IN A bid to avert a damaging split, the African National Congress (ANC) top brass plans to extend an olive branch to disgruntled members.

At least three people have been confirmed dead in Johannesburg, South Africa, in an outbreak of what officials believe to be contagious hemorrhagic fever.

AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma last night praised former president Thabo Mbeki's contribution to SA and the rest of the continent.

SOUTH African investors should not panic, despite the huge sell-off of equities worldwide in which markets have shed up to a third of their value so far this year.

But SA's import cover is down to 17 weeks from 20 weeks earlier in the year, and 26 weeks is desirable

Botswana has said that South Africa's deposed president, Thabo Mbeki should intervene to break the deadlock over the sharing of cabinet posts in Zimbabwe. Mbeki mediated the Zimbabwe power-sharing deal.

ZIMBABWE has been placed on high alert following reports of a mysterious flu-like disease that has so far claimed four lives in neighbouring South Africa, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Pari-renyatwa, said last night.

WHILE the Premier Soccer League's (PSL's) dispute and resolution chamber ruled yesterday that striker Siphelele Mthembu's contract with Orlando Pirates was valid, the long-running dispute between the Bucs and fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs over the player is far from over.

THE top 50 companies spent R144,8m to comply with the tax laws last year, says a new study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) yesterday.

The new African National Congress (ANC) leadership has given assurances that South Africa will continue supplying power to Botswana until 2013. The Botswana Minister for Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, said he was given the assurances when he met with the new ANC top brass early this year to discuss power supply problems to Botswana.

Former Bafana Bafana and Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune is on trial in Italy at Serie B side Brescia.

Former Golden Arrows midfielder Tekane 'Shoes' Ledimo has resurfaced at KwaZulu-Natal Vodacom League side, Sobantu Shooting Stars.

They say lightning can't strike twice in same place, but Thanda Royal Zulu are preparing to disprove that when they play Orlando Pirates in the Last 16 of the Telkom Knockout that kicks off next weekend.

The future ownership of Newcastle United remains in doubt despite reports of a bidding deadline.

Bafana Bafana captain and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena has attracted the attention of fellow English Premiership side Bolton Wanderers.

The tug-of-war between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates regarding the registration of Siphelele Mthembu is finally over, after the PSL's DRC ruled in favour of the Buccaneers.

Mamelodi Sundowns have been found guilty on two charges of misconduct and fined R100 000 by the PSL's Disciplinary Committee after a hearing held at the League's office this evening.

Amnesty International today said that those displaced by May’s xenophobic violence in South Africa face serious threats to their safety, as the last remaining camps for the displaced are closed and their asylum-claims are overwhelmingly rejected.

The top United Nations human rights official today condemned the brutal killing of a Somali family in South Africa, and urged the authorities to take immediate action to protect foreigners from any further attacks.

The successful conclusion of arms manufacturer Denel's turnaround strategy, and its future long-term sustainability as a going concern, require additional state funding of R1,7bn, former CEO Shaun Liebenberg said in his last report before his departure from the group.

PANIC erupted in world markets yesterday with stocks and commodities continuing to take a battering as the credit crisis spread across the globe.

South African telecoms company Telkom will over the next month deploy its own third generation (3G) wireless network across the country.

South African markets recuperated somewhat this morning after enduring one of their worst days in years yesterday.

The Gauteng Department of Health has assured the public that they are taking all necessary measures to prevent the further spread of an unknown disease that could have claimed four lives.

A MYSTERIOUS disease with symptoms of flu, bleeding and vomiting suspected to have originated from Zambia has claimed four lives in South Africa.