Man trampled to death by elephants 2006/02/07 06:31:55 PM
It has emerged a man has been trampled to death by elephants in Marico in the North West.

Police say 25-year-old Nicolas Mandelkorn and a colleague were following a herd of elephants on horseback at the Madikwe Game Reserve on Saturday. Both men were employed at the reserve.

Police say one of the elephants apparently became upset and turned towards them. The police's Elsabie Augoustides says the rest of the herd also attacked the men. Back to headlines

Government slammed over corruption 2006/02/07 06:30:44 PM
Leaders of opposition parties have taken pot-shots at government over corruption.

Democratic Alliance leader, Tony Leon and Inkatha Freedom Party leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, both castigated government in Parliament this afternoon, during the debate on the president's State of the Nation address. Back to headlines

Differences between Saps and ICD 2006/02/07 06:30:02 PM
A task team will be created to investigate ways of improving relations between the South African Police Service and its watchdog, the Independent Complaints Directorate.

The ICD has held a workshop in Pretoria over the past two days to discuss the growing tensions between itself and the police. Back to headlines

High expectations in WTO talks 2006/02/07 06:29:16 PM
South Africa's top trade negotiator says developing countries are expecting to have agreement on at least two thirds of the latest round of World Trade Organisation talks by April.

Chief Director of Multilateral Negotiations at the Department of Trade and Industry, Xavier Cassim, blames the European Union for the latest impasse.

Cassim says agreement on the Doha Round of the World Trade Organisation talks will add up to 460 billion dollars to the world economy.

The bulk of this should be achieved when the WTO next meets April. He says the European Union stymied the last round of talks in Hong Kong.

That is where the United States proposed cutting its agricultural subsidies in return for increased market access for its manufactured goods. The Europeans could not match this.

Cassim says the developing world has a bigger voice at the WTO through the so-called G20. However, it is still trying to score goals on an uneven playing field. Back to headlines

Worries over Chinese murders in SA 2006/02/07 06:25:07 PM
China has raised concerns with government over a series of crimes and murders of Chinese citizens in South Africa. It has urged its nationals to step up their vigilance in the country. Back to headlines

Widow inherits Kebble's entire estate 2006/02/07 06:24:02 PM
It has been confirmed that Brett Kebble's widow has inherited his entire estate, estimated at around R40m. The businessman was murdered in Melrose in northern Joburg in September last year.

Meanwhile, 702 Eyewitness News revealed earlier today that police have met the two people, who were targeted in pre-dawn raids by investigators in the Kebble murder.

Officials raided the homes of an advertising executive and a gym instructor simultaneously last week, and searched the premises for clues to the killing.

They even accused one of the men of being the hit man who took Kebble out. They left without making any arrests. A police official reportedly apologised for the incident, but senior police personnel have denied this. Back to headlines

Cries of racism as laundry murder accused walk free 2006/02/07 05:02:44 PM
The mother of one of the three women, who were murdered at a Vereeniging dry cleaners has labelled South Africa's judicial system racist.

Six people accused of the triple murder were today granted bail in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court. Charl and Isabel Colyn, Jacques Smit and Ruan Swanepoel have been released on R5 000 bail.

The two other accused, Samuel Mzizi and Jacob Dlamini, have been given R2 000 bail. The mother of Constance Moeletsi has vented her frustrations. All six of the accused have denied any involvement in the killing. Back to headlines

Supersport player’s rape case adjourned 2006/02/07 04:59:23 PM
Supersport United midfielder, Sibusiso Mahlangu, will appear in court again next month.

The 23-year-old Atteridgeville-based player allegedly raped a 17-year-old after picking her up from a New Years Eve party in the township.

He appeared briefly in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court this morning. Back to headlines

Government to announce quota work permits 2006/02/07 04:54:57 PM
Government has announced that the categories for quota work permits will be gazetted on Friday. The quota permits will enable foreigners with scarce skills to seek employment in South Africa. Back to headlines

Fund for small businesses launched 2006/02/07 04:54:19 PM
Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, has praised today's launch of a start up fund, designed to help small black businesses get off the ground and survive the crucial first three years.

Speaking to a gathering of business people in Pretoria today, Mlambo-Ngcuka says the start up fund is long overdue, because it will increase the size of the economic pie and create more jobs.

She has been waiting for something like this, since her days as deputy minister of Trade and Industry. The fund is a joint venture between government owned Khula and the Firm Business Partners, founded by the late Anton Rupert.

It will start with R150m that will go to small black-owned businesses. At least a third of these new entrepreneurs will be women.

The fund is expected to swell to R300m within months. Khula's managing director, Xola Sithole, says there nothing to stop reaching a billion rand. Back to headlines

Victory Theatre in reconstruction 2006/02/07 04:50:56 PM
Reconstruction of the Victory Theatre in Orange Grove is due to be finished by the end of the year. The theatre's Joe Theron says rain has delayed plans for the rebuilding of the beloved venue to be completed before then.

Theron, once a porn magazine publisher, took over the theatre in 2005 to restore it to its former glory. There is currently a huge hole where the theatre used to be, but Theron says the wait will be worth it. Back to headlines

Cops accused of brutality 2006/02/07 04:50:01 PM
A Randfontein man has accused police of brutality and drinking alcohol while on duty after he and several people, including a teenage boy, were arrested.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims he and 11 other people were taken into custody for no apparent reason last week.

He says several police officers swooped on them while they were standing outside a popular roadhouse restaurant. The man insists no one did anything to provoke the officers. Back to headlines

Acsa deals with fuel supply problem 2006/02/07 03:19:56 PM
Airports Company of South Africa says it expects the fuel supply at Joburg International Airport to be back to normal by this weekend.

The Natref Refinery in Sasolburg is now up and running after it was temporarily shut down last week, causing fuel shortages in some inland filling stations.

There were also fears that Jet Fuel may run out at Joburg International. However, Acsa's Solomon Makgale says the situation has eased. Back to headlines

Mufamadi slightly injured in accident 2006/02/07 02:48:41 PM
Provincial and Local Government Minister, Sidney Mufamadi, has been slightly injured in an accident in Midrand in northern Joburg. He was en route to the airport when his car collided with a taxi.

Nine people, including three paramedics rushing to his accident scene, were injured a short distance away. The ambulance, in which the paramedics were travelling, crashed head-on into a taxi.

There were several accidents on Gauteng’s roads this morning, as a result of heavy overnight rains. At least one person was killed in the traffic chaos. Back to headlines

‘Willing-buyer, willing-seller won’t work’ 2006/02/07 02:47:33 PM
The Land Claims Commission says farming in South Africa will not progress if land restitution is not completed.

Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Tozi Gwanya, says that from next month properties will be handed over to new owners, after several years of negotiations failed to yield any results.

Gwanya says the willing-buyer, willing-seller model would no longer apply to land restitution claims, as many white farmers wanted more money than government is offering.

He says farming will not develop if the negotiations continue for too long. Back to headlines

Offence on religious sensitivities condemned 2006/02/07 02:46:22 PM
The Danish embassy in Pretoria has thrown its weight before a statement made by the Danish Prime Minister, Fogh Rasmussen, in condemning any action that may offend religious sensitivities.

There has been worldwide condemnation by Muslims of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist.

Meanwhile, dozens of hardline religious students have again attacked the Danish embassy in Iran. They are pelting the building with stones and petrol bombs.

Around 20 protestors managed to climb over a wall protecting the embassy compound, where a tree appears to have been set alight. Police are managing to eject those who enter the complex. Back to headlines

Vaal Dam overflows 2006/02/07 02:44:39 PM
The Water Affairs Department has ordered the release of water from the Vaal Dam. The facility is overflowing after persistent rains since the start of the year.

The fourth sluice gate was opened at midday today. Rand Water's Francois van Wyk says the water is flowing very rapidly. Back to headlines

Prosecutor and lawyer face charges 2006/02/07 01:28:46 PM
Three people, including a prosecutor and a Gauteng lawyer, are expected to appear in the Durban High Court for bribery and defeating the ends of justice.

Detectives believe the lawyer and prosecutor struck a deal on a drug-related case. In 2004, seven people were arrested after police seized R800 000 worth of drugs.

It is understood the lawyer represents the accused and the female prosecutor involved in the case. Police confiscated a R100 000 when they were apprehended. Back to headlines

German shoppers trapped in roof collapse 2006/02/07 01:25:49 PM
The roof of a German supermarket has collapsed. It is understood several shoppers are trapped, but there is no word yet on casualties.

Last week, the roof of an exhibition hall collapsed in Poland, killing 60 people and injuring over 100 more. Back to headlines

Local Minister involved in car accident 2006/02/07 12:23:19 PM
Local Government Minister Sidney Mufamadi has been involved in a minor car accident in Midrand, northern Joburg.

The minister was not hurt in the crash, but nine people including three paramedics were injured a short distance away.

The ambulance in which the paramedics were travelling, was responding to Mufamadi's accident when it crashed head-on into a taxi.

There were several accidents on Gauteng roads today as a result of heavy overnight rains. At least one person was killed in the traffic chaos. Back to headlines

Laundry murder accused granted bail 2006/02/07 12:22:25 PM
Six people accused of murdering three dry cleaning employees have been granted bail. It is alleged they severely assaulted the three women and dumped their bodies in a laundry bin. Back to headlines

SA says no to nuclear weapons 2006/02/07 12:21:58 PM
South Africa’s representative to the UN nuclear watchdog says no one should have nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency recently decided to refer Iran to the UN Security Council after the Arab country resumed its nuclear programmes.

Britain, France and America had earlier urged the agency to haul Iran before the Security Council, where it could be slapped with sanctions.

South Africa and several other countries represented on the IAEA called for a report on Iran’s nuclear work to be completed, before any action is taken. Back to headlines

Supersport midfileder's rape case postponed 2006/02/07 11:17:51 AM
The case against Supersport United midfielder Sibusiso Mahlangu has been postponed to next month. He is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in Atteridgeville, Pretoria on New Years Eve.

It is the second case against a high profile soccer player. Bafana Bafana's Benedict Vilakazi is on trial for raping a 15-year-old. Back to headlines

Cape Muslims to march on consulate 2006/02/07 11:16:51 AM
Cape Town Muslim leaders say they are trying to calm the anger caused by the publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist.

Hundreds of Muslims are expected to march to the Danish Consulate in Plumstead on Thursday. The cartoons were first published in Denmark.

Executive member of the Muslim Judicial Council and lecturer in Islamic studies, Abdullah Hakim Quick says Muslims are being victimised. Back to headlines

Land expropriation to start next month 2006/02/07 11:01:59 AM
The Land Claims Commission says investment in farming will be hampered, if land owned by white farmers is not expropriated soon. Chief Land Claims Commissioner Tozi Gwanya has indicated that from next month, properties will be handed over to new owners, after several years of negotiations failed to yield any results.

Gwanya says the ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ model would no longer apply to land restitution claims as many white farmers wanted more money than what the government is offering. He says they cannot keep talking forever. It is understood there are more than 7 000 claims that have not been settled. Back to headlines

Safact says Tsotsi DVDs are low quality 2006/02/07 11:00:38 AM
South Africa’s piracy watchdog, Safact has warned that fake DVD copies of Tsotsi are not of the quality that earned the film its Oscar nomination.

Safact CEO James Lennox says his team discovered the pirated copies being sold in stalls, and by street vendors in Gauteng during a routine check-up. Up for an Academy Award in the Foreign Language category, Tsotsi is the latest victim of local films being pirated.

Lennox says viewers of the pirated DVDs will not get to see what gives the film its star quality. Back to headlines

Family need counseling after Jakaranda shooting 2006/02/07 10:59:20 AM
A Pretoria police inspector says his family needs more counseling after his wife and child were shot during an armed robbery at the Jakaranda centre.

Adri van der Berg and her seven-year-old daughter, Henrico were shot with the same bullet by a fleeing gunman on Sunday. Van der Berg's husband Hermanus, an off-duty police inspector, tried to stop the robber from getting away before the criminal opened fire.

The bullet missed the officer but hit his wife in her hip and leg before lodging in the young girl's hand.

Hermanus says his other children, who were also in the centre, are still trying to deal with the trauma. Adri and Henrico are still recovering in the Eugene Marais Hospital. Back to headlines

Drug dealer apologises for dressing as suicide bomber 2006/02/07 10:56:02 AM
It has emerged that the student who dressed as a suicide bomber during the Muslim anti-cartoon protests in London is a convicted drug dealer. Omar Khayam was released on parole last year.

He is still on license and could be sent back to jail if he has breached his conditions. Yesterday, he apologised for his actions during the demonstration. He said his moves were not meant to be offensive. Back to headlines

Traffic chaos claims more casualties 2006/02/07 09:16:34 AM
Four people have been injured, one seriously in a multiple car pile up on New Canada road in Soweto. Thirteen people have been hurt in rush hour traffic accidents.

In the early hours of this morning a truck driver died, when he lost control of the vehicle in Florida on the West Rand and crashed into a tree. It is understood that rainy conditions are to blame for many of the incidents. Back to headlines

Laundry murder case back in court 2006/02/07 09:14:45 AM
The laundromat murder case is back in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court today. Six people are accused of killing three workers at the dry cleaning business earlier this year.

It is alleged they assaulted the women and dumped them in laundry bins. The accused are expected to apply for bail this morning. Back to headlines

Kidnap accused to remain behind bars 2006/02/07 08:38:33 AM
A woman accused of kidnapping a baby in Pretoria will remain behind bars until later this month. Sibongile Mogotlane allegedly snatched two-month-old Temoso Mokotedi in the capital's CBD last week Thursday.

She was arrested at the weekend in Atteridgeville, following a tip-off. The baby was returned to her mother, safe and well. The 20-year-old suspect appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court yesterday. Back to headlines

Boy attacked by baboon still in hospital 2006/02/07 08:37:08 AM
The four-year old boy that was attacked by a baboon at the weekend will remain at the Red Cross Children's Hospital for the week. CJ Adams had been camping with his family near Koggel Bay when a fight broke out between two baboons.

One of the injured baboons stormed the little boy and attacked him. The child's grandmother, Joanna Adams says while he is still in pain, they are glad that he is alive.

Adams says the injuries are so severe that she did not think her grandson would survive. Back to headlines

Repairs in progress on 702 transmitter 2006/02/07 08:06:06 AM
Radio 702's management says it is not sure when it will resume broadcasting on the station's normal frequency.

The station went off-air following a devastating fire at 702's transmitter in Ga-Rankuwa on Saturday afternoon. We have since moved to 540am. It is the first frequency on the left hand side of the medium wave dial. Technicians are working round the clock to restore the transmitter.

702's Station Manager Pheladi Gwangwa says an assessment showed one of the 50 000 watt transmitters was totally destroyed. Gwangwa says 702 will continue to broadcast on 540 until it is repaired. Back to headlines

Israelis kill jihad member 2006/02/07 07:31:07 AM
Palestinian security sources say Israeli troops have killed a local commander of an Islamic jihad in the West Bank town of Nablus. The killing comes a day after Israelis killed two other militants in an air strike in Gaza. Back to headlines

Illegal Tsotsi DVDs on sale now 2006/02/07 07:29:32 AM
South Africa’s Oscar hopeful, Tsotsi has already fallen victim to piracy. The movie opened on national circuit at the weekend, but illegal copies are already being sold on street corners. Back to headlines

Bryanston skeleton still a mystery 2006/02/07 07:28:46 AM
Police say they are no closer to cracking the mystery surrounding a skeleton that was found in Bryanston in northern Johannesburg.

The skeletal remains of a woman were discovered buried in the backyard of a house in the area last month. Back to headlines

Human Rights Commission appeals for calm over cartoons 2006/02/07 07:16:00 AM
The Human Rights Commission has appealed for calm over the publication of a controversial cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist.

The cartoon has sparked riots worldwide with European embassies being targeted by Muslim protesters, who claim it constitutes hate speech. So far, at least four people have died and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed alarm at what is happening. He has also called for restraint.

Locally, a court interdict preventing newspapers from publishing the cartoon was issued on Friday, raising the ire of free speech activists and media houses.

The Human Rights Commission's Jody Kollapen says both the right to freedom of expression and the right to dignity of religion and cultural groups, need to be respected.

Danish diplomatic missions have been set ablaze in Lebanon and Syria. Last night the Danish Embassy in Tehran came under attack, as protestors threw petrol bombs at it and tried to break into the compound.

In Pretoria, police say they will only step up security around the Danish Embassy in Hatfield if they receive an official request. The embassy has been flooded with calls since the publication of a cartoon. Back to headlines

More relocations for Diepsloot residents 2006/02/07 07:02:28 AM
Community leaders in Diepsloot say they intend relocating a further 300 informal settlers from a dangerous flood plain in the area

Last week, dozens of squatters were moved away from the banks of a river, in which over 30 shacks were washed away and one person drowned. Back to headlines

Mozambique fearing cholera outbreak 2006/02/07 06:59:12 AM
Mozambique is bracing itself for a massive cholera outbreak after floods that followed weeks of heavy rains. Two people have already died of the waterborne disease in the central Sofala region. Back to headlines

Police meet those targeted in Kebble raids 2006/02/07 06:41:03 AM
702 Eyewitness News has learnt that police have met the two people who were targeted in pre-dawn raids by investigators in the Brett Kebble murder. Officials raided the homes of an advertising executive and a gym instructor simultaneously last week, and searched the premises for clues to the killing.

They even accused one of the men of being the hit man who took Kebble out. They left without making any arrests. A police official reportedly apologised for the incident, but senior police personnel have denied this. Back to headlines

Supersport player in court today over rape claims 2006/02/07 06:39:17 AM
Supersport United midfielder Sibusiso Mahlangu will appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court again today charged with rape.

The 23-year-old Atteridgeville-based player is alleged to have raped a 17-year-old after picking her up from a New Year’s Eve party in the township. Back to headlines

Government notices currency is too high 2006/02/07 06:38:31 AM
Trade union federation Cosatu has welcomed Deputy President's Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's acknowledgement that the rand is overvalued. Mlambo-Ngcuka heads the government's new growth initiative to halve unemployment by 2014.

She admitted yesterday that the currency has reached an undesirably high level. While the deputy president welcomed the growth rate, she says the strength of the rand could have a negative effect on job creation.

Cosatu's Patrick Craven says the rand's good run has to be curbed. Senior economist at Absa, Chris Hart says a strong currency is good for the country. Back to headlines

Sangomas in cahoots with crime syndicates 2006/02/07 06:36:57 AM
The Traditional Healers Organisation says it is willing to work with police in order to catch sangomas who are allegedly in cahoots with crime syndicates.

In an interview on Carte Blanche at the weekend, a cash-in-transit heist kingpin claimed he pays traditional healers a portion of the money he steals in return for ‘muti’, which some robbers believe protects them.

Sangoma Mthobeli Guma says healers who are involved in crime are bringing the practice into disrepute. Meanwhile, police are still hunting for a gang of robbers following a cash-in-transit heist near Heidelberg yesterday.

Three security guards were injured when the robbers forced their van off the road. A motorist was also shot and wounded in the incident. Back to headlines

Increased violence over prophet cartoons 2006/02/07 06:35:54 AM
Muslim protests against the publication of cartoons depicting the image of the prophet Mohammed are spreading and increasing in violence.

Last night the Danish Embassy in Tehran came under attack, but the protesters were kept under control by the heavy presence of riot police. Back to headlines