Pitcairn accused sentenced, and other brief reports
* Sentences, ranging from community service to six years in jail, have been handed down to the mayor and five other men on the remote Pacific island of Pitcairn for rapes and sex attacks dating back 40 years. The sentences will not begin until next year, after appeals by their defence lawyers against Britain\'s jurisdiction over the island. Sydney Morning Herald
* A Limpopo Regional Court has mistakenly released two alleged murderers on bail. The accused, brothers Lucky (36) and Oupa (32) Makhokha, were released on R3 000 bail each after they appeared last week in the court on charges of possession of stolen goods. They were also awaiting trial in the High Court on murder charges. Beeld * Attorneys acting for the ratepayers in the Hilton and Howick, where rates have been increased by between 50% and 300%, have handed a letter to the uMngeni Municipality and their attorneys, giving them five days to rescind the assessment of rates for the 2004/2005 municipal budget year or face legal action. The Witness