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White South Africans killed in Somalia named

Denel has released the names of two of three employees who were killed after an attack on a United Nations facility in Somalia on Wednesday. They were Morne Lotter, 42, of Oudtshoorn and Alan Simpson, 35, of Port Elizabeth, spokeswoman Vuyelwa Qinga said on Thursday. The name of the third employee, a Somali, would be

Government wants to stop redistributed land being used as collateral

Government is working on a plan that would help prevent redistributed land being used as collateral by banks, Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti said. “We know that when people are in trouble, they go to the bank and use it [their land] as collateral, and the land is taken away,” he said at a televised

Brazil claims South Africa is dumping tyres

South African manufacturers of truck and bus tyres are the latest target of a Brazilian antidumping investigation against South Africa, following an application by the Brazilian body representing tyre manufacturers, ANIP. This comes in the wake of another trade probe of South Africa, over allegations of Sasol dumping polypropylene products, launched in March this year.

African migrants ‘left to die’ sue Nato states

Survivors of a dinghy tragedy that left 63 migrants dead have accused the Nato member states of failing to come to the aid of people in danger. Two survivors of a dinghy tragedy that killed 63 migrants in the Mediterranean lodged fresh legal complaints today in Paris and Madrid, accusing the French and Spanish military

Steinhoff successfully refinances European and African debt

In line with Steinhoff’s policy to review its funding structure, facilities, liquidity and capital structure regularly, Steinhoff Europe today announced that the syndicated revolving credit facility has been successfully refinanced, effectively extending the maturity dates by two years from June 2014 and 2016, to June 2016 and 2018 respectively. In addition Steinhoff Europe took advantage

Cape wind farm gets green light

A proposed wind farm has been given the green light by Western Cape environmental authorities, the Cape Times reported on Thursday. The environmental affairs and development planning department reportedly said the farm near Wolseley would not be in conflict with environmental legislation. SAGIT Energy Ventures director Mich Nieuwoudt told the newspaper the next step was

Countdown to urgent elections after Mali ceasefire

The clock is ticking for Mali as it scrambles to organise key elections in less than 40 days following a ceasefire deal between the government and separatist Tuareg rebels. The agreement, reached on Tuesday after 10 days of tense negotiations, will enable Malian troops to enter the Tuareg-held city of Kidal in the northeast to

Italy’s first black minister receives death threats

Italy’s first black Cabinet minister is facing Internet death threats before a visit to a region known for its anti-immigrant political base. But Cecile Kyenge says she’s not afraid and challenged Italians to respond to such intimidation themselves to prove that Italy isn’t racist. Kyenge, a Congolese-born doctor who has lived in Italy since 1983,

Heavy police presence ahead of Malema’s court appearance today

Police vehicles gathered around the Pietersburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning ahead of a case involving expelled ANCYL leader Julius Malema and four others. Around 7.15am, two police Nyalas and at least 10 police cars were parked in the vicinity of the court, where the five are set to appear on charges including fraud and

Zuma denies uncertainty on economic policy

President Jacob Zuma has rejected the notion of South Africa lacking policy certainty and investor confidence. “I think there is leadership in this country, very clear leadership. There is certainty on policy, there is certainty on economic policy. I would not accept the fact that there is no certainty,” he told the National Assembly on

Kasrils papers find a home at Wits University

Rare and historical material belonging prominent political figure Ronnie Kasrils, gathered during the liberation struggle and the transition to a democratic South Africa, will be handed over into the custody of Wits University tomorrow. Kasrils was a member of the African National Congress (ANC), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and secretary of the Congress of Democrats

ANC wants to get more ‘radical’ on taking land from whites

The centenary of the 1913 Natives Land Act provides an opportunity for South Africa to evaluate progress made in land redistribution, the ANC said on Wednesday. “The centenary… provides an opportune moment to evaluate how far we have come in our quest to realise the aspiration of the landless and dispossessed majority,” African National Congress

Cape Town rapist of 4 girls appears in court

A man has appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court in connection with the rape of four girls, the Cape Argus reported on Wednesday. The 49-year-old’s case was reportedly postponed on Tuesday until August 14, for the public prosecutions director to decide whether the matter should be heard in the Western Cape High Court or