The state has opposed British fugitive Darren Finch's release on bail saying he is a major flight risk.

Finch, who�is wanted in the United Kingdom on charges of money laundering, appeared in the Cape Town District Court yesterday.

Last week, an application for his release on bail in the deportation proceedings was denied.

South African�authorities fear if Finch is granted bail he will flee the country.

He�fled to South Africa under�a false identity 18 months ago�after�he was released on bail by the Leeds Magistrate's Court in the England.

At the time of his arrest he was found in possession of a second false passport.

He had been living the high life with his wife in a rented home in the plush suburb of�Llandudno.

Finch now faces extradition back to the UK on the criminal charges in the Leeds Magistrate's Court, as well as deportation as an illegal foreigner.

He will be back in the dock on Monday.

(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)

The South African Municipal Workers Union�(Samwu) said on Saturday scores of�people�across the country�will be left without water if its national strike goes ahead on Monday.

Samwu issued a strike notice this week after wage negotiations between the union and its employer failed.

The South African Association of Water Utilities refused the unions' request of a 13 percent increase for the
lowest paid workers and an 11 percent increase for other employees.

The association is�offering nine percent.

Once�Samwu gets�the legal green light around 6000 of its members will down tools.

Samwu's Tahir Sema said�it has not left the bargaining table just yet.

(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)

Two school children and their teacher were killed on Saturday morning when a school bus collided with a train in Mpumalanga.

Sixty two children were on board the bus. They were returning to Pretoria after a school trip to Limpopo.

(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)

Three Tshwane Metro Police officers will find themselves in the dock on Monday thanks to an upstanding shopkeeper who reported their crooked ways to the police.

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The trio and two civilian accomplices apparently tried to sell stock to the shopkeeper they had confiscated from him earlier in the day.

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It is alleged the five seized R90 000 worth of cigarettes and airtime in a bogus raid.

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Strydom said the shop owner reported the matter to the police who then accompanied him to the fast food outlet. After the cash exchanged hands, the cops were arrested.

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The suspects will appear in court on Monday.

(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)

One person has been killed and two police officers�wounded in a shoot out in Benrose in Johannesburg.

The two officers were responding to a report on Saturday of a vehicle which had been stolen. The vehicle was spotted at the notorious George Goch Hostel.

As the SAPS members were inspecting the car, a group of people opened fire on them.

After the gun battle erupted, a VW Jetta arrived on the scene. The attackers then opened fire on the Jetta, killing a passenger.

(Edited by Deshnee Subramany)