SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN – The National Assembly's public works committee shelves the controversial draft Expropriation Bill because of a lack of proper consultation. Committee chairperson Thandi Tobias-Pokolo says the committee hopes the bill will be reintroduced when Parliament reconvenes in 2009. The bill has drawn sharp criticism from many civil organisations and political parties, who claim that it will allow for the expropriation of any property "in the public interest". However, government is adamant that its introduction will speed up land reform and the delivery of essential services.
JOHANNESBURG – Former law and order minister Adrian Vlok and four senior apartheid-era policemen apply for a presidential pardon for the attempted murder of Reverend Frank Chikane, now director-general in the Presidency. Last year the men were given suspended sentences for their part in the 1989 poisoning of Chikane, after a plea bargain was struck with the National Prosecuting Authority. A Parliamentary multi-party reference group is tasked with evaluating 2 300 applications for presidential pardons from those convicted of politically-motivated crimes who did not participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process and who had committed these offences before June 16, 1999.
PRETORIA – The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development launches a new programme that will provide an opportunity for law students to hone their legal skill, while providing poor communities with free legal services. The Candidate Attorney Programme, which will be located at most major South African universities, will provide law graduates with an opportunity to serve their articles through University Law Clinics and provide legal services to disadvantaged communities. The department will in turn support the candidate attorneys and help facilitate the completion of their practical training and registration as qualified attorneys.
DURBAN – A report released by the Institute of Retirement Funders (IRF) at a conference in Durban reveals that the financial impact of HIV/Aids on the proposed National Social Security Fund will be extensive, with actuarial models showing that the average 20 year-old South African will not even reach retirement age. “The big question is how to design a social security system that balances the provision of death and disability benefits on one hand and retirement benefits on the other hand in a country where the average life expectancy at birth is 51 years," says Nathea Nicolay, manager of AIDS Risk Consulting for Metropolitan's Employee Benefits. Nicolay also highlighted that although government is trying to catch a huge group of low income earners who cannot afford current medical aid or current retirement fund benefits in a massive social security net, the full impact of HIV/Aids on this group of people, many of whom are self employed or belong to small companies, has never been assessed.
AFRICA & WORLD
LUANDA – Southern African Development Community (SADC) observers express their satisfaction with Angola’s preparations for that country’s upcoming legislative elections. SADC has deployed 200 observers, representing all the member states, in the run up to the September poll. In addition, observers from governments, and regional and international organisations are expected in the country to monitor the elections. European Union observers have also been deployed in a number of provinces. Ten political parties are contesting the elections.
ABUJA – Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua‘s administration is scruitinising contracts entered into by the country’s former administration. UK billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Nigeria, is one of the many international firms whose agreements are under review. Changes in administration in African nations have often triggered reviews of deals deemed not in the national interest. But even long-standing partners in Nigeria's mainstay oil industry are voicing their concerns over the unpredictable investment climate.
CAPE TOWN – The National Assembly's public works committee shelves the controversial draft Expropriation Bill because of a lack of proper consultation. Committee chairperson Thandi Tobias-Pokolo says the committee hopes the bill will be reintroduced when Parliament reconvenes in 2009. The bill has drawn sharp criticism from many civil organisations and political parties, who claim that it will allow for the expropriation of any property "in the public interest". However, government is adamant that its introduction will speed up land reform and the delivery of essential services.
JOHANNESBURG – Former law and order minister Adrian Vlok and four senior apartheid-era policemen apply for a presidential pardon for the attempted murder of Reverend Frank Chikane, now director-general in the Presidency. Last year the men were given suspended sentences for their part in the 1989 poisoning of Chikane, after a plea bargain was struck with the National Prosecuting Authority. A Parliamentary multi-party reference group is tasked with evaluating 2 300 applications for presidential pardons from those convicted of politically-motivated crimes who did not participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process and who had committed these offences before June 16, 1999.
PRETORIA – The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development launches a new programme that will provide an opportunity for law students to hone their legal skill, while providing poor communities with free legal services. The Candidate Attorney Programme, which will be located at most major South African universities, will provide law graduates with an opportunity to serve their articles through University Law Clinics and provide legal services to disadvantaged communities. The department will in turn support the candidate attorneys and help facilitate the completion of their practical training and registration as qualified attorneys.
DURBAN – A report released by the Institute of Retirement Funders (IRF) at a conference in Durban reveals that the financial impact of HIV/Aids on the proposed National Social Security Fund will be extensive, with actuarial models showing that the average 20 year-old South African will not even reach retirement age. “The big question is how to design a social security system that balances the provision of death and disability benefits on one hand and retirement benefits on the other hand in a country where the average life expectancy at birth is 51 years," says Nathea Nicolay, manager of AIDS Risk Consulting for Metropolitan's Employee Benefits. Nicolay also highlighted that although government is trying to catch a huge group of low income earners who cannot afford current medical aid or current retirement fund benefits in a massive social security net, the full impact of HIV/Aids on this group of people, many of whom are self employed or belong to small companies, has never been assessed.
AFRICA & WORLD
LUANDA – Southern African Development Community (SADC) observers express their satisfaction with Angola’s preparations for that country’s upcoming legislative elections. SADC has deployed 200 observers, representing all the member states, in the run up to the September poll. In addition, observers from governments, and regional and international organisations are expected in the country to monitor the elections. European Union observers have also been deployed in a number of provinces. Ten political parties are contesting the elections.
ABUJA – Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua‘s administration is scruitinising contracts entered into by the country’s former administration. UK billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic, which owns a 49% stake in Virgin Nigeria, is one of the many international firms whose agreements are under review. Changes in administration in African nations have often triggered reviews of deals deemed not in the national interest. But even long-standing partners in Nigeria's mainstay oil industry are voicing their concerns over the unpredictable investment climate.
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