First Take SA

Some health workers believe the handling of the Covid-19 procurement for personal protective equipment (PPE) by government will continue to impact negatively on the health sector, unless drastic measures are taken soon. The PPE corruption scandal has angered many South Africans and the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled it murder. Twenty-four thousand health workers have contracted the Coronavirus in SA and 181 of them have died from COVID-19.

Some health workers believe the handling of the Covid-19 procurement for personal protective equipment (PPE) by government will continue to impact negatively on the health sector, unless drastic measures are taken soon. The PPE corruption scandal has angered many South Africans and the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled it murder. Twenty-four thousand health workers have contracted the Coronavirus in SA and 181 of them have died from COVID-19.

The owner of the Victorian Guest House in Krugersdorp, Frederick Hendrik Coetzee, has confirmed that he hosted former Minister Nomvula Mokonyane's 40th birthday party in 2003. The event was paid for by Bosasa. Coetzee was testifying at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. The Commission also heard that Bosasa ordered meat for Mokonyane to the value of 17-thousand rand. Last year, Mokonyane was implicated in the testimony of former Bosasa chief operations officer, Angelo Agrizzi, who alleged that she received cash bribes among other things to secure lucrative government tenders and to shield the company from criminal prosecution.

The owner of the Victorian Guest House in Krugersdorp, Frederick Hendrik Coetzee, has confirmed that he hosted former Minister Nomvula Mokonyane's 40th birthday party in 2003. The event was paid for by Bosasa. Coetzee was testifying at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. The Commission also heard that Bosasa ordered meat for Mokonyane to the value of 17-thousand rand. Last year, Mokonyane was implicated in the testimony of former Bosasa chief operations officer, Angelo Agrizzi, who alleged that she received cash bribes among other things to secure lucrative government tenders and to shield the company from criminal prosecution.

The Chief Whip of the EFF Floyd Shivambu has introduced a private members' s bill in the Standing Committee on Finance to nationalise the South African Reserve Bank .. The bill was originally introduced by the party leader, Julius Malema, in 2018 but lapsed due to the term of the fifth Parliament expiring. But Parliament's legal advisor says the bill could face constitutional challenges. According to a Constitutional court judgement of 2012 private members bills must be treated the same way as a bill introduced by a member of the Executive.

The Chief Whip of the EFF Floyd Shivambu has introduced a private members' s bill in the Standing Committee on Finance to nationalise the South African Reserve Bank .. The bill was originally introduced by the party leader, Julius Malema, in 2018 but lapsed due to the term of the fifth Parliament expiring. But Parliament's legal advisor says the bill could face constitutional challenges. According to a Constitutional court judgement of 2012 private members bills must be treated the same way as a bill introduced by a member of the Executive.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the high number of teachers who were infected with COVID-19 in June did not contract the virus due to the reopening of the schools, but in their communities. Motshekga was responding to the debate on the re-opening of schools brought by IFP MP Lindinkosi Ngcobo during hybrid sitting of the National Assembly. She also says the Department is ready to continue with learning and teaching wile curbing the spread of the Coronavirus.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the high number of teachers who were infected with COVID-19 in June did not contract the virus due to the reopening of the schools, but in their communities. Motshekga was responding to the debate on the re-opening of schools brought by IFP MP Lindinkosi Ngcobo during hybrid sitting of the National Assembly. She also says the Department is ready to continue with learning and teaching wile curbing the spread of the Coronavirus.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is adamant South Africa will have a zero percent alcohol limit for motorists by the end of this year. Mbalula says the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, which will prohibit drivers from consuming any amount alcohol before driving, is now before parliament. The minister said this YESTERDAY evening when he announced the new transport regulations under level 2 of the nationwide lockdown. He expressed his concern over the rise in alcohol-related road incidents following the lifting of the ban on alcohol sales last week.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is adamant South Africa will have a zero percent alcohol limit for motorists by the end of this year. Mbalula says the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, which will prohibit drivers from consuming any amount alcohol before driving, is now before parliament. The minister said this YESTERDAY evening when he announced the new transport regulations under level 2 of the nationwide lockdown. He expressed his concern over the rise in alcohol-related road incidents following the lifting of the ban on alcohol sales last week.