South Africa

Vosloorus - Government has put in place a strategy to recruit and retain more social workers in the public sector.

Nelspruit - Mpumalanga police arrested 14 799 people in police operations that ran from 1 October 2008 until Monday along all national and provincial roads.

Pretoria - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Wednesday that it has served subpoenas to witnesses from whom it sought cooperation with regard to the investigation into suspended National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Willow Park - The community of Willow Park, made up of abandoned farm workers, has started to see progress in the North West Department of Local Government and Housing's plans to build 60 emergency houses for them to occupy.

Cairo - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began an intensive mission to try to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, as the reported death toll from Israel's 19-day offensive against Hamas topped 1 000.

Johannesburg - Political parties registered to contest the 18 May municipal elections in Gauteng have signed a code of conduct aimed at creating a conducive environment consistent with democratic elections.

Pretoria - Rural safety, improved service delivery and safety at the country's schools were all high on the Police Ministry's agenda, Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.

Johannesburg - With only three games left before the end of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) says its happy with the manner in which the tournament was run in South Africa.

Johannesburg - City-owned buildings will go dark for one hour on Friday, 27 March in support of Earth Hour, the climate change initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Johannesburg - Deputy Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula says Government is happy with the general security at Confederations Cup matches.

Washington - Washington is rolling into high gear with less than a week left before Barack Obama is sworn in as the United States' first-ever African-American President.

Pretoria - The voters' roll is now officially closed for the 18 May local government elections.

Johannesburg - Despite the current global economic meltdown, the Gautrain project has created and sustained 63 000 jobs.

Pretoria - Test results have confirmed that the Tubatse River in Limpopo is not contaminated with cholera but officials have urged residents living near the river to continue to boil water before drinking and other use as a precautionary measure.

Although South African motorists can for the moment enjoy the sudden travellers euphoria after the price of unleaded 93 octane dropped by R1.36 in January, fuel increases in 2009 are likely on the horizon some economists believe, writes Michael Appel.