Free State farmer fined of producing fake money and other brief reports

* Police are still looking for convicted murderer Sandile Buthelezi (20), who escaped from the Johannesburg High Court last week shortly after he and three accomplices had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a friend. Buthelezi, who walked with crutches, made a dash for freedom after fooling officials for two years that he was crippled. – The Star * Texas has commuted 28 death sentences to life in prison for inmates who were younger than 18 when they committed capital murder. The move was in response to a Supreme Court ruling that juveniles cannot be executed. – Los Angeles Times * The Safety and Security Department is unlikely to extend the gun amnesty after it expires on June 30. Police reported that since the amnesty period was launched, 83 035 firearms had been collected. Those who are found with illegal firearms after the deadline expires could face up to 25 years in prison. – Business Day * An Italian judge ruled on Saturday that Parmalat founder Calisto Tanzi should stand trial for alleged market securities violations related to the 2003 near-collapse of the Italian dairy giant in a fraud scandal. Judge Cesare Tacconi ordered another 15 people, among them officials from the Italian branches of Bank of America and the auditing firm of Deloitte & Touche, to stand trial. Also to be tried are the Italian Deloitte & Touche and former Italian branch of Grant Thornton. Tacconi said the trial would begin on September 28 in Milan. – Business Report * Two teachers, each with more than 20 years’ experience, have gone to jail for their roles in a funeral policy scam in which people were fraudulently declared dead and false claims submitted to insurance companies. Ruth Lungile Methula, (50) and Beulah Cecilia Msaondo (44) both resigned from Bhekilanga Primary School in KwaMashu last week where they had taught for 29 years and 23 years, respectively. – The Mercury * A village woman who won international praise for speaking publicly about her gang rape will have her appeal heard in Pakistan’s highest court this week against five of her alleged attackers who were acquitted, lawyers said yesterday. Mukhtar Mai (36) was assaulted in June 2002 on the orders of a village council in retaliation for her brother’s alleged affairs with another woman. – The Mercury