For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.
Making headlines: S Africa signs deal for 20-million Pfizer Covid-19 doses, former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli loses bid to have judge recuse himself and, Tanzania's new president prioritises Covid-19
S Africa signs deal for 20-million Pfizer Covid-19 doses
South Africa has signed an agreement with Pfizer Inc for 20-million dual shot Covid-19 vaccine doses, a government official told Reuters on Tuesday, boosting plans to start mass vaccinations from April.
The deal is another fillip for the country worst hit by Covid-19 infections in Africa as it adds to the 31-million single-shot doses from Johnson & Johnson which the government approved on Thursday.
The first batch from Pfizer is expected to arrive later in April, Anban Pillay, Deputy Director-general at the Department of Health, told Reuters, but he did not comment on the price.
Former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli loses bid to have judge recuse himself
Former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli has lost a bid to have a Gauteng High Court judge recuse himself.
In his recusal application, which was heard on Tuesday morning, Mdluli accused Judge Bert Bam of bias.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate Sindisiwe Twala said Mdluli also accused the judge of not applying his mind when issuing a warrant of arrest.
Mdluli's legal team had previously said he intends to apply for funding from the State because the crime he faces pertains to when the State still employed him.
Tanzania's new president prioritises Covid-19
Tanzania’s new president Samia Suluhu Hassan said that her government would form a committee for scientific research into Covid-19, in a departure from the pandemic-sceptic policies of her predecessor John Magufuli who died last month.
Magufuli, who Hassan said died of heart disease at 61, had dismissed the threat from the coronavirus pandemic, saying God and steam remedies would protect Tanzanians.
He opposed mask-wearing and social distancing and denounced vaccines as part of a Western conspiracy to take Africa’s wealth.
As a result Tanzania has not reported coronavirus data since May last year.
That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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