South Africa

Pretoria - The South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) has commended the new Mandela banknotes that came into circulation on Tuesday.

Pretoria - The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, on Tuesday officially filed court papers at the Cape High Court challenging the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry by Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille.

Johannesburg - Most categories of crime is on the decline in Gauteng, according to figures presented by Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros on Tuesday.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Health Department has temporarily closed the Folateng Unit at Pretoria West Hospital to allow the process of replacing chiller plants to continue seamlessly, in an effort to improve the quality of healthcare offered at the facility.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has on Wednesday led a South African delegation to Ghana for a visit that will elevate the level of cooperation in energy security and energy-related technology.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says government is making progress in reviewing its disciplinary code and procedures that address the slow pace of filling funded vacancies.

Pretoria - Cabinet has approved the hosting of the 2012 Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) Leadership Conference in South Africa.

Cape Town - Relations between South Africa and Panama were given a boost on Thursday with the signing of an agreement between the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Marius Fransman and his Panama counterpart, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Alvarez de Soto.

Pretoria - The Northern Cape Social Development Department has allocated R6.9 million to the provincial Victim Empowerment Programme for the 2012/13 financial year.

Pretoria - 49M, South Africa's biggest energy saving movement, has called on all South Africans to save energy this winter.

Pretoria - Government on Thursday formally invited manufacturers in South Africa and the world to submit their bids to win the right to build 7 224 metro coaches estimated at R123 billion.

Pretoria - Cabinet has called on South Africans and citizens abroad to observe Freedom Day on 27 April, by sparing a thought for past struggle heroes and heroines.

Pretoria - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane says she has noted media reports pertaining to the MEC for Local Government and Housing Humphrey Mmemezi and has requested a formal response from him before making a determination.

Pretoria - National Treasury has refuted comments by the Young Communist League (YCL) over a pilot project on the youth wage subsidy.

Pretoria - Policies on information and communications technology (ICT) should be aligned with government's developmental goals and address the challenges facing the industry, says Communications Minister Dina Pule.