South Africa

Johannesburg - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has urged health professionals to abide by their calling and treat all patients with the dignity they deserve.

Nqetho - The Department of Social Development is to assist the family members of the man who committed suicide after failing to get an Identity Document, by building them a house.

Pretoria - The current global economic crisis has had a negative impact on the skills and development sector resulting in the decline of training budgets, according to the Presidency.

Johannesburg - Government is not doing enough to reduce the number of mothers who die during childbirth and the rate of infant mortality, says Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

Pretoria – North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the latest incident of police brutality after an officer from Lomanyaneng police station, near Mahikeng, allegedly grabbed a complainant by the neck and dragged him behind a state vehicle for about 100 metres.

Pretoria - The Department of Police is considering reintroducing the Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units after they were transferred to local police stations in 2006.

Johannesburg - A specialised police unit has been formed to strengthen the fight against crime in Johannesburg.

Johannesburg - The Department of Health has ordered more of the the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, to the value of R30 million, from international pharmaceutical companies as the number of people infected by H1N1 Influenza increases in the country.

Pretoria - The Department of Health has warned people who buy saliva from Tuberculosis-infected people that there is no automatic financial benefit for having TB.

Pretoria - National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele says the recent busts made by the South African Police Services was an indication that crime would not be tolerated.

Johannesburg - Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said South Africa is committed to reducing its emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), but for the country to achieve this, it would require extensive international financial and technical support.

Pretoria - The Presidential Hotline has recorded high call volumes on its second day of operation.

Johannesburg - The new Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities has made a commitment to work with health professionals to ensure that women have easy access to health services.

Pretoria - The launch of the much-awaited R26 million Sumbandila Satellite has been postponed.

Johannesburg - Witwatersrand University management have said they will take swift disciplinary action against those who disrupt lectures.