Daily news update: Enough with booze bans, Cele willing to ‘account’ and Osaka wins 4th Slam

Here’s your morning news update: Click on the links below for the full story or visit our home page for the latest news.

Bheki Cele willing to ‘account’ to Parliament on Nkandla visit

Jacob Zuma and Bheki Cele at Zuma’s Nkandla homestead on Thurs, 18 Feb 2021 | Picture: Twitter /@DZumaSambudla

Police Minister Bheki Cele says he is willing to account to Parliament on his recent visit to Nkandla to see former president Jacob Zuma.

Cele visited Zuma at his homestead on Thursday, the minister initially refused to disclose details of their discussion pending a debriefing with top ANC leadership.

Daily Covid-19 update: 1,690 new cases, over 10,000 healthcare workers vaccinated

A healthcare worker holds up a syringe of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, 17 February 2021, as health workers receive the first jabs of the vaccine in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Michel Bega

As of Saturday, 20 February 2021, the cumulative number of detected Covid-19 cases is 1,502 367with 1,690 new cases identified, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has confirmed.

81 more Covid-19 related deaths were reported, with 3 from Eastern Cape, 5 from Free State, 29 from Gauteng, 23 from Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), 0 from Limpopo, 6 from Mpumalanga and 15 from Western Cape.

No more future booze bans, please!

What happens when something people really want is banned? Do they stop wanting it? Or do they find other ways to access it? Our experience with the lockdown alcohol ban answers this question and must give policymakers pause when considering their future plans.

According to the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (Tracit), liquor bans have spurred the growth of the black market in alcohol.

File picture. Buying sparkling wine at the Liquor City in Karaglen, Edenvale, 18 August 2020 on the first day that liquor and tobacco sales are allowed after moving to level 2 of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: Neil McCartney

JPSA warns motorists of ‘capture errors’ causing incorrect infringements

A warning has been issued for motorists from Justice Project South Africa (JPSA) of traffic fines they receive or appear on their banking app or online.

The organisation said they are aware of ‘capture errors’ causing motorists to be incorrectly charged with infringements and criminal offences they didn’t commit.

Picture: Stock

EFF calls for university student debt, registration fees to be waived this year

Wits University students protest against homelessness and a lack of campus accommodation, in Johannesburg, 4 March 2020. Picture: Nigel Sibanda

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic’s detrimental effects on economies around the world, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for all historic student debts and registration fees for 2021 to be waived. 

This, they said in a statement on Friday, was to allow for all students to be allowed to register, regardless of any money owned to universities and colleges. 

ANC also wants to know why Bheki Cele went to Nkandla

Jacob Zuma and Bheki Cele at Zuma’s Nkandla homestead on Thurs, 18 Feb 2021 | Picture: Twitter /@DZumaSambudla

The ANC was not privy to the discussions Police Minister Bheki Cele had with former President Jacob Zuma, party Secretary-General Ace Magashule has said.

Magashule responded to questions from journalists on Friday afternoon following his court appearance on fraud, corruption, and money-laundering charges.

Fawu to take strike action against Tongaat-Hulett after ‘useless’ 3.5% increase offer

Trade Union Fawu members march along Commissioner Street in Johannesburg, 6 February 2013, to Johannesburg Central police station to demand an investigation into the 1982 death of apartheid activist Neil Aggett in police custody. Picture: Nigel Sibanda

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU) has announced they will embark on industrial action on Monday 22 February, in demand for better wages and working conditions.

Fawu said in a statement: “The dispute arose after parties failed to reach an agreement in terms of the union’s demands as mandated by our members at a CCMA case held on 14 December 2020.

More than 200 million Covid-19 vaccine doses administered globally

A member of the medical staff holds a vial of the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine at the South Ile-de-France Hospital Group (Groupe Hospitalier Sud Ile-de-France), in Melun, on the outskirts of Paris, on 8 February 2021 during a visit of French Health Minister for an AstraZeneca vaccine injections campaign for people under the age of 65. Picture: Thomas Samson/AFP

More than 200 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in at least 107 countries and territories, according to an AFP count based on official sources Saturday.

In total 201,042,149 doses had been given worldwide by 10:00 GMT — a figure that does not include the latest data from China and Russia, who have stopped making their progress public in recent days.

Kim Kardashian files for divorce from Kanye West

(FILES) In this file photo US media personality Kim Kardashian (L) and husband US rapper Kanye West attend the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 92nd Oscars at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste Lacroix / AFP)

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from rapper Kanye West after almost seven years of marriage, her publicist told AFP Friday.

The mega-celebrity couple’s divorce proceedings come just weeks after US media reported the pair were living separately and going through counselling dealing with “regular relationship issues.”

One Slam at a time, says Osaka as expectations soar

Naomi Osaka of Japan holds the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Jennifer Brady of the United States on Saturday at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Picture: EPA-EFE

Japan’s Naomi Osaka promised Saturday not to be weighed down by “pressure and expectation” after her latest Grand Slam victory sparked talk she could end up winning 10 majors.

The 23-year-old won her fourth Slam from the last eight she’s contested with the comfortable 6-4, 6-3 victory in 77 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Chiefs squander lead to draw with SuperSport

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 20: Onismor Bhasera of Supersport United challenged by Siyabonga Ngezana of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United at FNB Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix/Gallo Images)

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.