South Africa

Pretoria - The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will finance 12 of the 28 preferred bidders to contribute to the country's energy mix.

Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has laid down the law to the police and criminals in the North West at the official opening of the Jourberton Police Station on Thursday.

Pretoria - It was a tough-talking Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who met with the media on Thursday, in what was the acting National Police Commissioner's first public appearance.

Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has condemned incidents in Johannesburg in which learners where forced out of school to join today's ANC Youth League's march.

Pretoria - The Presidency has noted weekend newspaper reports implying that President Jacob Zuma may have misled the National Assembly when he said he had a mortgage bond on his residence in Nkandla.

Cape Town - Eskom has announced that its profits for the six-month period beginning on April 1 and ending 30 September 2012 dropped to R12.6 billion from R12.8 billion a year ago. Releasing the power utility's interim results on Tuesday, Eskom CEO Brian Dames said the seasonal nature of the business could mean an even steeper decline in profits by year end.

Johannesburg - While South Africa has no crisis in terms of water security, the country had to put in the necessary effort to prevent severe shortages that could lead to serious social and economic challenges, the Department of Water Affairs said Thursday.

Johannesburg - The Office of Health Standards Compliance operating in the National Department of Health is starting to see some improvements, says Health Director-General Precious Matsoso.

Pretoria - African airlines should work together to improve operating conditions on the continent, says acting South African Airways (SAA) chief executive officer Vuyisile Kona.

Johannesburg - Effective partnerships are needed in the fight against climate change and in the quest to create green jobs, which are heavily reliant on continued economic growth, says Economic Development Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.

Pretoria - Government is intensifying the war on cable theft through the training of designated second-hand goods police officers, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Pretoria - Government says it will actively participate in multilateral bodies and partner in efforts to boost production and productivity in the continent and to advance food security.

Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has cracked the whip on station commanders in the Eastern Cape, giving them 24 hours to address issues raised by communities in the area.

Durban - A total of 25 138 work opportunities have been created in KwaZulu-Natal through the Expanded Public Works Program from April to September this year.

East London - A R10 million solar thermal plate manufacturing plant opened in the Eastern Cape could go a long way in addressing power shortages in the province.