Gauteng premier warns taxi industry

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane has warned taxi operators not to stage disruptive protests against the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to be launched in Johannesburg next week, The Star reports. “The taxi industry can't be a law unto themselves,” Mokonyane said during a. . . .

Cope leaders flee angry mob

CHAOS erupted yesterday when three top leaders of the Congress of the People had to flee an angry crowd at an East London restaurant last night. Cope’s president, Mosiuoa Lekota, head of policy, Smuts Ngonyama, and national spokesperson, Phillip Dexter, had gone to the. . . .

Police shot dead 420 people in 2007/08

Police shot dead 420 people in 2007/08, an average of more than one person every day, the Star newspaper reports. According to figures by police watchdog, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), at least 191 suspects were shot during an arrest, 83 shot while allegedly. . . .

Thousands to welcome athletes home

South Africa's athletes are expected to be greeted by thousands of supporters when they arrive at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport from Berlin on Tuesday proudly bearing their two golds and one silver medal. Even the Congress of SA Trade Unions,. . . .

Girl gives birth at school

An 18-year-old schoolgirl gave birth at a school in Eersterus near Pretoria on Monday, the school principal said. Rakgotso High School principal Rufas Mokwe said they were alerted by other pupils that a girl was giving birth in the toilets and a female teacher had to assist. . . . .

New twist in Richter murder trial

The wife of murdered conservationist Franz Richter has lodged her second bail application in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on the grounds that Correctional Services has ordered that her 18-month-old baby be taken away from the prison from 1 September 2009. Seliwe. . . .

Springbok player nabbed for speeding

HIGH FLIER: Wynand OlivierBlue Bulls and Springbok centre Wynand Olivier was arrested for speeding on the N1 north highway near Midrand, Johannesburg metro police said today. “I was told by people that he is a rugby player, but what I can confirm is that a man driving a silver [Volkswagen] Golf 5 was. . . .

Swine flu toll rises to 9

NINE South Africans have died of swine flu since the disease broke out in the country on June 18. An unidentified person believed to have contracted swine flu died at the weekend. The swine flu variant of the H1N1 virus is expected to be confirmed as the cause of death today. A. . . .

Girl, 9, drowns in unfenced sewage dam

GRIM END: Emergency Services personnel carry awaythe body of Boitumelo Motlhokoane yesterday Picture: LEBOHANG MASHILOANEFriend allegedly pushed her in A NINE-year-old from Soweto has drowned in an unfenced sewage dam this weekend. Boitumelo Motlhokoane, who was cared for by her grandmother after her mother died in 2003, and her eight-year-old friend were playing near the sewage collection. . . .