SA records 3 286 new COVID-19 cases, 164 related fatalities
18 September 2021, 9:40 PM
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has reported 3 286 new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the country in the last 24-hours, bringing the total number of cases to 2 880 349.
As per the National Department of Health statement, a further 164 more people have succumbed to COVID-19 related complications. This puts the total death toll at 86 116.
The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 728 961 with a recovery rate of 94,7%
A s of today the cumulative number of #COVID19 cases identified in SA is 2 880 349 with 3 286 new cases reported. Today 164 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 86 116 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 728 961 with a recovery rate of 94,7% pic.twitter.com/oZFhbMaKbD
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed on Thursday to freeze the financial assets of the junta and their relatives and bar them from travelling in response to the September 5 ouster of President Alpha Conde.
Coup leader Mamady Doumbouya has shrugged off the move, telling high-level ECOWAS envoys that “as soldiers, their work is in Guinea and there is nothing to freeze in their accounts,” junta spokesman Amara Camara said at a briefing.
The comment was made at talks between Doumbouya and the Ivorian and Ghanaian presidents, Alassane Ouattara and Nana Akufo-Addo, who visited Conakry on Friday in an unsuccessful effort to secure Conde’s release.
The bloc’s decision to impose sanctions reflects members’ desire to deter a further democratic backslide in the region after four military-led coups in West and Central Africa since last year.
They have demanded a six-month transition in Guinea. In response, Doumbouya told the delegation the will of the Guinean people should be taken into account, Camara said.
Over the past week the junta has held consultations with public figures and business leaders to map out a framework for a transitional government. It has not yet commented on the results of these talks or said what timeline it has in mind for the transition.
ECOWAS’s credibility in Guinea has been strained since 2018, when the bloc failed to condemn Conde for running for a third term in office last year, despite a law declaring that presidents must step down after two.
Doumbouya and other soldiers behind the coup have said they ousted Conde because of concerns about poverty and corruption.
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Pirates collect maximum points against Chippa United as Chiefs fall to Royal AM
18 September 2021, 9:08 PM
Orlando Pirates are second on the DSTV premiership log standings as they came from a goal down to beat Chippa United 3-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday afternoon.
The win is Pirates’ second in four DSTV premiership matches.
Meanwhile, a few other big name clubs appear to be in freefall.
Cape Town City lost 3-0 to Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium in the Mother City, but the shock of the day belongs to Pirates’ bitter rivals, as Kaizer Chiefs suffered a colossal 4-1 defeat to Royal AM at the FNB Stadium.
Royal AM led 1-0 at the break, and scored two more plus an own goal for Chiefs’ second loss of the season.
Ramaphosa promises to solve electricity crisis in Soweto
18 September 2021, 7:29 PM
President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised the people of Soweto their electricity issues will soon be a thing of the past. He was speaking after interacting with residents in some parts of the township, including Nomzamo informal settlement where residents have had no electricity for over two years and Chiawelo and Naledi, where there have been cut-offs and general generalities power outages.
Ramaphosa was greeted by dozens of protesters during his party’s election campaign in Naledi.
Soweto has been experiencing serious electricity problems compounded by cable theft, and sub-stations have been blown up.
But President Ramaphosa says after meeting with Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, Eskom will soon be working to resolve the electricity problem in Soweto.
Currently, Soweto owes Eskom over R7 billion in paid bills making it difficult for the power utility to buy new transformers and improve its electricity distribution in the township.
ANC president Ramaphosa leads the election campaign with NEC members:
ANC to investigate candidates’ lists concerns
The ANC National Executive Committee has decided to pay attention to the recent disputes that its different branches, regions and provinces have launched regarding the forthcoming local government elections.
The NEC held a special meeting on Friday, in preparation for the voter registration weekend, including to listen to some of the concerns about the candidates’ lists that have been submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
In a statement, the ANC says if there is any proven foul play in the selection of candidates who will represent the party at municipal level, those involved will be prosecuted.
The ANC NEC has announced that it will launch its election manifesto on the weekend of the 27th of this month in Pretoria, where party president, Cyril Ramaphosa will delivering the ANC’s plans, solutions and a way forward, for the local government level.
It’s been a bumpy road for the ANC building to the November 1 municipal elections. Party members have had to approach the ANC headquarters, expressing their dissatisfaction on how the candidate lists were concluded.
However, the NEC says it will continue to investigate these concerns, even after elections and those found guilty will face the full might of the law.
Meanwhile, the ANC’s top leadership is on a campaign trail in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday morning.
Readiness for the voter registration weekend on 18-19 September 2021
ANC says it’s doing all in its power to resolve concerns from its members
The ANC says it is doing all in its power to resolve the concerns that are being brought by its members.
Member protested outside Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Wednesday against the party’s Councillor candidate selection process.
They say the process was fraught with corruption and they are accusing their Provincial List Committees of failing to help them.
ANC Spokesperson, Pule Mabe says not voting would be detrimental to communities.
“When you don’t vote in your own ward, it is not the ANC you are dealing with. You are dealing with yourself. Because the delivery of services done through an ANC councillor impact on your own living condition,” says Mabe.
“If you are so willing that you can give away the livelihood of a community where you stay because there are disputes, then you must be comfortable being led by different people in your own community,” he adds.
Video: Mabe elaborates on the list process:
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Woman in New Zealand charged with murdering her children after arriving from South Africa
18 September 2021, 5:43 PM
A woman charged with murdering her three young daughters, just weeks after the family arrived in New Zealand from South Africa, appeared in court on Saturday.
Lauren Anne Dickason appeared in court in the port city of Timaru in the morning, and a judge remanded her to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, a court spokesperson said.
Dickason, 40, is charged with killing her 2-year-old twins and their 6-year-old sister, police said. Their bodies were found on Thursday at a property where the family stayed.
“Police would like to reassure the community that this was a tragic isolated incident and we are not seeking anyone else,” the police said in a statement late on Friday.
Dickason is to appear in court again on October 5.
The family came to Timaru, a city of 29,000 on New Zealand’s South Island recently, police have said. They left the compulsory two-week managed isolation last week.
New Zealand media reported that Dickason and her husband are doctors.
