South Africa

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.

Pretoria - The Western Cape has proven to be the best in the country when it comes to tourism and hospitality after the province came tops during the inaugural Lilizela Tourism Awards held in Pretoria on Thursday night.

Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma has sent the Protection of State Information Bill back to the National Assembly over concern that two sections in the bill are unconstitutional.

Pretoria - Social partners from organised labour and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have stressed the continued need for social dialogue in addressing the plight of workers in their respective places of employment.

Lichtenburg - More than 2 000 jobs are expected to be created in a R1.1 billion limestone mine and cement manufacturing plant currently under construction in the North West province.

Pretoria - The North West administration is in the process of developing a freight transport strategy, including a passenger and freight rail plan, for the province.

Pretoria – The Presidency has welcomed the debate that has ensued following comments by President Jacob Zuma on the role of the media in nation building and balanced reporting.

Pretoria – Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has handed over 1 000 houses that were built as a result of his service delivery intervention.

Pretoria - Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe says the harshest of sentences must be given to those who conduct themselves in brutal ways against innocent children.

Pretoria - The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says it is closely monitoring all strike and protest action underway in the country from their joint operational centre in Pretoria.

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Marius Fransman, is in Bogota, the Republic Colombia, for the final leg of his four- nation visit to Latin America and the Caribbean.