South Africa

Pretoria – The Department of Home Affairs says more officials will be stationed at the country’s ports of entry during the festive season.

Pretoria - The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) on Thursday announced that it had disbursed a total of R56.4 million to 169 small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the first six months of 2013/14.

Durban – For local governments to deal with urbanisation challenges, they must come up with policies that support youth development.

Antananarivo - Election campaigns in Madagascar for the presidential runoff in December will begin on Friday to field the two competitors Jean Louis Robinson and Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

Pretoria – Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Andries Nel says advances are being made in building an inclusive society and broadening opportunities for all.

Pretoria – Police in Limpopo have commended the sentencing of a Zimbabwean woman, who was found guilty of illegally smuggling explosives through the Beitbridge border post in October.

Pretoria –The Hawks on Wednesday seized drugs with a street value of R75 million in Kempton Park, in one of the biggest drug raids this year.

Pretoria – KwaZulu-Natal is set to take the 16 Days campaign beyond its current timeframe, with the provincial government having developed an action plan to curb gender-based violence throughout the year.

Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has described his state visit to Ghana as a great success which has enhanced bilateral relations between the two countries.

Pretoria - The Protection of Personal Information Bill has been signed into law by President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - A sudden stop of capital inflows because of tapering from the United States Federal Reserve is not anticipated in South Africa, said the Reserve Bank.

Pretoria – A 24-year-old man is expected to appear in the Kimberly Magistrate Court today for raping a six-week-old baby, on Tuesday, in Galeshewe.

Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who died in a horrific taxi accident on the N14 highway near the R511 off-ramp, near Diepsloot, on Wednesday morning.

Pretoria - Revered liberation struggle stalwart Reginald September is to receive a special provincial official funeral, says the Presidency.

Pretoria – Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says the electronic monitoring of domestic violence offenders can play a big role in protecting victims of this crime.