Former prosecutor seeks discharge and other brief reports
* A former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Cornwell Tshavhungwa, who has been charged with fraud and corruption, among other things, would ask for a discharge on most of the charges against him today, the lawyer representing him said yesterday. Advocate Gys Rautenbach told the Pretoria Regional Court that he would argue that his client should be discharged on all counts against him, except one of driving under the influence of alcohol. Business Day
* The motor manufacturing industry has placed the idea of a black BEE charter on the back burner. Jurgen Fegbeutel, the chairman of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA BEE task group, said the industry was moving towards just complying with generic scorecards. Business Report * The Diamond Bill has been signed by President Thabo Mbeki, paving the way for a state diamond trader, said Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka yesterday. Business Day * Britains Sentencing Guidelines Council has recommended, under controversial new guidelines for judges, that sentences for r ape and other s exual offences be cut by 15% for most offenders. The Observer * Ireland is to review more than 2 000 pieces of legislation imposed by the English following the 12th century, Norman invasion of Ireland. The Telegraph * The Zwelitsha Magistrates Court has denied bail to three young man accused of gang-r aping a young mother as part of the ritual s exual encounter (ukukhutshwa kwefutha) of newly initiated men (amakrwala). Initially seven youths and a 15-year-old boy were arrested, but charges against four of the youths and the juvenile have been dropped. The case was postponed to April 4. Daily Dispatch