For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa gives green light for SIU to probe firm allegedly linked to ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe; South Africa records 1 250 new Covid-19 cases and new 48 deaths; And, Southern African leaders postpone meeting on Mozambique insurgency

Ramaphosa gives green light for SIU to probe firm allegedly linked to ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe

The Special Investigating Unit is probing a company linked to African National Congress spokesperson Pule Mabe, over an allegedly unlawful tender received in 2017.

President Cyril Ramaphosa gave the SIU the green light to investigate the R27-million tender, which was allegedly awarded illegally to Enviro Mobi by the Gauteng agriculture and rural development department and the Ekurhuleni municipality.

The investigation will probe procurement made in March 2017 for the supply of 200 portable, three-wheel motorised waste collection vehicles.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Ekurhuleni appointed Enviro Mobi in 2018 to supply a further 70 three-wheel vehicles at a contract price of R7.8-million.

South Africa records 1 250 new Covid-19 cases and new 48 deaths

South Africa recorded 1 250 new Covid-19 infections by Wednesday and 48 new Covid-19-related deaths, taking the official death toll to 54 285.

The country recorded a total of 1 578 450 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The total number of healthcare workers vaccinated under the Sisonke Protocol is 298 153 after the vaccination programme resumed on Wednesday.

And, Southern African leaders postpone meeting on Mozambique insurgency

A Southern African leaders meeting that was scheduled for today, to address the Islamic State-linked insurgency in Mozambique, has been postponed.

The meeting was put off due to the unavailability of the Botswana and South African presidents.

The meeting was to receive a report from a team sent to Mozambique to assess the security situation and identify ways to support the country after insurgents attacked the coastal town of Palma, displacing tens of thousands of people and stalling a $60-billion natural gas project.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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