can make firm plans for what is going to be a great festival of one-day cricket.” “With the Wandere…

Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, is in stable condition and expected back home from Botswana after sustaining head injury in a motor crash. He is to attend his wife's burial rite in Buhera on Wednesday. The body of Mrs Tsvangirai will be laid in State at the family's Strathaven home in Harare today. - Spokesman Nelson Chamisa said a service would be held at the Glamis Arena, Showgrounds, where friends, relatives, MDC-T leaders, supporters and Government officials were expected to pay their last respects. Chamisa said mourners would then travel to Humanikwa Village in Buhera at 2pm on Tuesday. Meanwhile, South African President and Sadc chairman Kgalema Motlanthe on Sunday s…

Africa National Congress president, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, has called on business and labour to "make sacrifices" and join hands to weather the gloomy period ahead. Perhaps this is the most emphatic recognition yet of the scale of the global economic meltdown on the South African economy. - In a wide-ranging interview with Business Day, Zuma said SA faced “extraordinary circumstances” and that “sacrifices” would be required to avoid job losses while everything had to be done to prevent businesses from going under. He suggested further cuts in interest rates, curbing executives’ performance bonuses, and that workers donate a day’s pay to a…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe in order to allow for the rebuilding of the once prosperous country, SA Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said yesterday. Reports say the country needs some $5 billion to rebuild. - Opening a SADC council of ministers meeting, Dlamini-Zuma expressed confidence that the inclusive government with Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai as prime minister would pave the way to recovery. Tsvangirai recently visited SA, seeking aid for the humanitarian crisis and economic reconstruction of Zimbabwe. Reports suggested the sum requested was anything from $2bn t…

South Africa could have slid into a recession in the last quarter of 2008 as the economy contracted for the first time in a decade, with output sliding 1,8% in the fourth quarter of last year. - According to figures released by Statistics SA yesterday, manufacturing was the main culprit behind the steepest fall in output since 1992. Output plunged by a record 21,8% as the deepening global downturn eroded local exports. The bigger than expected fall in gross domestic product (GDP) hardened speculation that the Reserve Bank may cut interest rates ahead of its next policy meeting in mid-April. “The data serve as the first real sign that the South African economy could be in the mi…

South African Airways (SAA) crew will have their luggage physically searched as security is being tightened. This follows the detention of 15 crew members in connection with drug trafficking at London's Heathrow International Airport. It is one of the resolutions of a special task team formed by SAA. - The task team also inlcudes Airports Company SA (ACSA), Customs and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to review measures put in place by SAA after the first incident last month when crew members were detained in Heathrow. Among other measures SAA will increase the number of sniffer dogs to assist with narcotics detection and that drug detection devices be installed. By end of ne…

Close to 400 builders at Mbombela stadium one of the 2010 South Africa World Cup stadiums have been dismissed for going on strike last Tuesday, according to George Ledwaba, a local union spokesperson. The development has sparked fears that the move could put at risk its July completion deadline. - "About 400 of the construction workers at Mbombela stadium, most of them members of the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM), who have been on illegal strike, were sacked on Tuesday," George Ledwaba told the AFP. "If this strike, which began on February 6, goes on for another week, it will affect the scheduled completion date of the stadium," he said. "Our target com…

More than 2.5 million South Africans use drugs making the country the biggest user of drugs in the world, a UN report has revealed. According to the report, at least 237, 000 citizens are totally dependent on drugs and will do anything possible to acquire them, whilst close to two million are alcoholics. - The report also noted that alcohol abuse and drug addiction cost the country’s economy 20 billion Rand a year in the form of accidents, injuries, assaults and treatment. Southern Africa UN office representative for Drugs and Crime, Dr Jonathan Lucas, said South Africa did not have the capacity to fight drug trafficking. He said in addition to West African, mainly Nigerian, dr…

A 15-member crew of South African Airways was Monday detained on drug charges at London's Heathrow airport in what is almost a carbon copy of a similar event last month. The detention follows the discovery of a five kilos bag of cocaine with a street value of £250,000 in a vanity case belonging to one of them. - Revenue and Customs spokesman at Heathrow Bob Gaiger told the Times of South last night that: “The cocaine confiscated has an estimated street value of £250,000 (R3.5-million). Crew members are subject to the same customs checks as any other person when entering the UK. ‘‘Those arrested are being held in custody and will be interviewed by [customs] investig…

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has endorsed the African National Congress campaign dispelling rumours that he no longer supported the ruling party. He joined ANC leader Jacob Zuma at a rally in the province of Eastern Cape in an apparent show of confidence ahead of an April 22 poll. - This was his first public appearance since retiring from active politics. Mandla Mandela, the grandson, who was speaking on behalf of the Mandela family said: “We are here to dispel any notion by anybody, anywhere, who thinks that anybody within the Mandela family, particularly Nelson, were not supporting the ANC.” Mandla told the crowd that Mandela has always fought for justice in…

An amount of R463 million (about $47m) has been released for the stadium building programmes easing fears that the 2010 world cup stadiums in South Africa would not be ready on time . Stadiums in Johannesburg, which will host the opening and final matches, are on schedule, as is semifinal host Durban. - Semifinal venue Cape Town – long plagued by the most problems – said its 68000-seat stadium will be ready in December, and on Tuesday started raising huge cables to support the roof. SA’s finance minister Trevor Manuel who released the funds said: “The hosting of the FIFA World Cup will be more than an opportunity to watch the world’s best football players fir…

The South African government plans to spend R780 billion (USD$78,596,646) in the next five years hoping to create some four millions jobs. At the same time, government's huge programme of infrastructure spending will continue unabated, stated Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on Wednesday. - Presenting his 13th national budget, Manuel said the proposal meant that last year’s budget surplus has now become a deficit equal to 3.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. He however emphasized: “Although the budget deficit will rise to 3.8% of GDP next year, debt service costs will remain moderate over the next three years, at about 2.5% of GDP”. Although there was no repe…

US-based advisory firm AfricaNext Investment Research expect Africa's broadband market to grow more than four-fold in five years to 12.7 million users from 2.7 million in 2007. - New telecoms infrastructure is set to boost capacity and cut tariffs in Africa this year, unlocking the continent’s high-speed Internet potential and creating growth opportunities for operators and equipment firms, the organization said. AfricaNext said growth will be facilitated by new submarine cables and national networks due to launch this year and the emergence of wireless technology such as EVDO and WiMax. Despite being the fastest-growing telecoms market in the world, Africa’s broadban…

The British government will next month introduce Visas for South African intending to travel into the country as it clamps down on what it says massive usage of fake South African passports. The British high commission said yesterday that abuse of the South African passport was still a serious concern. - More than 420,000 South Africans visited the UK last year. The South African passports were one of the most abused passports detected at UK border posts. Dixo said in the past two years there has also been a significant increase in the number of South African nationals detected working illegally or overstaying after their leave to remain in the UK has expired. The UK government gave S…

Only God can move the 2010 FIFA world cup from South Africa, the Local Organizing Committee chief executive, Danny Jordan told parliament on Friday. He said besides God, only a natural disaster could lead to it being moved elsewhere. - Briefing the parliament’s sports and recreation portfolio committee on the country’s preparedness to host the world class event, he said “Plan B” was long dead adding that there was no other country that was ready to hold a world cup in less than 18 months. “We are going to deliver this event, there is no doubt about that. We have some of the best stadiums in the world and have a track record of hosting world class events. We h…

South Africa's troubled motor industry is expected to shade over 4,000 employees in the next few months, trade unions warned on Thursday. The automobile sector has been hard hit by the global credit crunch and the general slowdown in the local economy, with demand for new vehicles sharply down. - The industry’s trade union, Solidarity on Thursday said it had received notification of planned retrenchments from 30 companies with about 10 percent of jobs in the sector have already been cut. “The sector is facing an extremely difficult period,” Solidarity said in a statement. Hayes-Lemmerz, Robor Stainless, Guestro Automotive, IG Tooling, Formex and Dana Spicer are amo…

SA's Local Organizing Commitee for the 2010 World Cup has announced that one of the stadia to host the world soccer event is ready for use. The stadium will on Sunday become the first World Cup venue to open for action when it hosts a Premier Soccer League match between Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows. - Often simply referred to as Loftus, the stadium has served as a venue for many international matches. It will also be used for a rugby test between the touring British Lions and South Africa's Springboks on June 27. The stadium's renovation has been completed, including the installation of a new roof on one of its four stands, ahead of the World Cup finals next year, Sout…