Latest news and views in Brief
From the SA Press Association: North West premier Thandi Modise’s excuse for buying a R1.3 million BMW 750i is a slap in the face for the people of the province, the DA said on Monday. “Premier Modise simply ignored the new policy and bought herself the most expensive car she could find,” Democratic Alliance North … Read more
From the SA Press Association: A man who has been dead since October 2012 received an sms warning that he had overdue e-toll fees of R612.21, the Beeld newspaper reported on Saturday. “I did not know whether I should laugh or cry when I received the sms [on December 30]. My father last registered a … Read more
From DPA: Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry announced Friday it had filed suit against Typo Keyboards, a California startup founded by TV star Ryan Seacrest, charging the company’s new iPhone case with an integrated keyboard copied BlackBerry’s design. “This is a blatant infringement against BlackBerry’s iconic keyboard, and we will vigorously protect our intellectual property against … Read more
From Associated Press: Zimbabwe’s agriculture ministry says it is importing 150,000 tons of corn, the nation’s staple food, from neighbouring South Africa to avert a looming food crisis as millions face starvation. Deputy Agriculture Minister Davis Marapira said Friday the government had so far received 300 tons which will be distributed to hard-hit parts of … Read more
By Alec Hogg There are a handful of globally competitive South African businesses. SAB Miller was the pioneer. It’s being joined by a growing number of others. After a shaky start Old Mutual is getting into that league. Judging by its success with French retailer Conforama, Steinhoff is also graduating into that elite club. Investec, … Read more
By Frances D’Emilio of Associated Press: ROME – Shares in Fiat soared on Thursday on the news the Italian automaker will take full ownership of Chrysler, but some Italian unions worried what the deal will mean for jobs and investments in the country. In a New Year’s day announcement, Fiat Spa said it could complete … Read more
By Adam Wakefield of SA Press Association: The number of road deaths between December 1 and 30 last year would likely be the highest recorded since 2007, an advanced driving skills company said on Thursday. A total of 1184 deaths took place over this period, or 39.5 deaths per day,www.driving.co.za managing director Rob Handfield-Jones said in … Read more
From SAPA-AP: Rwanda’s former spy chief has been found dead, possibly strangled, in a luxury hotel in South Africa, police said Thursday, and opposition leaders immediately accused President Paul Kagame of ordering his assassination. The opposition coalition Rwandan National Congress said Patrick Karegeya, a former colonel and longtime Kagame ally in war who turned against … Read more
From the SA Press Association: Four amounts of what appear to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of about R68 million, have been found off Mossel Bay’s beaches since Christmas, Western Cape police said on Thursday. In the latest haul, a drum containing a black bag with 25 bricks of what appeared to be … Read more
From the SA Press Association: The Employment Tax Incentive Act, commonly known as the youth wage subsidy, came into effect at midnight, SABC news reported on Wednesday. It is aimed at alleviating youth unemployment, estimated at 70 percent, by offering employers incentives to hire young people. The Congress of SA Trade Unions had opposed the … Read more