January 2005
Up one levelJanuary 2005 news items are stored here.
Opposition United in Criticism of ANC Decay
2005-01-02. SOUTH Africa's opposition leaders have varied agendas for the new political year, but all agree that Parliament is losing its teeth and the focus for MPs in 2005 should be on stopping the decay.
Max hearing will not be postponed
2005-01-06. The Independent Democrats will go ahead with the disciplinary hearing against suspended provincial party leader Lennit Max on Monday as planned.
Mandela admits son died of Aids
2005-01-06. It is best for a family to be open about suffering from terminal diseases rather than let rumours spread like wildfire, former president Nelson Mandela said on Thursday after announcing that he lost his son, Makgatho Mandela, earlier in the day to Aids.
Leaders praise Madiba over his son
2005-01-07. CAPE TOWN - Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille on Thursday commended former president Nelson Mandela for his courage in announcing that he had lost his son, Makgatho, to Aids earlier in the day.
Arms deal documents reveal a taste for Tippex
2005-01-09. Claims that defence heavyweights intimidated Armscor staff to influence the awarding of a contract, and the use of correcting fluid to alter figures on bid-related documents, are among startling revelations that have come to light around the country's controversial multibillion-rand arms deal.
Parties seek answers on arms report
2005-01-10. "Allegations of a cover-up prompt calls for full inquiry into debacle" Tim Cohen, Editor at Large.
Cape Town court grants Max a short reprieve
2005-01-11. CAPE TOWN - Embattled former Western Cape Independent Democrats leader Lennit Max was given breathing space after lodging an urgent high court application challenging his suspension from the party on Tuesday.
De Lille denies link to crime boss
2005-01-13. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille has denied reports linking her party to crime kingpin Quinton Marinus, saying she would "never take money from criminals".
Thatcher Reaches Plea Bargain on Coup Charges; Fined
2005-01-13. Bloomberg - Mark Thatcher, the son of former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, agreed to pay a three million rand ($504,000) fine as part of a plea bargain settlement with a South African court, sparing him a possible jail term for allegedly funding an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea.
De Lille rubbishes Max's claims
2005-01-13. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille has rubbished reports linking her party to crime kingpin Quinton Marinus, saying she would "never take money from criminals".
De Lille denies link with alleged crime leader
2005-01-13. Cape Town - The leader of the opposition Independent Democrats (ID), Patricia de Lille, has denied any link between her party and the alleged Western Cape crime syndicate leader, Quinton Marinus, rejecting claims in media reports on Wednesday that Marinus had donated R300 000 to the ID, as alleged by former party member Lennit Max.
Absa comes out on top of 2004's news
2005-01-14. Johannesburg, South Africa - Banking group Absa was the most-reported-on company in leading South African media in 2004, according to research conducted by Media Tenor South Africa.
Row brews as Thatcher flies out after deal
2005-01-14. CAPE TOWN - Sir Mark Thatcher pleaded guilty yesterday to unwittingly helping bankroll a botched coup plot in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, in exchange for a fine, a suspended jail sentence and the right to rejoin his family in the United States.
Warder changes his tune over De Lille package
2005-01-18. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille says the plastic-wrapped blocks put in a party car after a meeting with alleged gang high-flyer Quentin Marinus contained CDs - not R300 000 in cash.
New NCOP chairperson elected unopposed
2005-01-18. The ruling African National Congress's Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu has been elected unopposed as the new chairperson of the second chamber of South Africa's Parliament, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
De Lille fires next salvo in Max dispute
2005-01-19. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille has claimed suspended ID provincial leader Lennit Max may have gained unauthorised entry to the party's offices after he had been suspended as a member.
Tables turned as De Lille's accuser is accused of lying
2005-01-20. CAPE TOWN - Key witnesses fingered by suspended Independent Democrats member Lennit Max in his case against the party have turned the tables on him and filed court papers accusing him of lying.
ID rebel Max set to lose position at congress
2005-01-21. SUSPENDED Western Cape Independent Democrats (ID) leader Lennit Max is likely to lose his position this weekend when the province holds its second congress, at which a new provincial executive will be elected.
Im my own man, says new Scorpions boss
2005-01-22. The newly appointed head of the National Prosecuting Authority has vowed to defend the independence of the Scorpions and says he is "prepared for anything" when he takes over the politically pressured job in February.
Independent Democrats elect new Western Cape leader
2005-01-24. The Independent Democrats (ID) today called on God to help them weed out "undesirables" from their ranks. The call was made as the party faithful elected a new Western Cape leader, Neville Hendricks (64), a Cape Town businessman. He replaces Lennit Max, the former provincial police commissioner, who has been suspended from the party and is embroiled in a disciplinary hearing and a court case against the ID.
Law must take course in Travelgate
2005-01-25. CAPE TOWN - The Independent Democrats (ID) says it believes in the rule of law and that the law must take its course in the case of the so-called "Travelgate" scam.
In-fighting a plot to discredit ID - De Lille
2005-01-25. The in-fighting in the Independent Democrats (ID) in the Western Cape is nothing more than a few individuals acting without the mandate of their branches, says party leader Patricia de Lille.
Max's challenge before court on Thurs
2005-01-25. Independent Democrats provincial legislature member Lennit Max's application challenging the validity of his suspension as a party representative will be heard in the Cape High Court on Thursday morning.
DA behind Max's attack on ID
2005-01-25. The Independent Democrats has accused the Democratic Alliance of "orchestrating" a campaign by former provincial leader Lennit Max's to undermine the party and its leader Patricia de Lille.
ID leader is a man of the people
2005-01-25. Cape Town - From plumber to health inspector and now newly elected provincial leader of the Independent Democrats, Neville Hendricks has changed paths many times.
ID vindicated in Max case - De Lille
2005-01-27. Patricia de Lille, leader of the Independent Democrats, said on Thursday the party had been "vindicated" in its high court battle with former Western Cape chair Lennit Max, after he withdrew litigation.
Max drops De Lille action
2005-01-27. Former provincial Independent Democrats leader Lennit Max today withdrew his case against party leader Patricia de Lille, minutes before the matter was to be heard in the Cape High Court.
Max withdraws case against Patricia de Lille
2005-01-27. Former provincial ID leader Lennit Max withdrew his case against party leader Patricia de Lille minutes before the matter was to be heard in the Cape High Court today.
De Lille triumphant after Max withdraws his court action
2005-01-28. Former Western Cape ID head now faces party's grilling. By Angela Quintal and Sapa.
Lip Service - A selection of quotes of southern African interest from the media during the past week
2005-01-28. Cape Town: "To discern the larger patterns on the dance floor the leader has to stop moving and get on the balcony. President Thabo Mbeki never seems to go on the balcony, and let the rest of us actually do the work." - Political commentator Xolela Mangcu.
MDC: 'Damned if we do ...'
2005-01-28. Johannesburg - The opposition Movement for Democratic Change is caught in a catch-22 situation in deciding whether to participate in Zimbabwe's upcoming general elections, party leader Morgan Tsvangirai said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
'A home for all' must include the street children too
2005-01-31. The issues surrounding street children in Cape Town are emotive and highly complex, but the way we respond to them will in many ways define our character as a city.
