South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received with sadness, the disturbing news of the death of President of the Republic of Chad Marshal Idriss Déby Itno.

Over the last five years, about R32 billion has been invested through funding initiatives within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) in nearly 800 black industrialist businesses and black entrepreneurs.

Social Development Deputy Minister, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will today continue her drive to get children in Early Childhood Development (ECD) back to school by distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to ECD centres across the Western Cape.

South Africa recorded 130 more COVID-19 deaths, with 853 people testing positive in the past 24 hours.

The Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) unit of the Department of Employment and Labour has issued 14 businesses with 33 non-compliance notices during a blitz inspection conducted at Tower Mall, Jouberton, in the North West.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has praised the bravery and dedication of firefighters in their efforts to contain the fire that caused massive destruction after it started in the Table Mountain National Park on Sunday.

The City of Cape Town has commended businesses who have stepped up to support over 1 000 students affected by the Cape Town fire.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has assured the Vaal community and business sector that government is committed to restoring dilapidated infrastructure, which has over the years contributed to the pollution of the Vaal River.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has noted a significant increase in the budget allocation by government to fund the children of the working class through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

The Mahlabathini Magistrates Court in KwaZulu-Natal has slapped a pupil with a community-based sentence of 12 months, after she was convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, has commended the Public Order Police (POP) unit attached to the Qonce policing precinct for the manner in which they handled a violent protest.

The Department of Social Development says a total of R140 369 138 has been processed for the Early Childhood Development Employment Stimulus Relief Fund (ECD-ESRF) payments.

The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) has put various measures in place to ensure patients still receive the best care, with minimal disruptions to service delivery.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says government is hoping to inoculate 46.2 million South Africans by March 2022.

Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina, has kicked off her week-long visit to KwaZulu-Natal with a visit to the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).