South Africa

Pretoria - The petrol price among all grades of petrol is to rise by between 21 and 23 cents in October, the Energy Department said on Friday.

Mbombela - Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has released the province's latest crime statistics on Friday with the figures reflecting a 7% decrease in the overall category of contact crimes, although murder went up 1%.

Pretoria - The Producer Price Index (PPI) slowed to 5.4% in July from 6.6% in June, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Thursday.

Johannesburg - The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) on Friday released its long awaited investigation report on the Metrorail Soweto train crash that left 857 commuters injured.

Pretoria - Government has welcomed President Jacob Zuma's invitation to serve on UN Secretary -General Ban Ki-Moon's Education First Initiative which is aimed at promoting the achievement of quality, relevant and inclusive education for all in the world.

Pretoria - Head of the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up to coordinate and lead all support to families of those who died in Marikana two weeks ago, Collins Chabane, visited the grief-stricken family of Stelega Gadlela in neighbouring Swaziland on Thursday.

Lady Frere - Social grant fraud in the Eastern Cape is being dealt a serious blow with the issuing of new bank cards as part of a new biometric system which is being implemented across the country.

Cape Town - Improving economic support for women is not an act of charity, but is a way to ensure more growth and development, the Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel said on Thursday.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Education Department says all systems are in place at schools to ensure that the Grade 12 preliminary examinations run smoothly.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma and his Botswana counterpart President Seretse Khama Ian Khama have signed an agreement establishing a Bi-National Commission, which will be convened annually.

Pretoria - Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba on Friday confirmed the resignations of eight members of the SAA board, while also announcing the appointment of new board members.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated swimmer Natalie du Toit for becoming the first South African to win a gold medal for Team South Africa in the London Paralympics Games on Thursday.

Johannesburg - Governance remains the biggest challenge facing Africa, says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Johannesburg - The Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) and its precursor the MeerKAT will create enormous opportunities and alter the image of South Africa and the continent, says Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.

Pretoria - The Marikana Commission of Inquiry, set up to probe the tragic events at Lonmin Platinum mine in the North West, will be open to the public, according to a statement issued by the commission on Friday.