December 2004
Up one levelDecember 2004 news items are stored here.
MPs 'stonewalled' in bid to ask Heath to probe arms deal
2004-12-01. 'Mbeki would not sign proclamation' By Estelle Ellis.
Zuma's letter under spotlight at Shaik trial
2004-12-01. Durban - It was a letter signed by Deputy President Jacob Zuma, saying there was no need for the Heath Special Investigating Unit to probe the arms deal, that took centre stage in the trial of Durban businessman Schabir Shaik yesterday.
De Lille, Woods keep lid on sources
2004-12-01. Durban - Independent Democrats president Patricia de Lille and Inkatha Freedom Party MP Gavin Woods told the Schabir Shaik trial yesterday that their involvement in and opposition to SA's R30bn arms acquisition process had left them respectively "ostracised" and "intimidated".
ANC Proxy Battle At Shaik Trial
2004-12-03. Johannesburg - THE trial of businessman Schabir Shaik is in one way a battle over the guilt or innocence of one man on fraud and corruption charges. But in another way it is a much more significant proxy battle, not only between groups outside the court but also between two political tendencies within the African National Congress (ANC).
No reason for president to quash probe
2004-12-03. There was no objective reason why President Thabo Mbeki should have refused permission for the Heath Special Investigating Unit to probe the arms deal.
Mbeki let me down, confesses Heath
2004-12-05. Former Judge Willem Heath smelled a rat the day he was told by President Thabo Mbeki that his Special Investigation Unit was not required to be part of the multi-faceted investigation into the controversial arms deal.
All our blood is red - De Lille
2004-12-08. Cape Town - First-time blood donor Patricia de Lille on Wednesday appealed to all South Africans to rise above the current blood transfusion controversy and donate blood as the "silly season" drew closer.
Sorry, Mr Mbeki - blood service
2004-12-08. President Mbeki will receive a private apology from the SA National Blood Service for revealing in the media that the blood he donated had been destroyed.
About 800 people a day stream in to donate blood: -Response to controversy
2004-12-09. Donors have been flooding into Western Cape Blood Transfusion clinics at a rate of about an extra 200 a day since the controversy about racial profiling of donors began.
Witnesses who made Shaik trial worth watching
2004-12-10. It was a rainy October morning when the trial of businessman Schabir Shaik started amid intense interest in the Durban High Court.
Manto 'doctored Aids kit'
2004-12-15. Group told to drop gays, acticists and high-profile figures. By Kerry Cullinan.
Stars lay out their best intentions for '05
2004-12-18. "I wish South Africans good health, long life, peace and prosperity this Christmas. My New Year's resolution is to continuously seek for a higher conscience in my work with the Lord and strive to be a better person every day." - Basetsana Khumalo. Presenter on Top Billing.
Cape ID Branches Stand By De Lille
2004-12-29. Six Western Cape regional branches of the Independent Democrats (ID) meet today to express their solidarity with leader Patricia de Lille.
Western Cape ID backs De Lille
2004-12-30. CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape provincial executive committee, the six regions and Western Cape local government councillors representing the Independent Democrats (ID) party have come out in full support of its national leader Patricia de Lille amid a slanging match between the party's leadership.
