South Africa

Pregnant women and those who are planning to conceive are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Portfolio Committee on Police has advised the Civilian Secretariat of Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to speed up the amendment of the SAPS Act, as a means to clarify roles and responsibilities across the police value chain, and to strengthen policing.

As the country wraps up Women’s Month, KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, says more research by women aimed at alleviating the plight of other women should be prioritised by government, academia, industries and NGOs.

The Department of Justice and Correctional Services is taking decisive steps to fight Gender Based Violence and Femicide, says Minister Ronald Lamola.

The Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports and Arts, has called on the South African Police Service to leave no stone unturned in their search for the perpetrators involved in the burning of classrooms at Eastern Cape schools.

Gauteng will add 10 extra Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) to address the current drivers’ licence renewal backlog.

Government is making every effort to reach population immunity and is investigating immunising children with the remaining vaccine stock once most adults are covered.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has told the National Council of Provinces that current scientific reports suggest that vaccination still offers protection against the new COVID-19 variant C.1.2 identified in South Africa.

As the country prepares to enter a new five-year term of democratic local government, the Department of Cooperative Governance is embarking on a review of the journey of local government so far.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has reiterated the call for society to stand in unison with government to fight the battle against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko says her department is committed to the safety of all members of the LGBTQIA+ community living in the province.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande says the departments are finalising the skills and innovation strategies to support government’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has welcomed Team South Africa’s fourth medal achievement at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

The former Executive Director of United Nations Women, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, says the COVID-19 era has brought on a set of new challenges for the journey in the empowerment of women.

South Africa has administered 249 916 COVID-19 vaccines as the virus continues to spread, with over 5 000 new cases recorded on Monday.