Daily news update: Covid-19 stats, Cyclone Eloise aftermath and Baroka holds Chiefs

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Daily Covid-19 update: 6,041 new cases confirmed, taking total to 1,423,578

Source: Department of Health

As of Tuesday, 26 January 2021, the cumulative number of detected Covid-19 cases is 1,423,578 with 6,041 new cases identified, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has confirmed.

680 more Covid-19 related deaths were reported. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 41,797.

Recoveries now stand at 1,254,674 representing a recovery rate of 88%.

Vaccine touchdown? Cargo plane arrives at OR Tambo from India

Passengers move through during a media tour of the domestic terminal of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, 28 August 2020. The tour was to showcase the developments and protocols that are in place after the Covid-19 alert level dropped to level 2 and how it affects the airport. There has been a big increase in travellers flying from the airport after inter-provincial travel was allowed recently. Picture: Neil McCartney

Planespotter forums are abuzz after an unusual charter cargo plane from Mumbai landed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport on Tuesday morning.

Speculation by enthusiasts, who track the movements of planes as a hobby in closed Whatsapp and Facebook groups, is that this arrival could be carrying the first batch of South Africa’s keenly-awaited vaccines, or material relating to the vaccines.

Two dead, hundreds displaced as Eloise threatens a comeback

A view of the overflowing Hans Merenskydam that has been spilling over after heavy rains following cyclone Eloise making landfall in Mozambique, 24 January 2021, Limpopo. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Tropical storm Eloise is currently moving through western parts of Botswana, but it is expected to link up with another weather system which could kickstart more heavy rains across the country. 

This according to South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Ezekiel Sibeko, who was part of a briefing conducted by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 

Zondo denies claims he met with Zuma before latter’s walkout

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Picture: Karen Sandison/African News Agency

The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture chair Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has dismissed claims that he met with former president Jacob Zuma, in the chairperson’s chambers, before Zuma’s infamous walkout from the commission without the chair’s permission.

In a statement on Tuesday, the commission’s secretary Itumeleng Mosala said the commission noted certain media reports over the weekend on the matter.

SSA money was used to fund ANC factions ahead of elections, Jafta tells Zondo inquiry

Loyiso Jafta, SSA acting director-general. Picture: Screenshot

Acting director-general of State Security Agency (SSA) Loyiso Jafta on Tuesday made damning claims about the ANC before the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

Jafta said maladministration was at its peak when he joined the agency back in 2017. He said systems of proper management, particularly of the finances and expenditure, were not adhered to.

Festive season is over. Why are we still in lockdown? Alan Winde wants answers

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde. Picture: Courtney Africa.

Pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to lift the adjusted alert level 3 restrictions that came into effect in late December last year.

The NCCC returned South Africa to level 3 lockdown amid the second surge in Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations during the festive season.

Eskom’s wet-coal strategy seems to have paid off, power utility says

Mountains of coal at a coal-fired power plant. Picture: Twitter

Eskom says the wet-coal strategy the power utility began to implement more than a year and a half ago seems to have paid off, looking at how the entity managed to weather the recent downpours resulting from the now downgraded tropical storm Eloise.

The power utility said on Monday that the tropical storm had not caused any major disruptions to its operations.

Nearly one million vehicles to be recalled over faulty airbags

Almost one million vehicles in South Africa will have to be recalled for inspection as a “precautionary measure” because of faulty airbags that could harm or kill vehicle occupants.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) sent out an SMS to the public.

This was due to them being fitted with possibly faulty Takata airbag inflators between 2002 and 2015.

Lesufi wants probe of R430 million spent on unnecessary schools sanitation

Gauteng MEC of Education, Panyaza Lesufi speaks to media at Elspark Hoerskool in Boksburg, 17 November. He was visiting the school after a video showing a fight at the school in which two learners were stabbed was posted on the internet. Picture: Neil McCartney

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says he is shocked by the exorbitant amount spent on decontamination and sanitisation of schools in the province.

On Monday, it emerged that the department spent well over R430 million in three months on decontaminating schools due to Covid-19.

Solidarity to petition WHO over alleged plans to prioritise black business in vaccine roll-out

Picture: iStock

Trade union Solidarity says it will send an urgent letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Coronavirus Command Council about government’s plans to promote black empowerment in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines.

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly told the ANC’s top six officials and the Progressive Business Forum last week, that the rollout of vaccines in the country would provide an opportunity for black empowerment.

‘She must stand in the dock’ – EFF rejects Mpumalanga premier’s ‘back-door’ strategy

Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane delivers the welcoming remarks during the official service for Jackson Mthembu. Picture: Twitter/@GovernmentZA

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Mpumalanga on Tuesday rejected Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane’s decision to sign a statement of guilt and pay a fine after she was captured on television not wearing a mask at the funeral of late Cabinet minister, Jackson Mthembu, in Emalahleni at the weekend.

Restaurants association takes booze fight to the President’s front door (video)

People have drinks at a popular bar Melville, Johannesburg. 22 August 2020. Restaurants and bars have their first weekend of being able to serve alcohol since the national lockdown was announced in March 2020. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark

The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) has demanded an urgent inter-ministerial meeting to have their demands reviewed and taken directly to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Tuesday RASA began the second day of a sit-in at the union buildings in Pretoria over the alcohol ban.

Government-funded bus company battling arson attacks, R16 million up in smoke in 4 months

Three of the remaining buses in the Roselite Bus Service fleet were completely burnt by the arson attack more than two weeks ago. Photo: Northglen News

VBS bank case heading to High Court as more suspects added

Former VBS Mutual Bank chair Tshifhiwa Matodzi and his accomplices appear at Palm Ridge Regional Court in Johannesburg, 18 June 2020, after charges of theft of billions of rands from the bank. Picture: Nigel Sibanda

The VBS Mutual Bank case is headed for the High Court.

The case came briefly before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, when it was postponed due to additional suspects, that the state has its eye on, to be added and for transfer to the High Court.

Two-thirds of SA adults say they’re willing to take Covid-19 vaccine – survey

Around the world, 29 potential vaccines are currently being tested on humans. AFP/File/CHANDAN KHANNA

Sixty-seven percent of South African adults say they would definitely or probably take the Covid-19 vaccine if it became available, according to a new study released on Monday from the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Centre for Social Change.

Brave Baroka hold Chiefs

Lebogang Manyama celebrates his goal with teammates during the DStv Premiership 2020/21 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on January 19, 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

It was one of those games where a share of the spoils was perhaps a fair result as both Kaizer Chiefs and Baroka deserved something out of their DStv Premiership match played at FNB Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw and each team took point home, which didn’t help either side on the standings as they remained where they were before the game.

Pakistan in trouble as Rabada leads Proteas fightback

Kagiso Rabada has been one of the star’s of this year’s IPL in the UAE. Picture: Getty Images

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two wickets for just eight runs as he led a South African fightback against Pakistan in their first Test in Karachi Tuesday.

Pakistan were in trouble at 33 for four at the close of play, having bowled out the visitors for 220 — their second-lowest total in the country. Fourteen wickets fell on the brownish National Stadium pitch, which had been expected to take spin from day one.

ASA boss Skhosana in the firing line: Petition demands he step down

Sascoc acting president Aleck Skhosana. Picture: Gallo Images

Athletics South Africa president Aleck Skhosana has been placed in the firing line, with a petition doing the rounds on social media calling for his removal, but based on the lack of support it has received, his position seems safe for now.

With the sport still on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the athletics community had widely voiced their frustration in recent months after multiple other codes had been relaunched at elite level.

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