First Take SA

The screening of travellers for the Coronavirus has been intensified at the Groblersbrug border post between Botswana and South Africa. One person who works at the border was taken to hospital and isolated after displaying symptoms associated with flu. The national Department of Health has reiterated that there are no cases of the Corona Virus in South Africa.

Former President Jacob Zuma's legal team and his family are dismayed by the Pietermaritzburg high court's decision to issue a warrant for his arrest. This is after Zuma failed to appear in court. However the warrant will only be effected if he does not show up for the next appearance in May. The judge was not satisfied with the content and the authenticity of the medical note handed in by Zuma's advocate - Daniel Mantsha.

The Limpopo Health Department says there is no confirmation that a patient who has been put in isolation at the Ellisras Hospital in Lephalale, with a high fever and flu-like symptoms, has contracted the corona virus. However, the department has opened a facility at the Polowkane Hospital for any possible coronavirus cases in the province.

Every day a South African is arrested in Brazil for drug trafficking while one-hundred men have been arrested for the same offence since 2017 in Mauritius. They were travelling via O.R. Tambo International Airport. Anti-drug activists revealed the statistics in Braamfontein during a panel discussion on drug trafficking in Johannesburg. They warn that the number could be higher as drug mules use corrupt officials to smuggle drugs illegally. Meanwhile, close to 50 South Africans are also languishing in Hong Kong prisons for drug smuggling.

The fraud and corruption case against former president Jacob Zuma and his co-accused the French arms manufacturer, Thales, is back in the Pietermaritzburg high court today (Tuesday). But his office has confirmed to the SABC that Zuma will not attend the court as he is not well. The two lost their bid to appeal to a judgement for a permanent stay of prosecution last year. Their application for leave to appeal was also dismissed by the court. Zuma and Thales are facing multiple charges including corruption, money laundering and racketeering. These charges relates to 780 questionable payments in connection with the controversial arms deal in the 1990's

Today marks the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day - a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control, aimed at supporting the cancer community and ensuring that cancer continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda. This as 8.2 million people die from cancer world wide each year, out of which 4 million are considered premature deaths with ages 30 to 69 years.

Some air travellers arriving at the O. R Tambo International airport say the screening for the Corona virus is not an inconvenience but a necessary health precaution. Officials from the national health department and the SANDF health personnel have started screening international air passengers arriving at the airport for the deadly virus. Over 300 people are now known to have died from the virus in China. About a 100 cases have been identified outside China including in the UK, US, Russia, Botswana and Namibia.

Embattled Tshwane Mayor Steven Mokgalapa yesterday announced his intention to resign from his position at the end of this month. He maintains that he did nothing wrong but said it was best for the city if he stood down. He has been on special leave and was expected back at work today. Mokgalapa has been facing votes of no confidence in the Tshwane Council. He has accused the ANC and EFF of launching a concerted effort to oust his administration in order to gain access to the city's coffers.

One of Enoch Mpianzi's siblings has described the late teenager as a shy, but very intelligent boy. Shadrack was speaking at his brother's memorial service at Parktown Boys' High School, north of Johannesburg this afternoon (tuesday 28 January). The former Brixton Primary learner drowned during his new school's Grade 8 orientation camp near Brits in the North West. He was 13-years-old. Learners and teachers from both schools attended the service to bid him farewell

Interim DA leader, John Steenhuisen, says the ANC governed Mogalakwena Municipality in Mokopane, Limpopo, is being run like a mafia state. Steenhuisen was on a fact finding mission in the troubled municipality. The Mogalakwena municipality has been dogged by political infighting, corruption allegations, political killings and violent service delivery protests. Steenhuisen says he'll call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to send a task team to the municipality.