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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is set to begin its National Investigative Hearing into the civil unrest that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July, to find the causes of the unrest, as well as evaluate its impact on human rights.

The hearing will take place between November 15 and December 3 and about R3-million was granted by the National Treasury for the hearings.

The Commission said considering the extent to which human rights were impacted during the unrest, it will, in the exercise of its constitutional and statutory mandate, host the hearing.

The hearing panel will be led by the Chairperson Commissioner André Gaum, Deputy Chairperson Commissioner Chris Nissen and Chief Panelist Commissioner Philile Ntuli.

Gaum said the first two weeks of the hearings would take place in KwaZulu-Natal and the final week in Gauteng.

Reports state that damages emerging from the claims being dealt with by the State insurance company in the wake of the unrest amounted to R25-billion.

Gaum said that it had been suggested that the unrest was orchestrated, that there was a high degree of organisation and instigation and that the authorities ought to have known and adequately prepared to secure the various towns and cities affected.

He said the unrest has deepened unemployment, poverty and rampant socioeconomic inequality in South Africa, adding that it had also exacerbated inequality between certain communities, hunger and food insecurity.

He said the Commission was also concerned with reports that many communities took to the streets to protect their neighbourhoods and businesses, with allegations of excessive use of force, racial profiling, assaults, arson, and killings in some places.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said on Friday that despite concerns that the November 1 local government elections would be a super spreader event, there has not been a spike in infections in any province, so far.

The country’s daily infection rate over the last four weeks has been between 200 and 500.

Phaahla said the country’s 16 396 active cases is still high but lower than during peak periods.

The death rate has also reduced, with 17 deaths reported on Thursday.

“These numbers are again a reminder that the virus is still very active."

"As has been repeated a number of times before, a resurgence of infections introducing a fourth wave is expected as we see in other countries especially in Europe currently. For example, Germany and the Ukraine are going through their fourth wave. Our national team is working with provincial teams to prepare for the fourth wave,” the Minister warned.

Phaahla stressed that the inevitable festive season would be a contributor to the fourth wave, as well as new variants. Therefore, he is urging people to get vaccinated.

The Department of Health’s genomic sequencing teams are monitoring any variants of concern but so far there are none of concern. National health teams are working with provincial teams to prepare for the fourth wave.

Readiness plans are addressing oxygen supply, of which the bulk supplier has finalised contingency plans. Other areas such as bed capacity, equipment, personal protective equipment and consumables are also receiving attention.

COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME

Phaahla said the country’s vaccination programme remained resilient, however, he admitted that it was facing challenges. He pointed out that the programme had the capacity to administer the vaccine to all adults by the end of December.

As of Thursday night more than 23-million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered to over 18-million individuals, constituting 39.75% of the adult population.

Phaahla said the department hoped to reach 40% of the adult population with at least one dose of a vaccine by Monday.

He noted that full vaccination was still a bit low, at more than 13-million individuals, which was 33.2% of the adult population.

He expressed disappointment with the uptake of vaccines by young adults between the ages of 18 and 34, which stands at 24.8%. He attributed the slow uptake to fake news on social media.

More than 200 000 people between the ages of 12 and 17 had been vaccinated by Thursday, with a total of more than 300 000 registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System.

With the fourth wave of Covid-19 infections expected, non-governmental organisation DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison on Thursday said government’s priority should be to vaccinate older people.

Harrison said older people were most likely to be admitted to hospital and most likely to die.

Government recently opened up vaccinations for the 12 to 17 age group.

“If we want to prevent people from being sick and dying, we have to focus on older people first and the logic for that is that both hospital admissions and deaths are concentrated in older age groups. Even if we want to ensure that everyone gets vaccinated, we have to ensure that at the front of the queue are older people,” he said.

Almost 90 000 people have, so far, died in South Africa owing to Covid-19.

Harrison explained that since March last year, over 80% of deaths and close to 60% of admissions were South Africans over 50 years of age.

He said for government to prevent lockdowns and other social and economic disruptions, it needed to prevent as much severe Covid-19 disease and as many deaths, as possible, quickly.

He acknowledged that government was experiencing challenges with the national demand for vaccines, which had faltered.

He said while there was enough vaccine supply in the country, there were places such as in rural and informal settlements, where there was insufficient service delivery of vaccines, adding that it must be addressed.

He explained that the distance people were willing to travel was shaped by the willingness to come forward for vaccination, adding that sites could be moved closer to communities.

“We know that poor and marginalised people are less likely to both have access to the vaccination but also less likely to come forward to the vaccination sites. We have to start thinking about how we are going to address that through incentives or other ways of offsetting some of those user costs,” explained Harrison.

VOOMA VACCINATION WEEKEND

Leading up to the next Vooma Vaccination Weekend, government hopes to achieve a 100% success rate in it bid to vaccinate 500 000 people over three days.

Government will hold another Vooma Vaccination Weekend between November 12 and 14.

In September the first Vooma Vaccination Weekend achieved 75% of its target.

Harrison noted that government’s focus for the second Vooma Vaccination Weekend was to crush the power of the fourth wave by vaccinating five out of five people over the ages of 50 before the end of the year.

Vaccination sites will be open across the country during the weekend, and the goal is to ensure at least 95% capacity on the Saturday.

While fewer sites will open on Sunday, the focus will be on outreach to large faith-congregations willing to be vaccinated on that day, the Department of Health said.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has given the go-ahead for a vote recount in parts of the Western Cape, following complaints from political parties about "missing votes".

The recount is expected to take place on Thursday in certain voting districts.

The Cape Independence Party, Democratic Independent Party (DI) and DA lodged complaints with the IEC in which they questioned the handling of votes during the 1 November municipal elections.

Cape Independence Party leader Jack Miller told News24 he welcomed the IEC's decision to conduct a recount at 12 voting stations.

"We actually identified 36 voting stations where there is a discrepancy. We are concerned that only 12 were approved, but we will be taking this further to get the remaining 24 voting stations recounted," Miller said.

He added that the party would approach the Electoral Court.

"We will be making sure that our supporters' votes are counted," he said.

In response to the Cape Independent Party's complaint, provincial IEC officer Michael Hendrickse said the commission considered the objection in terms of the Municipal Electoral Act.

"The basis of the Cape Independence Party objection is the alleged widespread confusion in correlating the abbreviated name of the Cape Independence Party namely 'CAPEXIT' as appeared on the ballot papers in the metro, with the name Cape Independence Party as was reflected on the results slips," he added.

"They alleged that a number of votes cast in favour of the Cape Independence Party were not allocated to the party as a consequence of such confusion."

Hendrickse added that on the basis of evidence obtained from the investigation, it was resolved that a recount had to be urgently conducted in the presence of party representatives.

The DA's Matthew Kempthorne, a PR councillor and one of the DA representatives on the IEC multi-party liaison committee, also queried the handling of votes.

The DA alleged that a number of votes cast in favour of the DA were not allocated to the DA but were inadvertently allocated to the DI.

Kempthorne said the party picked up inconsistencies at two voting stations.

"Basically, what we think happened in the morning [is that] they wrote the DA's results in the DI column and we are double-checking the results," he added.

The recount could affect seat allocations.

Meanwhile, smaller political parties have been calling for a re-election.

DI President Anwar Peters accused the IEC of being untruthful.

Peters said: "The DA is now asking for a recount and now their objection is being entertained. The IEC is there to do a job but it's not doing it. How do we know where these ballots come from? We can't trust them. This is an injustice and an insult and they are attacking our integrity."

Hendrickse said he welcomed the fact that parties followed the legal route in terms of the Act to raise concerns.

"The commission investigated and decided the best way to determine the specific objections with sufficient particularity, as opposed to generalised claims, was a recount in a very limited number of voting districts."

FW de Klerk, the last president of apartheid South Africa and a key actor in the country's transition to democracy, has died.

The FW de Klerk Foundation's spokesperson Dave Steward confirmed his death on Thursday. "The former president died earlier this morning at his home in Fresnaye after his struggle against cancer. He was 85-years-old. He is survived by his wife Elita, two children Susan and Jan, and his grandchildren."

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce details of De Klerk's state funeral in due course.

In a statement on 8 June 2021, the foundation said he was diagnosed with mesothelioma - "a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs" - in March 2021. He was receiving immunotherapy for the illness.

De Klerk was the head of state from September 1989 until May 1994 and became one of the country's two deputy presidents after the first multi-racial, democratic election in April 1994.

The son of a National Party senator and minister, De Klerk entered Parliament in 1972 after training as a lawyer and winning his seat in Vereeniging, in what was then known as Southern Transvaal. He was appointed to the Cabinet of prime minister John Vorster in 1978 and served in various portfolios, including Minister of National Education. De Klerk was also a member of the Broederbond, the secretive Afrikaner organisation then active in politics and society.

He succeeded PW Botha as the leader of the National Party in February 1989 after Botha suffered a stroke and resigned from the party leadership. He became president seven months later after Botha quit the post in anger and the National Party won a whites-only election with a reduced margin.

On 2 February 1990, exactly one year after taking the reins as National Party leader, De Klerk announced to Parliament that he was unbanning the ANC, SACP, PAC and other liberation movements, and that he was releasing Nelson Mandela unconditionally. This led to a multi-party negotiation process between 1990 and 1994, paving the way for the democratic election.

The 1993 Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to De Klerk and Mandela, who became the country's first democratically elected president the following year.

De Klerk became the first leader of the opposition after the election and led his party from the Government of National Unity in June 1996. He retired from active politics in August 1997.

He testified at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on behalf of the National Party in August 1996 and May 1997, where his apology for apartheid was criticised as insufficient.

After his political career, he launched a foundation in his name, which sought to play a role in civil society as a watchdog and think-tank. He also became involved in a global leadership initiative called The Elders, consisting of former heads of state who advocated for the rule of law and human rights.

Recently, De Klerk became mired in controversy. In 2012, he defended aspects of apartheid during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour and in 2020 he refused to concede that the system was a crime against humanity.

Despite coalition talks hanging in the balance, the African National Congress (ANC) has moved to nominate mayoral candidates across the country, with the party planning on conducting interviews on Saturday.

Regional leaders of the ANC were asked to forward three names to be considered for the mayoral chain in municipalities across the country. The nominees would then face an interview panel of ANC national executive committee (NEC) members.

Party insiders said ANC processes could not be held back because the party did not have clarity on talks related to the 66 hung councils.

The ANC had centralised coalition negotiations, but had failed to make headway as it appeared to be pushed into a corner by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) after the Democratic Alliance (DA), ActionSA and GOOD all rejected talks with the it.

The ANC’s top six, and NEC members Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Phumulo Masualle, will conduct the interviews for the country's metros.

Meanwhile, other NEC members will be sent to the nine provinces to conduct interviews there as part of the ANC’s stated bid to appoint competent leaders after years of failure.

Party insiders said that, even if the ANC failed in coalition talks, they wanted "the best to lead the ANC as opposition".

The ANC's regional leadership in Johannesburg nominated current Mayor Mpho Moerane, Eunice Mgcina and ANC regional secretary Dada Morero to be considered for the top job.

In Tshwane, the ANC nominated Frans Boshielo, Rebecca Morudi and Simphiwe Mbatha.

In Ekurhuleni, current Mayor Mzwandile Masina was nominated alongside ANC Women’s League chairperson Nomadlozi Nkosi and ANC deputy chairperson in the region Jongizizwe Dlabathi.

As part of the interview process, prospective mayors will have to answer questions on governance and oversight; financial management and budgeting; community engagement and citizen responsiveness; service delivery and performance management; and economic development and resource planning.

The ANC has also set different criteria for metro mayors. They will have to demonstrate previous experience in the public or private sector, where they led a team of more than 100 employees.

District and local mayors will need to have led a team of at least 50 people.

The ANC noted that prospective mayors would need to prove a demonstrable record of discipline, with no criminal records or evidence of maladministration.

They must also prove to understand local government issues like water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal.

Eskom boss André de Ruyter is set to open a case of intimidation after receiving threats on social media.

On Wednesday, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha confirmed to News24 that someone from the power utility's security team would be opening a case of intimidation on behalf of De Ruyter following threatening social media posts.

He said, "These are incitements to commit violence and crime. I don't know what time our people went to the police station and which police station, but I will find that out."

Mantshantsha did not say who the case would be opened against. However, in a series of tweets on Tuesday, Economic Freedom Fighters KwaZulu-Natal leader Vusi Khoza called on citizens to find the home addresses of De Ruyter and Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan.

"André de Ruiter [sic], Pravin Gordhan and other @Eskom_SA thugs. Let's get their home addresses and publicize them here now. Let's go to their houses, drag them out and moer them. We are gstvol (gatvol). Let's get physical with these idiots. Now is the time #Azikhale," read one of the tweets.

The tweet has since been removed by Twitter for violating its rules.

This week, De Ruyter was in the hot seat following massive load-shedding across the country, which has led to some calling for his resignation.

In response to this, De Ruyter said: "We serve at the pleasure and discretion of the board. Of course, if the board considers it appropriate for other people and me to resign, then that is their decision to make. We have had no conversations in this regard so far, so I do not intend to resign of my own accord."

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said on Wednesday that fears of receiving a Covid-19 jab could be tied to knowledge gaps and misinformation, assuring citizens that the Regulator will never authorise any vaccine that is not safe.

SAHPRA pharmacovigilance manager Mafora Matlala said it has been highlighted that 80% of vaccinated people think they have a good understanding of how vaccines work.

The study that has been undertaken by a local university showed that vaccine acceptance is higher among people who say they know a lot about Covid-19 vaccines.

While 34% of people were found to be scared of possible side effects and 36% admitted to not understanding how vaccines work and also feared side effects including infertility and blood clots.

Almost 16-million South Africans have been vaccinated to date.

Matlala assured citizens that the Regulator will continue to monitor and inform health professionals and the public of the up-to-date safety profiles of Covid-19 vaccines, highlighting that SAHPRA is tasked with monitoring, evaluating, investigating, inspecting and registering all health products.

She added that it is SAHPRA’s responsibility to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of all medicines, further noting that monitoring the safety of Covid-19 vaccines and communicating any risks is a critical priority for SAHPRA.

She also highlighted that serious adverse events following immunisations (AEFIs) are extremely rare for the Covid-19 vaccines based on currently available evidence.

Most of these AEFIs received are non-serious and mild, such as headache, pain, and redness at the injection site, fever and chills.

National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee Professor Hannelie Meyer said it is impossible to place a microchip inside a person’s body when getting vaccinated, adding that all vaccines components have been shown to be safe.

Meyer emphasised that SAHPRA will never authorise any vaccine that is not safe or if they do not know what the ingredients are.

The national health department, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra), and organisations against administering the Covid-19 vaccine in children are headed to court this week.

Caring Healthcare Workers Coalition (CHC), the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Free the Children - Save the Nation, and the Covid Care Alliance are demanding a halt to vaccinating children against the virus.

They launched an urgent court application in the Pretoria High Court that will be heard on Wednesday.

Currently, Sahpra has approved Pfizer to be used in vaccinating children aged 12 to 17 against Covid-19. Children get only one dose of the vaccine, while adults get two doses. So far, 210 149 children have been vaccinated.

In court papers, ACDP leader the Reverend Kenneth Meshoe states that Covid-19 is a, "... general practitioner's disease and can be successfully handled when early treatments are applied".

He further says vaccinating minors, "... does not accord with the constitutional rights of the children".

The religious political party wants the government to suspend the vaccinations until an appeal they lodged with Sahpra is heard and concluded.

On 8 October, Free the Children launched an appeal after Sahpra announced the approval of emergency use of Pfizer in minors. In their appeal, the organisation says the vaccines are not in the best interest of the children.

The health department confirmed it is defending the case.

Speaking to News24 on Monday, Dr Naseeba Kathrada from the CHC said there was not enough research to indicate that children should be vaccinated. "Weighed against the list of serious adverse effects of the vaccine, including blood clotting, myocarditis, pericarditis, and neurological complications, there is no justification to risk children's health by submitting them to the 'vaccine'. More so since the recovery from Covid, in this age group is more than 99,9% according to the WHO themselves."

She said they was no need to vaccinate anyone under the age of 20.

She said another point of contention was that children could get vaccinated without their parents' consent. "Things must be done ethically. This is just exposing children to side effects."

Kathrada, who earlier this year fought for the right of patients to use ivermectin, said if the department had research to prove that vaccinating children was beneficial, they could have produced it. She said the organisation was also worried that schools might make it mandatory for pupils to be vaccinated.

In his affidavit as part of the case, a US-based medical doctor Peter McCullough states that the vaccines are not safe for use, "... and cannot be deployed indiscriminately or supported, recommended, or mandated to any group".

While the Children's Act states that children aged 12 and older can consent to their own medical treatment, it is recommended that parents discuss the benefits of the vaccine with children and accompany them when they present themselves at vaccination sites, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said recently.

"Vaccination of young people from the age of 12 years is a global phenomenon, [and] the parents should not be too concerned about it," said Phaahla.

Health24 reported children would only receive one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, after international reports suggested a very rare risk of myocarditis after the second jab.

This side effect has mostly been seen in male teens and young adults, and the majority of cases were mild and short-lived.

But scientists are in agreement that the benefits of vaccinating teens far outweigh the risks, as studies have shown Pfizer's jab is safe to use in teens and provides very high levels of protection against developing symptomatic Covid and also against Covid-related hospitalisation, Bhekisisa reported.

The Covid-19 vaccination booster programme is set to kick off on Tuesday among healthcare workers who took part in the original Sisonke study.

The SA Medical Research Council and the health department wants to get the boosters in before the fourth wave of the pandemic, expected to start in December, to protect the healthcare workers.

The department explained that, at the moment, boosters would only be available to healthcare workers who took part in the Sisonke trial.

They will receive an invitation by SMS on the number they used to enrol for the first part of the study, and would be required to give consent online again via a form on the EVDS.

Healthcare workers who wanted the booster and who may have changed their contact number, must call the national hotline on 0800 029 999 to have it updated.

The department stressed that healthcare workers who received an unauthorised dose of Pfizer must not go for the booster offered in the Sisonke trial as there was not enough data yet on the possible effects of mixing vaccines.

The SA Health Products Regulatory Authority said therefore it is available to health care workers who:

- Received a first dose of J&J through the Sisonke study;

- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.

- After completing the consent form have received a new vaccination voucher number starting with the letters BD- (Booster Dose).