South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says accountable, accessible and reachable leadership is key to well-run local government in the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to Johannesburg Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo’s family, friends, colleagues and comrades, and the residents of the City of Johannesburg.

Early prevention programmes, overcoming social norms and consistent conversations around consent and sexual activity were some of the important measures recommended during a webinar on social behaviour change to reduce risky sexual behaviour among the youth and create awareness on the prevention of statutory rape.

Thousands of eligible voters are from 8am today expected to register with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to vote in the Local Government Elections, taking place in November.

An intelligence-driven swoop has halted the operation of an unregistered tobacco manufacturing plant producing molasses/shisha tobacco products in Fordsburg, Johannesburg.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says Home Affairs offices throughout the country will be opened this weekend to assist those people who will be applying for IDs and temporary IDs to enable them to register to vote.

The sport and creative industries can play a catalyst role in South Africa reaching its vaccination targets, and in turn, ensuring life returns to pre-COVID-19 levels, says Deputy President David Mabuza.

As part of government’s ongoing efforts to deal with corruption in the public service, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ayanda Dlodlo, will on Monday launch the Public Administration Ethics Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (PA-EID-TAU).

African countries have – in the past week – administered four times as many COVID-19 vaccines as they have in the past three to four weeks.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says his department remains focused on vaccinating adults against COVID-19, although there are rising infections in children younger than 18.