Daily news update: Covid-19 stats, Mthembu passes on and Mkhwebane’s perjury case

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Daily Covid-19 update: New cases up to 11,381 with 647 more deaths

As of Thursday, 21 January 2021, the cumulative number of detected Covid-19 cases is 1,380,807 with 11,381 new cases identified, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has confirmed.

647 more Covid-19 related deaths were reported. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 39,501 .

Recoveries now stand at 1,183,443 representing a recovery rate of 85,7%.

Condolences pour in for late minister Jackson Mthembu

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu Picture: Jacques Nelles

Condolences continue to pour in for anti-apartheid activist and Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, who died on Thursday morning due to Covid-19 complications.

Mthembu tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this month, and government called on those who had come in contact with him to self-quarantine.

He was the fourth member of the executive who had tested positive that week.

Perjury-accused Mkhwebane invokes apartheid, calls SA justice system ‘cruel’

Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the Pretoria Magistrates Court appearing on charges of Perjury, 21 January 2021 . Picture: Neil McCartney

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has thanked her supporters following her appearance before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on three counts of perjury, saying that she hoped that she would one day witness “a democratic South Africa with a fair and objective justice system”.

The embattled public protector took to Twitter to suggest to her more than 130,000 followers that the country’s judiciary had been unfair to her.

AfriForum, Solidarity take Dlamini-Zuma to court after she calls their bluff

Cooperative Governance Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Picture: GCIS

Lobby group AfriForum and trade union Solidarity on Thursday said they were proceeding with the preparation of court papers against Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, over government’s implementation plan for Covid-19 vaccines.

The organisations accused Dlamini-Zuma of failing to respond to a letter of demand that was issued to her on 13 January over the country’s vaccine programme, arguing that government had not been transparent about the details of the plan.

Ramaphosa urged to trim Cabinet for Covid-19 vaccines, not increase taxes

Herman Mashaba addresses the media at a press conference at the Johannesburg city council, 21 October 2019. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark.

Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA has called on government to cut its expenditure rather than increase taxes to pay for Covid-19 vaccines.

Mashaba said in a statement that his political party had launched a public campaign to rally South Africans behind the call for the government to reduce its spending before increasing taxes to fund the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.

SIU findings on Bandile Masuku ‘relied on imaginary wrongdoings’, court hears

Gauteng MEC for Health, Bandile Masuku has been relieved of his duties. Picture: Neil McCartney

The Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) findings and recommendations that resulted in the axing of former Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku lacked proper evidence, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria was told on Thursday.

In addition to that, Masuku’s legal team – led by William Mokhare – said the recommendations were unlawful, invalid and unconstitutional.

409 teachers and 10 pupils have died of Covid-19, DBE reveals

Picture: iStock.

Since the start of the lockdown in May 2020, 409 teachers, 55 non-teaching staff and 10 pupils have lost their lives to Covid-19.

The Department of Basic Education presented these figures to a joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture on Wednesday evening.

Mthethwa apologises for ‘offensive’ tweet as artists say #NathiMustGo

Minister of Sport, Nathi Mthethwa, has announced the interim board of CSA, who must now restore the organisation’s integrity. Picture: CISMedia

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has apologised for his “offensive” tweet regarding theatre in South Africa.

Mthethwa angered artists last week. They have since started an online petition calling for his resignation by 31 January. If he doesn’t resign, President Cyril Ramaphosa must replace him in February 2021, they demand.

Bronkhorstspruit hospital upgrades 95% complete – BMW

The unfinished building at the Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, 18 January 2021. Picture: Neil McCartney

German car manufacturer BMW is adamant that much needed Covid-19 upgrades to the Bronkhorstspruit hospital will be completed in a few weeks.

This comes after “contractual issues” led to work being delayed onsite.

Victims open case against sjambok-wielding Worcester cops

Picture: David Ritchie/ African News Agency/ ANA

The two victims who were assaulted by police officers on camera have been found.

On Wednesday, a video of the officers assaulting two men made rounds on social media.

The video depicts one officer whipping the first man with a sjambok while another searches and slaps a second victim, in the presence of a third officer.

Netcare opens temporary units for patients despite Covid-19 pressure

A nurse in full PPE inside the Nasrec quarantine/isolation site in Nasrec, 3 July 2020. Picture: Neil McCartney

Hospital group Netcare says it has under 3,000 Covid-19 positive patients in its hospitals across the country – and it has now opened temporary Clinical Decision Units (CDUs) in three provinces to deal with the pressure.

In a statement on Thursday, the group said it had opened CDUs in Limpopo, North West and Tshwane, which could accommodate an additional 116 patients.

Funeral parlours facing backlash over excessive pricing claims

A mortuary worker wearing a face mask and gloves prepares supports for coffins, most of them containing the bodies of COVID-19 victims, at the parking of the Collserola funeral parlour in Montcada i Reixac, near Barcelona. More than 900 people died in Spain over the past 24 hours for the second day running, government figures showed on Friday, although the rate of new infections and deaths continued to slow. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP)

As the Covid-19 pandemic generated an immediate boom within the undertaker industry, community and religious bodies have slammed the funeral parlour industry after numerous claims of clients being overcharged for their services.

This comes after resident priest at the Sithambaram Alayam Temple in Bayview, Ravi Govender, sounded the alarm with a statement that received considerable traction on social media.

Africa records higher death rates during Covid-19 ‘second wave’

Covid-19 patients being treated at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital on 11 January 2020 in Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Health systems in Africa hobbled by shortages of oxygen and other resources are struggling with Covid’s “second wave,” pushing the fatality rate above the global average, the continent’s health watchdog said Thursday.

Africa has so far recorded around 3.3 million cases of Covid-19 and nearly 82,000 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Biden unveils sweeping Covid-19 plan in first full day in office

President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at The Queen in Wilmington, Delaware on November 16, 2020. Picture: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

President Joe Biden’s administration unveiled Thursday its plan to turn the tide on Covid-19 in America, where 400,000 people have died, as the US leader tackled his first full day in the White House.

Officials said Biden would immediately sign 10 executive orders and other directives to jumpstart the national strategy.

Orlando Pirates fans call for Josef Zinnbauer axing

Josef Zinnbauer, coach of Orlando Pirates (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)

The calls for Josef Zinnbauer to be relieved of his duties as Orlando Pirates coach have suddenly been raised on social media following the team’s poor displays in recent matches.

An insider at Bucs, however, insists that there is no way “JZ” will be leaving the club anytime soon. Pirates fans have had their say on social media with some questioning Zinnbauer’s team line-ups and substitutions.

Home series against Australia is on, says Cricket SA, as interim board looks ahead

The Proteas celebrate a wicket during their recent home Test series against Sri Lanka. Picture: Gallo Images

A new year brings new challenges for the interim board of Cricket South Africa with arrangements for the Australian Test tour needing to be made and a new structure for the organisation now being considered by the directors.

Judge Zak Yacoob, the chairman of the interim board, said on Thursday that he was confident the incoming tour by Australia would take place, although he did let slip that it was now expected to take place only in April.

Currie Cup semifinal lineups: Who’s in and who’s out

Elton Jantjies in action for the Lions in their match against the Sharks at Ellis Park. Picture: Gallo Images

It’s Currie Cup semifinals weekend.

After numerous cancelled games, teams going down with Covid, and the playoffs (including next week’s final) being pushed back a week to ensure all the teams are as strong as they can be, it’s nearly time for kick-off.

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