South Africa

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs has promised the "smooth movement" of all travellers entering and leaving the country this festive season.

Mbombela - Trans African Concessions, the concessionaire that operates the N4 toll road from Pretoria to Maputo, says un-roadworthy vehicles and speeding are the major causes of serious accidents.

Pretoria - Acting President, Kgalema Motlanthe has conceded that government could have handled the matter of Nelson Mandela's admittance to hospital better.

Polokwane - The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism has sent a warning about a possible renewed poaching onslaught on rhinos during the festive season.

Pretoria - Motorists will be disappointed to learn that a litre of petrol will rise by 26 cents across all grades next Wednesday.

Phalaborwa - The Kruger National Park has launched a pilot project in which it allows members of local communities to harvest mopani worms in what it says will be a sustainable manner.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says the time has come for "concrete action" to develop Africa's infrastructure.

Mbombela - Mpumalanga's rugby team the Pumas will play all their Currie Cup games at the Mbombela stadium.

Pretoria - Chief of the South African Air Force Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano has expressed concern about the continuing poaching of pilots from the defence force by local and foreign aviation industries.

Pretoria - A unit at the Koeberg nuclear power plant is to be shut down this weekend after higher than normal levels of radioactivity in Unit 1's primary coolant circuit have been reported.

Pretoria - The South African Development Team is back in the country after being knocked out of the 2nd Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN), currently underway in Sudan.

There has been mounting concern about the health of our former President, Dr. N Mandela. We wish to confirm that Dr. Mandela was admitted to Milpark Hospital earlier this week and underwent a few specialised investigations.

Soweto - It was a different sort of work day on Friday for the thousands of police officers who daily put their lives on the line.

Pretoria - Access and the participation of women and girls in the field of science and technology will be the focus of this year's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is set to deliver the 2011 national budget this week, with business looking forward to a speech which will boost business confidence following a global recession.