South Africa

Pretoria - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) received a record four million tax returns for individuals and trusts during the 2009 tax season.

Pretoria - In a further effort to develop and strengthen economic and industrial trade, South Africa and Hungary have signed an Agreement on Economic Cooperation in Pretoria.

Cape Town - Government will continue to improve the country's healthcare system as well as finalise preparations for the establishment of the National Health Insurance system (NHI), says President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - South Africa and Zimbabwe have signed an agreement which will create an enabling and protective environment for investments made by nationals of both countries in each other's territories.

Pretoria - The repo rate will remain unchanged at 5.5%, the Reserve Bank said on Thursday.

Bloemfontein - Correctional Service Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has issued a stern warning to inmates who resort to violence to express their grievances, saying that they will be charged by the department.

Pretoria - While developed countries must commit to legally binding emission reduction targets, developing nations should commit to mitigate the effects of emissions, says President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - The South African Reserve Bank has announced that Dr Monde Mnyande and Brian Kahn have been appointed as advisors to the Governor, Gill Marcus.

Johannesburg - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka is expected to submit a proposal to amend the operations at municipalities when Cabinet meets this week.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address is encouraging to business, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said on Thursday.

Pretoria - The Department of Police on Friday launched the National Festive Season Crime-Fighting campaign.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has during a bilateral meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for world leaders to commit to legally binding emission reduction targets at the upcoming climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Pretoria - Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu and Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale have great respect for each other, the two departments have said.

Johannesburg - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka is expected to submit a proposal to amend operations at municipalities when Cabinet meets next week.

President Jacob Zuma, expressed satisfaction with the direction and future of the Commonwealth Group as he ended his visit to Trinidad and Tobago today Sunday (29 November 2009). The President attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit which began on Thursday 26 November 2009.