South Africa

Pretoria - In an effort to promote compliance and to get taxpayers to file their returns early, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is to set up help points in several malls.

Pretoria - People receiving antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) and on chronic medication will for the duration of the public service strike be able to collect their medication at any public health facility.

Pretoria - Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu says that operating hours at small health facilities have been extended to deal with the influx of patients during the public servants strike.

Boksburg – Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has urged professional bodies to help nurture young talent and assist the youth to gain skills in their particular professional areas.

Mbombela - The delayed registration of ambulances is the reason behind the shortage of the emergency vehicles in Mpumalanga three years ago.

Komatipoort - The Nkomazi municipality in Mpumalanga will enforce a court interdict to stop people from settling on land given to beneficiaries of a 9 000ha land claim near Komatipoort.

Pretoria - Motorists will be given some relief when the price of petrol decreases next Wednesday.

Tzaneen - More than 4 000 municipal workers are expected to take part in the 2010 Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Games to be held in Tzaneen, Limpopo, later this month.

Pretoria - Education MEC Barbara Creecy says she is deeply worried about this year's matriculants who are only a few weeks away from sitting for their final exams.

Cape Town - The world's global financial institutions as well as UN organisations must be overhauled if developing nations are to tackle poverty, says the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

Pretoria - Special call centres have been set up by the Home Affairs Department to assist with the issuing of death certificates, travel documents and work permits during the public sector strike.

Pretoria - Government is concerned that it has fallen behind the private sector with regard to the employment of people with disabilities.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi has called on essential service employees who are taking part in the public service strike to return to work as a matter of urgency.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has reiterated that whilst government fully understands workers frustrations caused by low salaries, protest actions should be undertaken within the ambit of the law and basic human decency.

Pretoria - The South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) officials have now been deployed to 53 hospitals across the country to provide health care while the public service strike continues.