Former prosecutor seeks discharge and other brief reports

* 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 * Britain’s 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