SOUTH AFRICA

Rising water levels in dams in the northern parts of South Africa have sparked fears of floods after heavy rainfall in the area. With the weather bureau forecasting further rains during the rest of the present season, precautions are being taken to avoid calamities. Already, some sluice gates at the Vaal and Bloemhof dams, which are both 97 per cent full, have been opened. Vaal River area manager Marinus de Wilde said three sluice gates were opened at the Vaal dam for fear of flooding.

SOUTH AFRICA

Five South African victims of asbestos poisoning have been told by the House of Lords that they can sue their former employer in the English Courts. The ruling means that the uk -based multinational Cape, which produces asbestos and exports it to Europe and the us , can be tried in England for breaching health and environmental standards overseas. The five claimants were exposed to blue or brown asbestos either at work or by living close to Cape's mills and mines in South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA

Researchers have found the oldest complete skeleton skull of a human ancestor -- a four-feet-tall ape-creature who died some 3.6 million years ago in South Africa (sa ). The skeleton was found in a cave near the capital Johannesburg.

SOUTH AFRICA

Too many elephants in Africa have generated a considerable debate and controversy among the various countries of the continent. It has also encouraged poachers and circus owners to capture elephants to make a quick-buck. Recently, 30 baby white elephants were

Jammin'

Cellphones are not just a public nuisance - they are also used by lookouts to warn criminals when the police are near. Now Deropa of Boksburg, South Africa, is patenting a transmitter that jams cellphones. All cellphones continually transmit and receive coded signals, with which they communicate with the network base stations. If these signals cannot get through, the phones cannot make or receive calls. By broadcasting low-power noise, the transmitter blocks these signals, preventing the cellphone from working.

SOUTH AFRICA

Dented by the Congo rebellion, renewed fighting in Angola, failed privatisation plans in Zambia and slumping metal prices, mining investors are singing the blues.

SOUTH AFRICA

Babies born in the Krugersdorp area could suffer severe lung damage or even die because of dust pollution from a nearby mine dump, says Vali Yousefi, spokesperson of National Department of Occupational Health (NDOH).

Skeletons in the closet

several horrors from South Africa's apartheid era are gradually coming to light. During a recent testimony before the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (trc), several witnesses revealed how undetectable ways of murdering political opponents figured high on the priority of chemical and biological warfare campaigns.

Back from plant heaven

Africa on a Safari ride

south African dealers are negotiating import of Tata vehicles in s move that can give the Indian transport industry new inroads into Africa. South African dealers have shown particular interest in the new addition to the Tata range of vehicles -- the four-wheel drive Tata Safari. "Dealers have expressed strong interest in the Tata car when it goes into production," said a company spokesperson. Tata trucks and buses, Bajaj tempos and a range of Indian-made automotive components have drawn keen attention at a recent "Made in India" exhibition in Johannesburg.