Africa

A report says the defence force will buy new presidential jets and planes as soon as possible to, according to the minister, save some of the millions spent each week on chartering aircraft.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde has avoided charges but has been named an "assisted witness" after French prosecutors grilled her over a state payout to a disgraced tycoon when she was finance minister.

A British zoo worker mauled in a tiger attack has died of her injuries, police say.

A man has died and another has been injured after their truck rolled down an embankment near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, paramedics say.

Officials at the Army Infantry School in Oudtshoorn might face disciplinary action or suspension over the physical abuse of recruits, says a report.

African leaders have opened extravagant celebrations for the 50th jubilee of the continental bloc, with Africa's myriad problems set aside for a day to mark the progress that has been made.

South Africa’s main auto union threatened to “halt production” at a Volkswagen after union members were fired, Reuters says. “We call on the Volkswagen South Africa oligarchy to immediately stop these dismissals of workers. If VWSA fails to adhere to this demand, we will be forced to halt production until this impasse is resolved,” the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa told the wire. Tensions in South Africa are high. On Tuesday, ten striking South African miners were hit by rubber bullets, as labor strife spread ahead of mid-year pay negotiations. A Mercedes-Benz plant in the country was shut for two days when workers walked out after they were asked to remove their overalls when going outside, and not to wear them when returning.. Metal workers in South Africa demand a 20 percent industry-wide salary hike.

Jan Serfontein will start on the bench against the Sharks in Durban after Louis Fouche failed a late fitness test.

A Swaziland high court judge has become entangled in messy battle over custody of a dachshund puppy, which he is accused of dog-napping from a neighbour using a falsified court order.

Britain's intelligence services are under pressure to explain their knowledge of two Islamists suspected of hacking a soldier to death in London, amid claims they had tried to recruit one of them.