South Africa

JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) branch in South Africa is "shell-shocked" at Gauteng Local Government MEC Dorothy Mahlangu's verbal attack on Central Methodist Church Bishop Paul Verryn. It is regrettable that the MEC accuses the Bishop of exposing Zimbabwean refugees to danger when he is in fact providing them with shelter that they would not otherwise have, says MDC spokesperson Sibanengi Dube. Manhlangu has said that the Gauteng Department of Local Government condemns what Verryn is doing. Dube points out that Zimbabwe did not close its doors to South African exiles when African National Congress cadres were forced to flee from apartheid. It is, therefore, unexpected that Mahlangu showed clear insensitivity to the plight of Zimbabweans.

CAPE TOWN - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille promises to continue to "attack African National Congress corruption" no matter what the international consequences. This is in response to a complaint laid against her with the Human Rights Commission by Congress of South African Trade Unions Western Cape provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich, who says that Zille is "recklessly endangering the South African people and their international interest". South Africa's development is linked to its ability to draw foreign investment, he explains, adding that this is being severely undermined by Zille's constant refrain that the country is run by a party that does not follow democratic processes.

JOHANNESBURG - Mere weeks before South Africa goes to the polls, the Congress of the People (Cope) seems to be faltering while the African National Congress (ANC) is suffering little fallout from the legal cloud over Jacob Zuma's head, says political analyst Aubrey Matshiqi. The Centre for Policy Studies analyst says that morality will not be a key factor in the April elections and that Cope has, therefore, misjudged the mood by fielding Bishop Mvume Dandala as a counterweight to Zuma. He says that the ANC will lose some support over the corruption charges against Zuma stemming from the arms deal, but not where it matters most, namely in its mass support base. Matshiqi says that Zuma is likely to win new voters for the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal as some traditional Inkatha Freedom Party supporters could see him as a more attractive Zulu icon than the increasingly "tired-looking" Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Matshiqi also predicts that the protracted, politically fraught case against Zuma is unlikely to ever go to trial.

JOHANNESBURG - The way broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) is put into effect needs reviewing, says African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma. This programme, along with affirmative action, has increased the black middle class substantially, but the ruling party is not convinced that it has succeeded in addressing the structural economic and social inequalities in South Africa's society. Speaking to the Confederation of Black Business Organisations, Zuma says that the ANC has long held the view that BBBEE should benefit broader sections of society. Such a review would be concerned with how effectively the policy is being applied, and how it can be strengthened to better deliver for the majority of South Africans. Zuma emphasises that the ANC is committed to ensuring the continued implementation of the affirmative action and BBBEE programmes. He says that it should be a priority to harmonise government procurement policies to ensure that they comply with the BBBEE Act.

Africa & the world

PRAGUE - Nato plans to send five ships to take part in a new counterpiracy operation off the coast of Somalia. Operation Allied Protector will involve ships from Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the US. Nato aims to enhance the safety of commercial maritime routes vital for the global economy. A surge in piracy in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes off Somalia has caused international alarm, and warships from around the world have been deployed in the area to try to curb the hijacks by Somali pirates, typically in small groups aboard speedboats, earning them millions of dollars in ransoms after boarding and seizing vessels - from fishing trawlers to a Saudi supertanker.