South Africa

South Africans pray for their national hero as he continues to battle a lung infection in a Pretoria hospital.

The former South African president, Nelson Mandela, is in hospital after a recurrence of his lung infection.

“Blade Runner” athlete Oscar Pistorius appears briefly at a pre-trial hearing in Pretoria, where the magistrate sets 19 August as the date for his trial for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.

On the eve of Oscar Pistorius’ next court appearance, South African journalist Debora Patta meets the Paralympian’s coach who says the runner had a fascination with guns and could lose his temper.

On Tuesday Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives the Templeton prize for his work in “affirming life’s spiritual dimension”. But the civil rights activist has not said what he will do with the £1.1m award.

Nelson Mandela is making “steady progress” after being admitted to hospital on Wednesday night with a recurring lung infection, South African president Jacob Zuma says.

Nelson Mandela, the former South African president, is “responding positively” to treatment after being admitted to a hospital with a recurring lung infection, the government says.

Mines are closing across South Africa, forcing miners into illegal shafts, many of which face imminent collapse. Channel 4 News reports on miners risking their lives to feed their families.

Amid the strikes, the job cuts and the violent Marikana protests – Jamal Osman reveals the appalling conditions in the country’s illegal mines that many workers are forced now to turn to.

A man has died in custody after being tied to the back of a police van and dragged away following an argument over where he had parked his taxi, according to local reports.

The brother of “blade runner” Oscar Pistorius is facing a culpable homicide charge for a 2008 road death, the family lawyer has said.

South African reporter Debora Patta and Gareth A Davies, who has known Oscar Pistorius for a decade, discuss the athlete’s release on bail.

In a dramatic conclusion to a four-day bail hearing, Oscar Pistorius is granted bail to await trial for the murder of his girlfriend. But women’s campaigners criticise “cheers” in court.

Listen to the decision of the South African magistrate Desmond Nair who rules that Oscar Pistorius has made a successful case to be released on bail.