South Africa

North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has urged people in the category of 35 years old and above to seize the opportunity to register for their COVID-19 vaccination.

The Health Department has officially opened the vaccine registration system to allow people aged 35 and above to register to get their COVID-19 vaccine from 1 August, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South African Army Chief General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha has ordered that all reserve members report for duty.

South Africa has registered 17 489 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the cumulative number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 236 805.

The vaccination rollout programme in the basic education sector came to an end on Wednesday, with more than 500 000 educators and staff having been vaccinated.

North West Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Desbo Mohono has warned the public against burning vegetation for land preparation and disposing of cigarette stubs, matches and lighters where they can potentially cause a fire.

The National School of Government (NSG) has invited public servants to enrol in a new course on strategies to revitalise the economy, which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government has called on communities that are affected by the ongoing violence in parts of the country to act within the prescripts of the law and not to use weapons to deal with the matter.

Appealing for peace and calm, incoming amaZulu King Misuzulu Zulu KaZwelithini has instructed his subjects to withdraw from participating in the wanton destruction of businesses, looting and public violence gripping KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

A further deployment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to areas affected by the ongoing violent attacks in Gauteng and KwaZulu was being considered, President Cyril Ramaphosa has told political party leaders.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has condemned the violent riots, which have left some of the community radio stations in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal wrecked.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has urged provinces to utilise the R13.4 billion allocated to them to improve the quality of service delivery on the ground in this financial year.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) has launched an online voter registration facility allowing new voters to register and existing voters to update or amend their registration from the ease and convenience of their homes or elsewhere.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says those who choose lawlessness, and to destroy the country and its people will face the force of the law.

While the COVID-19 vaccination programme is continuing across most provinces, the National Health Department said the rollout of the lifesaving vaccine has been impacted in the unrest-struck provinces.