February 8, 2013.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.

Making headlines:

An ANC’s resolution decides on the number of provinces, education and health.

South Africa charges Democratic Republic of Congo rebels with planning a coup.

And, Nigeria's opposition parties merge in a bid to unseat the ruling party.

 

Resolutions taken by the African National Congress at its December Mangaung conference on key policies, the number of provinces, education, and health, have been posted on the party's website. During the five-day conference the party decided that the country's nine provinces needed to be "reformed, reduced, and strengthened".

According to the resolutions, a presidential commission would be appointed to review the provinces and make proposals on the number and each province’s role. The party also resolved that the powers and functions of the three spheres of government be reviewed.

The ANC also decided that it would take responsibility for poor education outcomes and ensure elected leaders and "deployees" in the administration were held accountable for their actions.

 

Nineteen Congolese rebels, including a naturalised US citizen, were charged in a South African court on Thursday with plotting a coup against the government in Kinshasa. They planned to finance the coup, if successful, through mineral concessions.

Prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said the group who appeared in court in Pretoria, were led by US-Congolese citizen James Kazongo and had been under surveillance by an elite South African police unit for months before their arrest this week.

In February, Abrahams said the undercover policeman met Kazongo, who said he was trying to recruit mercenaries, and confirmed the group’s "wish list" as well as his intention to overthrow the DRC government.

According to court documents, a wing of a little-known rebel militia called the Union of Nationalists for Renewal consists of 9 000 rebels opposed to the rule of President Joseph Kabila and want him removed by "unconstitutional" means.

 

Nigeria's four main opposition parties have announced a merger, forming a coalition, which could pose the biggest threat to President Goodluck Jonathan's ruling party since the end of military rule in 1999.

Previous attempts at opposition alliances have fallen apart owing to infighting and regional differences. The president's party is likely to now target any weaknesses in the merger. However, if the newly created party holds together it would be sternly tested when trying to agree on a presidential candidate for the 2015 election.

The merger, two years before the vote, will turn politician's attention to elections and away from vital reforms needed to support Africa's second largest economy. It also mounts pressure on President Jonathan to rally support from within his party and outside if he is to win re-election.

 

Also making headlines:

Business confidence continues its slow recovery but is still below a ‘desirable’ level

A report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has uncovered maladministration in the justice department regarding the treatment of a whistleblower.

And, the costs of the construction phases of the world’s largest radio telescope, the SKA have risen.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.