Tuesday, February 3, 2009
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Amy Witherden.
Making headlines:
The legal team of African National Congress President Jacob Zuma, failed to meet yesterday's deadline to file papers at the Constitutional Court challenging last month's Supreme Court of Appeal ruling.
The Constitutional Court rejected Zuma's attorney Michael Hulley's electronic filing of the application for leave to appeal, as hard copies of the papers are required by law. This application forms part of Zuma's strategy to be cleared of all charges.
Meanwhile, the SCA's January judgement effectively reactivated the charges against Zuma. The ANC leader and arms company Thint will appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court tomorrow to face corruption charges again.
The ANC expects around 15 000 devotees to arrive at the courthouse in support of their Presidential candidate. The party is planning an election rally to coincide with the event.

In African news, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been elected chairperson of the African Union. He made it clear that he would pursue his vision of a United States of Africa in his year-long term, despite reluctance from many AU members.
Gaddafi told fellow AU leaders that his project to create a united continental government would be approved at the next meeting in July, unless there is a majority against it.
Gaddafi, supported by some AU members, such as Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade, has been pushing for a unity government for years. Other States, led by South Africa, see the idea as a distant and impractical prospect. All 53 AU members have, however, said that they agree with the idea in principle.

Back in South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission says that political parties must ensure "unhindered public participation" during political campaigning for elections.

IEC spokesperson Kate Baphela says that the commission is "concerned and dismayed by the signs of disregard for the freedom of association and the right to assemble for political campaigning", which was demonstrated in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend.
Baphela said that political parties need to uphold the principles of a mature democracy by ensuring unhindered public participation during campaigning. She also emphasised the values of peace and tolerance among political parties.
Meanwhile, accusations fly among the parties involved or affected by political violence and intimidation.
Also making headlines:
The new US administration tones down on rhetoric against Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.
The European Union pledges €300-million for African peacekeeping.
And, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel is expected to follow the course indicated in October's Medium Term Budget, at next week's budget policy announcement.
That's a roundup of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories, visit polity.org.za.