JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Platinum markets have avoided an eruption that would have shaken them to the core with mine nationalisation effectively killed as policy in South Africa, which sits on about 80 percent of the global supply of the precious metal. But they should brace for aftershocks. The world's richest platinum veins lie along the political faultlines of South Africa and Zimbabwe, where income disparities, labour strife and political populism are fueling intense brands of resource nationalism. "All platinum supply, bar bits and pieces, come from southern Africa. ...

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African court ruled on Tuesday its legal system can be used to investigate and prosecute citizens of neighbouring Zimbabwe for suspected of crimes against humanity. The decision by a high court in Pretoria could prod South Africa into launching investigations into high-ranking Harare officials that would strain already difficult diplomatic relations with the power-sharing government in Zimbabwe. The ruling applies to Zimbabweans in South Africa and could be extended to those who have travel plans to the country. ...

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe on Thursday threatened a crackdown on the media over what it called sensational and inaccurate reporting, following stories over the health of 88-year-old President Robert Mugabe. However critics said the warning from the country's information ministry, controlled by Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, could be an attempt to intimidate journalists ahead of elections expected next year. Senior ZANU-PF officials last month were forced to issue statements dismissing reports that Mugabe was seriously ill in Singapore, saying the stories were lies meant to destabilise Zimbabwe. ...