South Africa

Pretoria - A total of 1023 people have died on the country's road since the beginning of the festive season.

Pretoria - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has collected 4.86 million income tax returns in the 2011 tax season.

Pretoria - More than 78 000 driving licences have been cancelled and suspended across the country over the past five years.

Cape Town - Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has indicated plans to speed up the processing of the long-awaited Criminalisation of Torture Bill of 2003.

Pretoria - Leader of the Minority Front political party, Amichand Rajbansi, 69, has died.

Pretoria - Messages of condolences are pouring in after the shock and untimely death of Minority Front Leader Amichand Rajbansi, who passed away on Thursday.

Pretoria - Police have been urged to clamp down on non-compliance with the Liquor Act and stamp their authority against illegal liquor trading, violation of trading hours and illegal bashes ahead of New Year festivities.

Pretoria - As traffic volumes are expected to increase today ahead of the New Year, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele is urging motorists not to drink and drive.

Pretoria - The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced the appointment of Cash Paymaster Services (Pty) Ltd as the new contractor for the payment of social grants.

Cape Town - The National Institute for the Deaf (NID) has called for sign language to be recognised as one of the official languages in South Africa.

Pretoria - Thousands of learners from inland provinces start their academic year today, with many brave Grade 1s beginning their 12 years of schooling.

Pretoria - Learners in Gauteng who have qualified for supplementary exams can now register for free preparatory classes, which will be offered for various subjects

Cape Town - Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee looking into the Protection of State Information Bill has adopted an ambitious public hearing drive aimed at getting maximum input from as many South Africans as possible.

Pretoria - Schools in the North West, which were hit by storms last week, are today reopening for the 2012 academic year, along with all other schools in inland provinces.

Pretoria - The SA National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has denied that its e-toll accounts terms and conditions were either unfair or illegal, as reported in a Gauteng newspaper.