Oscar Pistorius asked a friend to take the blame for him after he accidentally fired a gun at the floor of a restaurant, his murder trial heard today.

Oscar Pistorius' defence lawyer last night again tried to pick holes in the testimony of witnesses who said they heard fighting the morning Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

The murder trial of the world's most famous disabled athlete begins in Pretoria next week. What should we expect?

Three weeks out from Oscar Pistorius' murder trial, investigators want access to his iPhone to check his text messages so they can be presented in court.

P.K. Stowers visits Cape Town's famous harbour and gets a view from the waves.

In the first of a new series on ambassadors in New Zealand, we talk to South African High Commissioner Zodwa Lallie.

On a public holiday dedicated to reconciliation, South Africans started coming to terms with the loss of Nelson Mandela, unveiling a giant statue to honour his struggle for equality.

South Africa put on a display of military might as Nelson Mandela was laid to rest in his home village of Qunu.

Several thousand guests, some singing and dancing, have gathered for Nelson Mandela's state funeral in a huge tent at the family compound of the anti-apartheid leader.

For many years, the cry was: "What will happen to South Africa after Mandela?" That time has come.

For the thousands of grieving South Africans who came to pay their respects, it was the final confirmation of news they could hardly believe. For many, it proved too much to bear.

The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial who has been accused of being a fake has signed at past ANC events.

"There was no meaning in what he used his hands for." An investigation is launched into whether a fake sign language interpreter worked his way into Mandela's service.

"You should always remember that the television cameras are always on." David Cameron has laughed off criticism of his funeral 'selfie' with US President Obama.

Burglars broke into the Cape Town home of South African peace icon Desmond Tutu when he was away speaking at Nelson Mandela's memorial.

He may be well known at home but according to major US paper, John Key was just an "unidentified guest" at Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

Nelson Mandela the peacemaker has achieved something in his death that had not been seen before. A US President shook hands with a President of Cuba.

US President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, a simple gesture that signalled possible thawing between the leaders of two Cold War foes.

Obama exhorted the world to embrace Nelson Mandela's universal message of peace and justice, electrifying tens of thousands of rain-lashed spectators and prompting a standing ovation.

Spectators at the memorial service for Nelson Mandela jeered at South Africa's leader Jacob Zuma, embarrassing him and reflecting the ANC's current challenges.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is remembered at a memorial ceremony at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.

Three members of New Zealand’s delegation will not be able to attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral after the South African government imposed a strict two-person limit.

All Blacks great Sean Fitzpatrick has paid tribute to Nelson Mandela, saying meeting him and playing in South Africa was a dream come true.

PM John Key says a 'good blend' of people will represent NZ at Nelson Mandela's funeral - despite criticism anti-apartheid campaigner John Minto's not one of them.

Nelson Mandela wasn't on life support and had many family members and doctors close by in his final hours, a family friend who was at his bedside said today.