South Africa

Pretoria - The number of rhinos that have been lost to poaching since the beginning of this year has risen to 488, the Department of Environmental Affairs says.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will undertake a two-day state visit to the neighbouring Republic of Botswana on Wednesday.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health says it has developed a detailed action plan to address the Auditor General's findings in its 2011-2012 annual report.

Pretoria - Investment in South Africa's water resources needs to double in the next 10 years if the country is to meet the growing demand, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Monday.

Pretoria - The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the Department of Labour and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism is hosting the South Africa Maritime Industry Careers Expo and Jobs Summit in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this week.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Provincial Government departments have spent R18 billion in the first quarter of 2012, the provincial treasury said in its Revenue, Expenditure and Cash Flow Report.

Pretoria - A final round of talks between government and stakeholders on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme (GFIP) got underway in Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon.

Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize on Sunday led a strong team of MECs and political leaders who took part in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon, which pays tribute to the contributions of former President Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters.

Pretoria - The Presidency on Wednesday said it was disappointed by what it described as "unfortunate utterances" attributed to former UNISA vice-chancellor, Dr Barney Pityana, during the Neil Aggett Memorial Lecture.

Pretoria - The Ministry in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has announced the expiry of the contract of the Chief Executive Officer of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and Cabinet spokesperson, Jimmy Manyi.

Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has sent condolences to the family of the Correctional Services official who was shot and killed by awaiting trial detainees that escaped from the Barkley East Correctional Centre in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.

Pretoria - Except for only a few challenges, the Department of Basic Education says the preliminary reports on the 2012 Annual National Assessments (ANA) received from the provincial departments indicate that overall, the tests were a resounding success.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health has assured Leratong Hospital users that healthcare services are not disrupted following the shooting incident that took place this morning.

Johannesburg - Learners, who hitch hike, from schools along Broadway Street were in for a shock on Tuesday when they were confronted by Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy and the police.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has sent condolences to President Hugo Chavez, as well as to the government and the people of Venezuela, following the fatal explosion at the country's largest oil refinery at Amuay over the weekend.