Bathabile Dlamini receiving medical attention in hospital, says ANC

The African National Congress (ANC) has announced that National Executive Committee (NEC) member and ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini has tested positive for Covid-19.

According to the party, Dlamini is in hospital, receiving medical attention.

“We wish comrade Bathabile a speedy recovery and hope that she successfully completes her medical treatment so that she can return to office and continue serving the movement,” said the party in a statement on Tuesday.

“Comrade Bathabile’s courage and resolve to beat Covid-19 should inspire all of us to stand together against this pandemic. We also wish many other South Africans who are battling with Covid-19 well. We must continue to defend each other and protect one another.”

The party further called on South Africans to show compassion and solidarity with those who are infected and to offer support to those who lost their loved ones to Covid-19.

“We must all continue to pratise basic health protocols and adhere to regulations. We must continue to wear our face masks, practise good hygiene, observe social distancing and vaccinate as it is the right thing to do. Vaccination will also allow our country to achieve the much needed herd immunity necessary to ease lockdowns,” it said.

“It is only when we all work together that we can reduce the rate of transmission and ultimately defeat this deadly coronavirus.”

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa recorded 10,346 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2.708,951.

The increase represents a 18.6% positivity rate.

The country has also recorded 369 new deaths, bringing total fatalities to 79,953 to date.

The majority of new cases on Tuesday are from KwaZulu-Natal (31%), followed by Western Cape and Eastern Cape which accounted for 20% each.

Gauteng Province accounted for 9%; Free State accounted for 7%; Mpumalanga accounted for 5%; Northern Cape and North West accounted for 3% each; and Limpopo Province accounted for 2% of today’s new cases.

Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde