South Africa

Pretoria - The department of health has confirmed a diagnosis of the first case of H1N1, identified as swine flu, in South Africa.

Klerksdorp - The North West Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety has arrested seventeen taxi operators in the Klerksdorp area for allegedly possessing fraudulent taxi permits.

Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele today symbolically released 12 fallen political prisoners from Robben Island.

Pietermaritzburg - South Africa needs to strategically position libraries as partners in education to encourage a reading culture and a nation of critical thinkers.

The Access to Justice and Promotion of Constitutional Rights Programme, which will kick-off next month, will be used as a key mechanism to improve access to justice for all, particularly the marginalised, writes Proffesor Ndawonde.

Johannesburg - The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police, through Operation Nomakanjani, have arrested 150 motorists on charges of reckless and negligent driving.

Rustenburg - Municipalities in the North West are beefing up their disaster response and recovery management plans ahead of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Cape Town - In a bid to prevent further degradation of Cape Town's world famous coastline, the City has recommended that urgent steps be taken to establish a Coastal Protection Zone.

Pretoria - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) is planning to launch an intense marketing offensive in response to FIFA's call for more robust promotion of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has appointed new members to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board.

Pretoria - Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has assured first time ID applicants that they would receive their Identification Documents (ID) within a minimum of 40 days.

Cape Town - South Africa will soon be the only country to boast the Big 7, when the shark and the whale are added to the already well-know Big 5 tourist attractions in the country.

Johannesburg - More than 23 local television and music stars have joined the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) in urging members of the public to become regular blood donors.

Pretoria - Children starting school and starting at new schools anxiously walked to school accompanied by their parents this morning as inland schools reopened.

Cape Town - Government is to ensure that stiffer sentences for rapists and murderers are implemented.