Daily news update: King Zwelithini died of Covid-19, no action for VBS-implicated official

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Minneapolis reaches $27m settlement with George Floyd’s family

Portland, OR, USA – Jun 12, 2020: Passers-by stop and take a look at the boarded-up Apple Store in downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place, which has become unofficial canvases for peaceful protest. Artists have also joined to promote peace over violence.

The Minnesota city of Minneapolis reached a $27 million “wrongful death” settlement on Friday with the family of George Floyd, the black man who died while being arrested by a white police officer, sparking mass protests for racial justice across the United States.

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, is currently on trial facing murder and manslaughter charges for Floyd’s death, which was captured on video by bystanders and laid bare racial wounds in the United States.

Buthelezi confirms King Zwelithini succumbed to Covid-19

The late King Goodwill Zwelithini. Picture: Gallo Images/Daily Sun/Jabulani Langa

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, who suffered from diabetes, succumbed to Covid-19-related complications in hospital, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said during a radio interview on Friday.

In an interview on the SABC radio station Ukhozi FM, Buthelezi said the king died from complications related to the virus.

Zwelithini, 72, had been hospitalised for weeks after his glucose blood level became unstable.

EFF adds voice to protesting artists’ pleas for funding

Artists stage a protest at the National Arts Council offices on 11 March, 2021. Photo: Twitter/@tsepomhlongo

As soon as Covid-19 lockdown ensued in March last year, the livelihoods of thousands of artists were instantly throttled. 

Since then, they have been attempting to get relief from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. 

As such, artists have been protesting and staging sit-ins at the NAC’s offices, as well as at the department’s provincial office in Gauteng, and at the Performing Arts Council Free State, a course of action endorsed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). 

ANC Limpopo won’t take action on official implicated in VBS Bank saga

Mamphe Daniel Msiza appears in the Palm Ridge Magistrates court, 12 March 2021 on charges relating to VBS . Picture: Neil McCartney

The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo has confirmed that the party’s provincial Treasurer Danny Msiza after his arrest in the VBS Mutual Bank saga.

DRC halts AstraZeneca vaccine rollout to investigate ‘side-effects’  

A multidisciplinary team mandated by the Provincial Health Division put on personal protective equipment (PPE) in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo on February 26, 2021. (Photo for illustration by Caroline Thirion / AFP)

The Democratic Republic of Congo had received 1.7 million doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 made by Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and was due to start its campaign on March 15.

“As a precautionary measure, we decided to postpone the date for the launch of vaccination in the DRC,” Health Minister Eteni Longondo said in a statement.

The World Health Organization has said that no causal link has been established between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clotting.

ANC supports inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office

Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court appearing on charges of perjury, 21 January 2021. Picture: Neil McCartney

The ANC caucus in Parliament says it supports the process to set up an inquiry to look into whether Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is fit to hold office.

In a statement on Saturday, the ANC’s chief whip, Pemmy Majodina, said the caucus decided to support the setting up of the inquiry.

However, Majodina, added that it was too early for the party to decide whether to vote for or against her removal.

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