First Take SA

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the Coronavirus pandemic is far from over and government is implementing a resurgence plan to combat the spread of the virus - particularly in the Eastern Cape. Ramaphosa was delivering a national address on the government's response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Ramaphosa says 20 thousand and 11 people have died from COVID 19 and more than 742 thousand cases have been reported.

Former Denel Group CEO, Zwelakhe Ntshepe has conceded that he failed to act in the best interest of Denel when he approved the awarding of a multimillion-rand 10-year contract to Gupta-owned VR Laser in breach of Denel's own procurement processes. The State Capture Commission of Inquiry in Johannesburg also heard that Denel bought 51% into a company called LMT holdings with an advanced payment of R12 million despite the fact that the company was already in financial trouble.

Public money watchdog SCOPA in Parliament wants alleged fraud and corruption by International retail giant Steinhoff to be followed to the end. SCOPA Chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa made this plea when the Anti Corruption Task Team led by NPA Head Shamila Batohi briefed SCOPA on various priority cases of fraud and corruption pursued by the task team. There are 243 cases prioritised by the task team.

The multimillion rand asbestos corruption case will resume in the Bloemfontein Regional Court TODAY. Seven people and five companies face more than 60 charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. They stand accused of alleged involvement in the irregular awarding of the 255 million rand tender

Over 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this number is growing every year. Most people with diabetes Type 1 will eventually need to be treated with insulin, currently only available as an injection. This is a painful experience as in some cases, it requires multiple finger pricks and insulin injections per day to monitor and keep blood glucose levels within the desired range. But there is good news beckoning on the horizon. Oramed Pharmaceuticals a biotechnology company based in the United States and Israel is developing an oral drug delivery system aptly named Oramed's oral insulin. This could be the first oral insulin available on the market and a game changer in how diabetes is treated.

ANC secretary general, Ace Magashule, says he is not aware of his imminent arrest. This relates to his alleged involvement in the controversial 250 million rand asbestos contract in the Free State, while he was premier. Earlier reports suggested that he would appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court TODAY.

THE CRL Commission has heard harrowing allegations against the leader of the Rivers of Living Waters Church, Archbishop Stephen Zondo. A number of former members of his Evaton-based congregation in Gauteng have approached the CRL with numerous grievances. The CRL is currently holding hearings on the accusations that include rape and murder. The witnesses have painted Zondo as a Satanist who's parading as a Christian minister.

One person has been arrested for discharging an air gun, following yesterday's violent clashes between EFF supporters and parents outside Brackenfell High School in Cape Town. Clashes erupted at the school over a private celebration, organised by some parents at the school

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation later this week on government's response to Covid-19 pandemic. In his weekly letter on Monday, Ramaphosa warned that a resurgence of the Coronavirus pandemic will dramatically reverse the country's health gains and hamper its economic recovery plan. His address will be preceded by the meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet respectively.

Arms manufacturer DENEL's former chief financial officer Pieter Knoetze has told the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in Johannesburg that the company's money was used to bailout one of its suppliers LMT Holdings. He says this was despite warnings from auditors. According to evidence before the commission LMT Holdings was paid before it delivered on its contract to DENEL.