Daily news update: Covid-19 stats, Vaccines to arrive on Monday and R2,2m budget for SONA

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Daily Covid-19 update: SA records 7,707 new cases, 753 deaths

As of Wednesday, 27 January 2021, the cumulative number of detected Covid-19 cases is 1,430,648 with 7,707 new cases identified, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has confirmed.

753 more Covid-19 related deaths were reported. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 42,550.

Recoveries now stand at 1,263,476 representing a recovery rate of 88,3%.

Here are the details of 2021’s virtual State of the Nation Address

The annual State of the Nation Address (Sona) will have no red carpet or opportunities for outrageous fashion statements, and will likely cost significantly less due to its virtual nature, thanks to Covid-19.

This was revealed during a virtual media briefing where Parliament provided tentative details into how Sona 2021 would take place. The address must still adhere to regulations laid out in the Disaster Management Act.

Vaccines to undergo maximum 14 day quarantine period before distribution – Mkhize

After a long wait, watching while millions of people around the world received their various vaccinations against the novel coronavirus, a million doses of the Oxford University developed AstraZeneca vaccine will finally land in South Africa on 1 February.

However, said Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, it would be between 10 and 14 days before the vaccine left quarantine, as specified by law.

Mpumalanga Premier’s criminal record confirmed

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane has traded minutes without a mask for a potential 10 years with a criminal record.

The premier sparked public outcry on Sunday, when she was filmed without a mask on at the late Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu’s funeral in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.

SABC agrees to consider alternatives to retrenchments

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)’s board has agreed to consider alternatives to retrenchments.

The public broadcaster has been in the process of retrenching around 300 employee in order to reduce their wage bill and make the organisation financially sustainable.

Wine industry head to court over booze ban after R8bn in losses

Wine produce representatives, Vinpro has revealed that it will be approaching the Western Cape High Court to force the government’s hand to lift the blanket ban of alcohol.

The organisation says that the government has not been transparent in its reasons for the continued ban on alcohol.

‘We don’t need their validation’ – Malema on the front foot ahead of municipal elections

As South Africa prepares for local government elections later this year in the midst of a pandemic, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was trending on Twitter on Wednesday with a video highlighting his party’s undeterred spirit to influence the country’s political landscape.

Sahpra resolves to facilitate controlled use of Ivermectin to treat Covid-19

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has resolved to facilitate a controlled, compassionate use of Ivermectin to treat Covid-19.

Doctors who register for its use will have to report to Sahpra on its rollout. Sahpra is yet to publish the guidelines for its use.

Cyclone Eloise: Death toll in SA rises to four

At least four people in South Africa have died in the wake of tropical storm Eloise as it swept through the country, causing flash floods and heavy rain.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Monday four people had died following heavy rain, including a five-year-old boy who was swept away by floods in Mpumalanga and a 14-year-old who drowned in KwaZulu-Natal.

8 things you need to know about SA’s Covid-19 vaccine plan

As South Africans eagerly await the start of mass inoculations in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of confusion around the procurement of the vaccines and how they will be distributed and administered once they arrive in the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize have also promised that the country will receive its first shipment of vaccines from India soon.

I’m not here to make friends with anyone – Mashaba explains EFF exclusion from multi-party meeting

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba on Wednesday clarified his party’s reasons for excluding the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from their proposal of a multi-party engagement platform to respond more effectively to the Covid-19 crisis in the country.

Mashaba announced on Tuesday that he had written to several leaders of opposition parties about the platform, but he deliberately excluded the EFF and the governing ANC.

ConCourt set to rule on Zondo commission vs Jacob Zuma

The Constitutional Court will hand down judgment in the case between secretary of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture and former president Jacob Zuma on Thursday.

It will rule on whether Zuma is legally obliged to appear and give evidence before the commission.

Gun organisation up in arms over State Capture spy agency testimony

Safe Citizen Campaign has come out guns blazing against the government following blockbuster allegations at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture on Tuesday that the State Security Agency (SSA) allegedly unlawfully gave guns to “non-members.”

The revelations were made exactly four days before the closing date of the amnesty period for gun owners with expired licenses to return them or face prosecution upon failure to do so.

DA on vaccine procurement: ‘Five minutes later there will be corruption’

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced that it will proceed with it court action to get the full details of the Covid-19 vaccine procurement and roll-out strategy from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

This was confirmed on Wednesday by the party’s federal chair, Hellen Zille.

‘Arrogant’ Ingonyama Trust under fire for irregular expenditure, mismanagement

Members of the parliamentary portfolio committee on agriculture, land reform and rural development have expressed outrage at the lack of financial accountability at the Ingonyama Trust (IT) and the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB).

Shonisani Lethole’s severe Covid-19 infection worsened by negligence, says heath ombud

Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, on Wednesday said one of his findings into the death of businessman Shonisani Lethole at Tembisa Tertiary Hospital last year was that his severe Covid-19 infection was “compounded” by medical negligence.

Presidency appoints Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as acting minister to replace Mthembu

Following the abrupt death of Cabinet minister Jackson Mthembu last Thursday, a new acting minister has been appointed.

Minister of Small Business Development Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has been appointed as acting minister in the Presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Wednesday.

Vaal Dam levels continue to rise steadily

The Vaal Dam is more than 10% fuller currently than it was around the same time last year. 

This as steady rainfall across Gauteng continues to fill up the Integrated Vaal River System’s (IVRS’s) 14 dams that provide water to parts of the province, and industries such as Eskom and Sasol. The Vaal Dam is currently at 78.1%, up from 76.6% last week. 

Senior advocate Kemp J Kemp succumbs to Covid-19

Senior advocate and former legal representative of former president Jacob Zuma, Kemp J Kemp, has died of Covid-19.  The news was confirmed to The Citizen by the Society of Advocates of KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday morning. 

MacG saga sparks conversation on homophobia as celebs choose sides

Earlier this week, Twitter users were outraged by distasteful comments made by media personality MacGyver Mukwevho, popularly known as MacG and his co-host Sol Phenduka on his Youtube podcast called Podcast and Chill.

The comments were labelled transphobic and homophobic by members of the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies.

WhatsApp assures customers that their privacy is safe

Messaging platform WhatsApp has joined WhatsApp stories in a bid to communicate changes directly with customers.

This after a frenzy of panic among the app’s users earlier this year when it was announced that changes to their terms of use and privacy policy would give Facebook free rein to snoop around their conversations in order to allow for better-targeted ads on other Facebook-owned platforms.

Hunt hints at a chance of league title if they keep momentum going

Kaizer Chiefs coach, Gavin Hunt has hinted that his team may just stand a chance of clinching the coveted DStv Premiership title should they keep their points rate as is or better it.

Amakhosi have collected 11 points out of a possible 15 in their last five games, which has seen then jump from 14th to seventh on the log standings.

Currie Cup final conditions perfect for Bosch to shine – Van Straaten

Expect the prolific kicking boot of Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch to play a crucial role in Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Bulls at Loftus – especially if the surface is wet and slippery.

This is the opinion of former Springbok flyhalf prolific goal-kicker Braam van Straaten, who nowadays travels the country helping kickers with their technique.

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