South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the South African tourism sector following news that South Africa has increased its tourism figures.

Pretoria - Government has expressed shock at the regrettable shooting that occurred outside Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court on Monday and condemns the use of violence in solving any form of conflict.

Cape Town - The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Tom Moyane, told Parliament on Tuesday that his department was putting measures in place to tackle financial and performance challenges.

Sokhulumi - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson says more needs to be done to curtail soaring food prices for the country to improve food security at household level.

Cape Town - MPs today praised Team South Africa's Paralympians and thanked them for inspiring South Africans, while paying tribute to swimmer Natalie du Toit.

Musina - The Limpopo provincial government will invest more than R2 million towards the completion of the Mapungubwe Museum and Interpretation Centre.

Pretoria - The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has set a target of establishing 15 000 smallholder producers, with a particular focus on women.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says the courage and fighting spirit displayed by struggle veteran and former SABC boss, Zwelakhe Sisulu, should be used as inspiration in the battle against the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Pretoria - National Treasury says it has noted Standard and Poor's (S&P) decision to downgrade South Africa's long term foreign currency credit rating to BBB from BBB+ and the long term local currency credit rating to A- from A.

Pretoria - Crime Line has welcomed the launch of the South African Police Service's 'Operation Duty Calls' festive season campaign and has pledged to continue providing the public with a 100% anonymous and safe service to blow the whistle on crime.

Pretoria - Tourist arrivals to South Africa grew by 10.5% for the first six months of 2012, more than double the global average of 5% for the same period.

Pretoria - The Marikana Commission of Inquiry has appointed Advocate Phuti Setati as the secretary of the commission.

Pretoria - Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille has sent condolences to the family of the man who was killed on Saturday evening after a charter boat capsized offshore near Hout Bay on a popular sight-seeing trip.

Cape Town - Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies has warned micro-lenders involved in illegal activities that the National Credit Regulator (NCR) will bring them to book, after the regulator uncovered widespread abuse by at least 10 micro-lenders in Marikana.

Johannesburg - Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba is pleased that the strike in the transport sector has come to an end, but has expressed concern at current industrial action at certain coal mines.