South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal is now the epicentre of COVID-19 after the majority (or 2 496) new infections were detected in the province on Monday.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has confirmed that it is in the process of finalising all processes for the payment of gratuity to all the qualifying non-returning former councillors.

In an effort to strengthen strategic partnership relations between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has engaged with potential investors during her four-day visit to Dubai.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the increase in government funding for research and development (R&D) activities.

Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul has called on communities in the Northern Cape to take extra caution in exercising non-pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

With the completion of repair works between Retreat and Fishoek Stations on the Southern Line, commuters in the Western Cape can now travel by train once again.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has returned to duty after ending a week of self-isolation following his positive test for COVID-19 on 12 December 2021.

With increased traffic on the roads during the festive season, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called on motorists to be vigilant and obey the rules of the road at all times.

South Africa conducted 50 377 COVID-19 tests on Sunday, with 15 465 new cases detected.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is continuing his recovery from mild symptoms of COVID-19 after testing positive for the virus on Sunday.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says COVID-19 infections during the fourth wave have exceeded the previous peaks reached in the previous resurgences.

All branches of the South African Post Office (Sapo) will remain open on weekdays and Saturday mornings throughout the festive season.

Portfolio Committee on Transport Chairperson, Mosebenzi Zwane, has called on long-distance drivers and travellers to make use of vaccination sites that will be placed next to roadblocks.

The Department of Basic Education says it is confident that the damage caused by storm at a marking centre in Thaba Nchu, Free State, will not impact adversely on the finalisation and release of results in the province.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has urged people to take the COVID-19 jab in their numbers during the festive season after announcing that vaccination sites will remain open over the holiday period.