South Africa

Pretoria - The new Department of Environmental Affairs head office in Pretoria has become the first government building to receive a six star Green Star rating.

Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says rehabilitation and reintegration of convicts is central to his department attaining its goal of turning around inmates.

Pretoria - The new R1.4 billion Natalspruit Hospital is expected to open its doors to patients in a few months.

Pretoria – Labour unrest and above inflation wage demands from the mining and agricultural sectors will put a dent on economic growth.

Pretoria - Bafana Bafana have left for Cameroon, where they will face the Central African Republic (CAR) in a key 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Cape Town – Parliament is pulling out all the stops to ensure that South Africa will soon have its first national DNA data base, a resource that, while not seen as a golden bullet, will improve conviction rates and reduce crime.

Vereeniging - The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng has destroyed thousands of weapons at ArcelorMittal’s steel processing plant.

Pretoria - Business confidence suffered a setback in May, falling to 90.4, which is 1.9 index points lower than in April, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Tuesday.

Cape Town – The Minister of Communications Dina Pule has told Parliament that she has been able to keep her department in order despite the absence of her director-general Rosey Sekese, who has been away from office since returning to the department in April following a Labour Court ruling in her favour.

Pretoria – Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor has become the first person to receive a smart ID card.

Pretoria – Mineral and Resources Minister Susan Shabangu says a review of the Kimberly Process organisation’s functions will put a dent on trade in conflict diamonds.

Pretoria – Government says it is encouraged by the turnaround occurring in Eldorado Park, and has urged other communities to work together with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on suspected drug kingpins.

Pretoria - The South African National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL) has received international recognition after winning a technology award for its Open Road Tolling Project, commonly known as the e-tolling system.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has invited the public to make inputs on the recently gazetted Public Administration Management (PAM) Bill.

Pretoria - About six liquor outlets were closed down following an inspection blitz by officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the South African Police Service.