August 15, 2012
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:

Civil rights organization Section 27 says Gauteng’s health department is badly managed.

Libyan fighters join the Syrian revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

And, Mali’s army says the Economic Community Of West African States’ troops are only welcome in the North.

Civil rights NGO Section 27 says that the Gauteng health department's poor financial management is seriously impacting on patient well-being within public health facilities.

The NGO says it has noted reports relating to the shortages in staff at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital and reports of the shocking impact this is having on services in the hospital. However, it added that the crisis at CMH is a manifestation of a far larger problem, which relates to inadequate budgeting processes and poor management within the Gauteng Department of Health (or GDOH).

Section 27 says whenever problems within the GDOH are made public, the department first denies there is a problem and then shifts spending instead of addressing core issues.

The GDOH has overspent its budget for the past seven years and as a result, every year it accumulates increased debt.

Trained sniper Hussam Najjar says that veteran fighters of last year's civil war in Libya have come to the front-line in Syria, helping to train and organise rebels under conditions far more dire than those in the battle against Muammar Gaddafi.

Najjar was part of the rebel unit that stormed Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli a year ago.

The Libyans aiding the Syrian rebels include specialists in communications, logistics, humanitarian issues and heavy weapons. They operate training bases, teaching fitness and battlefield tactics.

Mali's military on Tuesday rejected the deployment of any foreign West African soldiers to the capital, saying any regional intervention could only take place in the North of the country. This area is currently occupied by Islamist groups.

The comments are likely to dismay regional leaders who have been seeking to shore up a weak civilian administration in Bamako before helping the local army take on a mix of gunmen including some from al Qaeda.

Although soldiers have since handed power back to civilians, they have been accused of continued political meddling. Concerned at the prospect of a terrorist safe haven in the desert North, African and Western leaders have made stabilising the capital a priority.

Also making headlines:

The UN starts food airdrops in South Sudan for Sudanese refugees.

Power developers are deeply frustrated by South Africa’s regulatory obstacles.

And, the Bench Marks Foundation says stricter laws are needed to bar politicians from mining boards.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.