South Africa

Pretoria - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has strongly condemned the political intolerance which erupted in certain parts of the country in the recent weeks.

Ixopo - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is committed to make the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) service more accessible to communities, targeting non-medical sites.

Pretoria - Cash strapped consumers have been given another reprieve - the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has reduced the repo rate by a further 100 basis points.

Western Cape - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is currently assisting with the provision of water in the Western and Eastern Cape, after recent water shortages.

Pretoria - World football governing body FIFA says in the second phase of sales, tickets for the opening match, semi-finals and the final of the 2010 World Cup have been sold out.

Pretoria - The South African Rail Commuter Cooperation (SRCC) has launched an investigation into the cause of the two train accidents on Monday which left many commuters injured.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma took 17 young girls to work with him today as part of the "Take a Girl to Work Day" initiative which aims to give youngsters a taste of the workplace.

Pretoria - Government has appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not to create a false impression that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) is accessible by all South Africans, regardless of their economic standing.

Johannesburg - Gauteng's departments of Community Safety and Public Transport and Roads are embarking on a campaign to recall all unlicensed vehicles in the province.

Komatipoort - Mpumalanga's Department of Health and Social Services has nominated a Komatipoort paramedic for the national Centrum Guardian Project Award.

Pretoria - The Department of Labour has issued a statement warning employers and workers to be on alert of a bogus company named "Labour Wise".

Johannesburg - Celebrity DJ and entrepreneur Sbu "DJ Sbu" Leope has urged South African youth to epitomise the spirit Ubuntu during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup which kicks-off in two weeks.

The Mpumalanga Department of Education is ready to ensure that the 2009 examinations commence and end without hassles. Plans are in place to ensure that the examinations unfold smoothly.

Pretoria - Transport Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele is confident South Africa's transportation system will be effective during the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup.

Harare - The European Union has expressed satisfaction with the progress that Zimbabwe's inclusive government has made so far in addressing challenges facing the country.