South Africa

Pretoria - A technological glitch, which has slowed down the production of passports at the Department of Home Affairs, is receiving maximum attention.

Pretoria - Cabinet has expressed satisfaction with the running of the country's fourth democratic election and thanked South Africans for turning out in large numbers to make their mark.

Johannesburg - Testing stations in Johannesburg and certain Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) offices are expected to remain closed on Thursday due to a lack of staff.

Rustenburg - The French Gendarmerie and French National Police have partnered with the South African Police Services (SAPS) to train members in crowd control ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Standerton - Violence has again flared up in the Sakhile informal settlement near Standerton, with residents looting and burning down the shop of a foreign national.

Johannesburg - This weekend's Soweto Derby will be a good indication of the country's preparedness to especially handle large crowds, ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

Rustenburg - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has held simulated exercises at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium to showcase its preparedness to handle any type of disruptive behaviour that may arise at the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup.

Pretoria - The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is to receive a report on the three fires at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court that occurred this week.

Cape Town - The situation at the Holiday Inn Express, near the St George's Mall in Cape Town, where there was a bomb scare earlier this morning, has normalised.

Pretoria - While there is a need for good financial regulators, it is important that they do not hinder companies from operating properly, says National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel.

Bloemfontein - The Free State Department of Education is hoping to achieve nothing less than a 75 percent matric pass rate during this year's final examination.

Johannesburg - The appointment of Commissioner Anwar Dramat as the new Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) has been welcomed by Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA).

Midrand – Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Thursday clarified the situation between her department and the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), saying it was important to set the record straight.

Nelspruit - A senior citizens' parliament will be held in Mpumalanga on Friday to encourage the elderly to be part of the governance process.

Durban - Top South African celebrities will be amongst the at least 13 000 runners who will put their stamina to the test on Sunday when they take to the gruelling stretch of road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in the Comrades Marathon.