Daily news update: Bad news for Magashule, OR Tambo drug bust and Grade 1 and 8 online applications

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No person has died from Covid-19 vaccines, says Sahpra as 46 deaths probed

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) says there are no deaths that have been linked to the Covid-19 vaccine to date.

With just over 12 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines already administered across the country, Sahpra said during a media briefing on Monday that none of the deaths that occurred following vaccination were related to any of the vaccines.

Sahpra said it had received 86 serious adverse events reports relating to the deaths of people who died after receiving the vaccine.

The reports were received between 17 May 2021 to 31 August 2021.

Sisulu’s task team slams claims they and advisor spent millions on travel

The deputy chairperson of one of the advisory committees established by Lindiwe Sisulu while she was the Minister of the Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements has denied claims members of the National Rapid Response Task Teams (NRRTTs) abused state resources on lavish travel, accommodation, and personal laundry services.

This after the DA, in a series of statements, last Thursday said Sisulu’s advisor Mphumzi Mdekazi claimed more than R1.76 million on travel and accommodation since May 2019.

Magashule loses court appeal over ANC suspension

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has lost his appeal application to set aside his suspension from the ANC.

The Johannesburg High Court dismissed his application with costs.

Magashule appealed the high court’s dismissal in July of his bid to overturn his suspension.

He also wanted the court to uphold his attempt to suspend Cyril Ramaphosa as party president, but the court did not rule in his favour.

In its unanimous judgment, the full bench of the high court found that no other court would come to a different conclusion on Magashule’s suspension.

R40 million drug bust at OR Tambo, two arrested

On Monday, South African Revenue Service (Sars) customs officers at the OR Tambo international Airport made a huge drug bust worth R40 million, arresting two people in the process.

Officers announced the seizure of 67 pieces of calcium hydroxide used to produce crystal methamphetamine, otherwise known as “ice” or “tik”.

“The ‘party drug’ weighing 132.41kg and valued at R40 million, was intercepted at a cargo terminal,” reads the statement.

“The customs detector dog unit deployed for routine inspections on an incoming cargo flight. While observing the collection of cargo, a vehicle driver was noticed acting suspiciously.

Over 73,000 Grade 1 and 8 online applications lodged in Gauteng

The Gauteng education department says it has received over 73,000 Grade 1-8 online applications for 2022.

“As of 12 noon on Monday – four hours since going live, a total of 73,305 applications were recorded on our system,” said department spokesperson Steve Mabona.

Of that, 69,300 applications were recorded for Grade 1 and 3,981 Grade 8 applications.

Parents who were unable to register their children for Grade 7 are also now able to make online applications.

Level 2 warning issued for damaging winds in three provinces on Tuesday

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 2 warning for damaging winds in three provinces on Tuesday.

This a few days after warning of veld fire conditions in several places in the Northern Cape and Free State provinces.

“Large uncontrollable veld fires were observed in the past week when north-westerly winds reached 50km/h over the central interior. Moreover, few ‘high-based’ afternoon thunderstorms are also expected in the southern Free State, and such high-based storms are known of resulting in strong surface wind gusty conditions during the change of season as the lower part of the atmosphere is still much drier,” said the weather service of the Free State on Tuesday.