Johannesburg - South African President Kgalema Motlanthe warned Friday that the global financial crisis posed a serious threat to jobs in Africa's largest economy, where manufacturing and mining have shed thousands of jobs in recent months.

Delivering the president's annual State of the Nation speech at the opening of parliament in Cape Town, Motlanthe warned South Africans against underestimating the local fallout of recession in leading markets.

"The global economic meltdown does pose serious dangers for our economy, in terms of job losses and the quality of life of our people," he said.

Johannesburg  - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma was back in court again Wednesday in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg over a long-running corruption case that has muddied his path to the presidency.

Zuma slipped in through a back door into Pietermaritzburg High Court, which is expected to set dates in his trial for alleged corruption, racketeering, money laundering and fraud relating to a 1990s state arms deal.

Johannesburg - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday attempted to soothe fears over rising political violence in the run-up to elections, saying it predicted a peaceful ballot.

"We are going to have a peaceful election, I can predict that," ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe was quoted by the South African Press Association (SAPA) as telling reporters after a weekend of attacks on politicians that left at least nine injured.

Johannesburg - ­ Two train accidents within 12 hours of one another left more than 250 passengers wounded in the greater Johannesburg area Monday.

More than 100 people were injured when two passenger trains collided head-on at the Springs West train station reported the South African news agency SAPA, citing emergency medical services.

Earlier around 160 commuters, including a pregnant woman, were injured when two passenger trains rear-ended each other between the Lenasia and Midway stations early Monday morning, reported SAPA.

Johannesburg - An airport security official and a flight attendant from South African Airways (SAA) who are facing drug smuggling charges were released on bail Friday pending further investigation, news reports said.

Their case, being heard in the Kempton Park Regional Court, was meanwhile postponed to April 9.

The two were last week arrested in connection with the seizure of 50 kilograms of cannabis and four kilograms of cocaine at London's Heathrow airport earlier this month.

Johannesburg- Eight suspected robbers were shot dead and a passing motorist, a bystander and a policeman were wounded in a shootout Friday morning in Durban after a butchery shop heist.

The South African news agency Sapa cited police spokesman Inspector Michael Read that the heavily-armed gang robbed the Chicago butchery in the port city and then fled.

"After the robbery, the registration of the car was circulated on police radio when the car was spotted by members of the Durban Flying Squad in the Umbilo area.," the spokesmans said.