South Africa

Pretoria – The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will this week embark on preliminary oversight visits to the City of Tshwane, starting on Tuesday.

Pretoria - The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training will this week conduct oversight visits to Wits University and Further Education and Training (FET) institutions in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Mbombela - Grade 12 learners in Mpumalanga have until September 30 to apply for bursaries to further their education.

Pretoria - Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti has unveiled the Animal and Veld Management Programme (AVMP), which is aimed at providing relief for farmers in rural areas.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is in the United Kingdom to promote investment, especially in South Africa’s mining industry.

Durban – The inter-governmental, multibillion rand Cornubia Development, situated north of Durban, has become a reality, as 482 housing units are ready for occupation, eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo said today.

Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma’s decision to refer the Protection of State Information Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration was because it did not pass constitutional muster - and was not an electioneering ploy.

Pretoria – Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says a Bill aimed at appointing a commissioner to deal with Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) non-compliance has been referred to the National Council of Provinces.

Pretoria – Government has refuted allegations that visits by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to certain areas, in particular Tlokwe, are being targeted to receive food parcels ahead of the by-elections there.

Pretoria - The Auditor-General has declared the South African National Road Agency (SANRAL) financial statements for the year that ended in March as fairly presented in all material respects.

Pretoria - South Africa has ratified the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade in Services, which seeks to free the sector in the 14-member trade bloc.

Pretoria - The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, says he cannot make a unilateral decision on the appointment vacancies in the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

Pretoria – Education stakeholders have been invited to study the draft on minimum uniform norms and standards for school infrastructure and provide comments by 11 October 2013.

Durban – The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, says he will not resign over calls from opposition parties and the media following the tragic death of 22 people in Field’s Hill, Pinetown, last week.

Pretoria - The Ministry of State Security has joined political parties and analysts in welcoming President Jacob Zuma’s decision to send the Protection of State Information Bill back to the National Assembly.