South Africa

Prosecutor decides to drop cellphone charge Boesak cleared for parole date
CAPE TOWN -- The way has been cleared for a parole date for jailed cleric Allan Boesak by a decision yesterday that he will not be prosecuted over the stolen cellphone found in his possession in prison last year. The news came after Parliament's ...

4 held after attack on boxer, student's death
JOHANNESBURG -- Four men aged between 18 and 30 were arrested yesterday afternoon for the alleged killing of a technikon student and the shooting of World Boxing Union (WBU) featherweight champion Cassius "Hitman" Baloyi, 26. One was shot in the r...

State spent R1,6bn on consultants
By Patrick Cull CAPE TOWN ­ The state spent R1,6 billion on consultants in the 1999/2000 financial year, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi disclosed yesterday. This excludes funding through international d...

'SA works with UN against corruption'
CAPE TOWN -- The government was engaged with the United Nations in fighting corruption because it was a global problem, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said yesterday. Replying to debate in the National Assemb...

Fedhasa wants to renegotiate no smoking regulations
CAPE TOWN -- The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) says it wants to re-open negotiations with the Department of Health on the legislation restricting smoking in public places. Fedhasa executive director Willem Fick said ...

Holomisa asks EADS for info on vehicles
CAPE TOWN -- United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa has written to the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) requesting information about claims that the company assisted politicians to obtain vehicles. In a letter addres...

Moleketi to tackle excess staff
CAPE TOWN -- The supernumerary problem -- staff in excess of complement -- is going to be with the Eastern Cape for a few more months. Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi told a media briefing that negotiations on...

'ANC slow to come to Ginwala's defence'
CAPE TOWN -- The ANC, which is usually quick to defend its MPs when they are attacked by the opposition, has yet to come to National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala's defence after she was allegedly defamed by UDM leader Bantu Holomisa. Ginwala...

SA buys Boeing BBJ for VIP, ministers' travel
PRETORIA -- Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota yesterday announced the purchase of a Boeing BBJ to be used as South Africa's first inter-continental VIP aircraft. "With South Africa's return to the international fold, the need for inter-continental ...

Key players upbeat on peace moves in Great Lakes
PRETORIA -- Key players yesterday voiced optimism about peace efforts in the war-torn central African countries of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. After being briefed by President Thabo Mbeki here on peace moves in the Great Lakes r...

Rugby case attorney accused
PRETORIA -- A potential state witness yesterday told the high court here that an attorney, apparently representing some of the nine rugby players accused of murdering Northern Province teenager Tshepo Matloha, phoned him and told him not to tell t...

Staggie trial adjourned to Monday
CAPE TOWN -- The Cape High Court case of five Pagad men accused of the 1996 slaying of Hard Livings gang boss Rashaad Staggie was adjourned yesterday to Monday. The accused -- Abdus-Salaam Ebrahim, Salie Abader, Nadthmie Edries, Moegsien Mohamed ...

TRC denies De Kock amnesty for '92 killings
JOHANNESBURG -- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's amnesty committee yesterday denied amnesty to former Vlakplaas death squad commander Eugene de Kock and eight of his subordinates. They wanted amnesty for the killing of five people and th...