Johannesburg, Feb. 25: Australian cricket selector David Boon has called on fans and critics to be patient about team selection and performance a day before they take on South Africa in the first Test at the Wanderer''s here.

Commenting on main selection issues, Boon said that as far the Wanderer's was concerned, it "has "essentially been a seamers'' wicket."

Johannesburg - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was expected in South Africa Tuesday on the first leg of a five-nation African tour that will focus on the victims of conflict, climate change and UN reform, among other issues.

Ban's visit to South Africa is his first to the country as UN chief. He is scheduled to be met on arrival Tuesday evening in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma before holding talks with President Kgalema Motlanthe in Pretoria on Wednesday.

He is also expected to meet with former president Nelson Mandela and the ministers for finance and environment.

Johannesburg  - The world's third-biggest platinum producer Lonmin announced plans Tuesday to lay off up to 5,500 workers at two operations in South Africa.

Production of platinum, a precious metal used in car manufacturing and jewellery, has been severely affected by the global downturn.

Lonmin's announcement follows the announcement earlier this month by leading platinum producer Anglo Platinum, the South African arm of mining giant Anglo American, that it planned to cut 10,000 jobs in 2009.

Johannesburg - The former Methodist bishop, who will lead South Africa's new Congress

Johannesburg, Feb. 23 : Australian opener Simon Katich has acknowledged that South Africa's fast bowlers led by Dale Steyn can once again be too hot to handle in the forthcoming series, but hastens to add that the Aussies have their measure.

"He''s (Steyn) obviously up there at the moment. In terms of pace, he''s probably one of the quickest going around, apart from Brett (Lee) when he''s fully fit. You throw in the other couple as well. They''ve got a well-balanced attack," Fox Sports quoted Katich, as saying.

Johannesburg - Seven Zimbabweans, four men and three women, were found dead in South Africa after their shack in Western Cape province was allegedly set alight, police said Monday.

A police spokesman told SAfm public radio that the alleged attack, which took place in a squatter camp, was under investigation.

Last year, mobs killed at least 62 people and drove thousands of others from their homes in a two-week frenzy of xenophobic violence targeting mostly migrants from neighbouring countries, such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.