September 01, 2020.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines:

ANC says officials charged with graft must step aside

SACP and partners plead with govt to urgently fight corruption

And, Covid-19 cases reach 627 041 as death toll hits 14 149

ANC says officials charged with graft must step aside

South Africa's governing party executive has decided at a weekend meeting that party officials formally charged with corruption and other serious crimes must step aside from their posts, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.

The ANC has been buffeted in recent weeks by reports of corruption during the coronavirus crisis, with state investigators probing irregularities in government tenders worth R5-billion.

In a statement read out on Monday by Ramaphosa, the governing party ordered members who are formally charged with corruption to "immediately step aside from all leadership positions in the ANC, in legislatures and other government structures pending the finalisation of their cases".

SACP and partners plead with govt to urgently fight corruption

The South African Communist Party, alongside various organisations, have asked government and Parliament to take urgent measures to enhance oversight mechanisms against corrupt individuals who are looting the State.

A joint declaration was signed, in which the organisations urged government to prevent further wasteful expenditure, stop the looting of State resources and speedily prosecute those implicated in corrupt activities.

Furthermore, they are calling for regular lifestyle audits at all levels of government, specifically focussing on accounting authorities, officials involved in tender or procurement processes and leaders.

Covid-19 cases reach 627 041 as death toll hits 14 149

An increase of 1 985 new Covid-19 cases has been recorded, bringing the total to 627 041.

The total number of Covid-19 deaths stands at 14 149 with an increase of 121.

The recovery stands at 86% with 540 923 total recoveries.

3 693 721 Covid-19 tests have been conducted, with 18 849 news tests.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter[@PolityZA]