ACCESS TO INFORMATION - The Congress of South African Trade Unions is demanding that the country's top 50 companies should publish the salaries and fringe benefits of their senior managers and chief executives. The union federation released the draft industrial policies on June 5. "The Sunday Independent" on June 7 reported that Cosatu's deputy general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, called for a compulsory code for investors entering South Africa. The code would compel investors to disclose information on management benefits, to emphasise training and to abide by the International Labour Organisation's conventions on minimum standards.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION - The Truth and Reconciliation Commission on June 6 foiled a move to have the hearings on South Africa's chemical and biological warfare behind closed doors. The hearing on June 8 by former South African Defence Force was temporarily suspended following an intervention by a government delegation. Abdul Minty, chairman of the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, led the delegation that called for the hearing to be held privately "because some of the information disclosed during the hearings could lead to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs". The delegation argued that such weapons posed a danger not only to soldiers engaged in war but also to millions of civilians normally caught in the crossfire. Nevertheless, the TRC chairman Desmond Tutu announced that "the hearings would be open to the public because a great deal of what has been said on the hearings relate to openness and transparency". Meanwhile, the TRC since June 8 heard testimonies from former SADF scientists on a secret programme, to develop a drug that could control the black population and allow it to retain white domination. The TRC also heard about a plot to poison Mandela so that he would not live long after his release from prison.

BROADCASTING - The SABC deputy chief Govin Reddy on June 7 claimed that racism influenced the corporation in its choice of a new chief executive. Reddy has requested reasons for the board's decision and if not satisfied, will seek legal redress. The SABC spokesman Marj Murray dismissed Reddy's charges and said that the SABC would furnish Reddy with the explanation he required within two weeks. Murray indicated that the "SABC policy does not make any distinction between Indians, mixed race people and blacks for affirmative action purposes". She also said that correct procedures were followed in appointing Hawu Mbatha as the new SABC CEO.

COMMERCIAL SPEECH - Measures against smoking in public places were added to the proposed ban on tobacco advertisements and sports sponsorship by tobacco companies. According to "Saturday Star" report, the controls in terms of amendments to South Africa's tobacco laws are due to be tabled in Parliament shortly. The new law will ban smoking in public places and to designate areas where smoking is allowed. The department of health indicated that they are trying to balance the needs of the smoker and the rights of the non-smoker. The Tobacco Institute of South Africa pointed out that they have not been consulted on the amendments.

MEDIA OWNERSHIP & DIVERSITY - A year's delay in the start-up of e.tv could mean a R350,2m loss to Midi and its domestic suppliers. "Business Day" on June 12 reported that a study undertaken by Econometrix has assessed the estimated delays which could occur in terms of the business and broadcasting operations of Midi. The study said that the threat by rival consortiums to review the IBA decision to licence Midi could affect Midi's income and expenditure. The report also said "any action contemplated by any party to dispossess Midi TV of its licence to broadcast, should be contemplated upon the firmest legal grounds only, given the risk of being faced with a counter-suit for damages". However, Midi Television is determined to air in October despite threats of legal action against the Independent Broadcasting Authority's decision to award it the first free to air licence. According to Midi MD Jonathan Procter, e.tv will offer a wide spectrum of choices ranging from entertainment to sport and soapies. Its strategy will be to concentrate on strong news and current affairs programming, and to exploit its partnership with Time Warner, which has a 20% stake in the consortium. Procter said that Time Warner's involvement guarantees a source of international programming and lowers e.tv's risk profile in terms of funding and price war with the SABC and M-Net. It allows Midi to approach the local production industry with co-production and international distribution deals.

PARLIAMENT - The bill to extend the life of the Truth Commission was passed on June 9 by the National Assembly, to allow outstanding amnesty applications to be processed. According to Justice Minister Dullar Omar, the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill will allow the TRC to submit an interim report on October 31 this year. Once the committee's work is complete, President Mandela will reconvene the commission by the proclamation so that it can complete its final report. The Democratic Party and the Pan Africanist Congress supported the legislation, while the National Party, Freedom Front and Inkatha Freedom Party opposed the move.

WATCHDOGS - Opposition parties continued to hold meetings to focus on opposition unity against the African National Congress. The leadership of the National Party and the Democratic Party issued the joint statement saying that there had been a frank exchange of views about opposition co-operation, but no conclusions were reached except that other like minded parties should also be involved in the process. "The Citizen" on June 11 reported that a monitoring agreement between the PAC, NP, FF, IFP and DP already existed in the Northern Province. The two parties called for sensible arrangements to ensure that the opposition collectively controlled provinces where the ANC might be held to less that 50% of the vote - Gauteng, Northern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - The Nigerian pro-democracy groupings on June 12 embarked on demonstrations in Johannesburg and Cape Town, to demand the installation of elected president Chief Moshood Abiola, who was jailed in 1993 by Nigerian Military ruler Sani Abacha. This follows the death of Abacha on June 8. Abacha, who died of a heart attack, was immediately replaced by General Abdulsalam Abubaker. The pro-democracy groupings rejected the move saying that Abubaker was another dictator. Meanwhile, the South African government on June 8 paid tribute to Abacha's death. Foreign affairs Minister Alfred Nzo issued a statement from the Organisation of African Unity summit in Burkina Faso which paid tribute to the positive contribution made by Abacha towards the return of democracy in Sierra Leone.