South Africa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Pinky Kekana has expressed concern at the high number of incidents in which women are brutally murdered.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has called on applicants of the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, who did not collect their R350 grant from the previous cycle, to do so before 31 August 2021.

With the current backlog that is being experienced at Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs), government is further extending the grace period for the renewal of licences.

South Africa is expecting to receive at least 2.2 million more Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses at the weekend.

The Western Cape and Northern Cape have recorded COVID-19 positivity rates above the national average.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has once again encouraged all South Africans over the age of 18 to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Swift police action has led to the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the recent callous murder of senior Gauteng Department of Health finance official, Babita Deokaran.

The Department of Employment and Labour has welcomed the arrest of a bookkeeper accused of swindling the Unemployment Insurance Fund COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) of R11.1 million.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council has approved the extension of contracts for staff appointed at COVID-19 sites for a further six months to help fight the third wave and potential fourth wave.

South Africa administered 265 484 COVID-19 vaccine doses on Thursday, pushing the total number of vaccines that have been given so far to 11 648 851.

As the levels of youth unemployment reach alarming levels, Deputy President David Mabuza says government will look at incentivising discouraged work-seekers and employers to address the challenge.

Deputy President David Mabuza has called on all sectors of the economy to rethink the project of nation building and social cohesion to quell racial tensions, and build an inclusive economy in light of the recent incidents of civil unrest, especially in Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal.

Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has emphasised the importance of securing the N3 as a Smart Freight Corridor.

North West Leader of Government Business and Finance MEC, Motlalepula Rosho, has been sworn in as the Acting North West Premier.

While strides have been made to ensure gender equality over the years, work is continuing to accelerate these actions.