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

Making headline: Nehawu says government wants to review public sector wage deal; Algeria reports its first coronavirus case; And, Pretoria Chief Magistrate provisionally suspended over Bosasa claims

Nehawu says government wants to review public sector wage deal

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union has said government wanted to review a three-year wage deal with public sector workers struck in 2018, calling the move "a declaration of war".

Nehawu said that if Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announces a freezing of public sector wages during a budget speech later today, the union will "mobilise all its members and workers to shut down government indefinitely and render the system ungovernable.

Nehawu is one of the largest members of the Congress of South African Trade Union federation that is in an alliance with the governing African National Congress party.

Algeria reports its first coronavirus case

The first case of coronavirus or Covid-19 has been reported in Algeria, after an Italian adult who arrived in the country on February 17 tested positive for the disease.

The United Nations health agency's regional director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti said that this was the first case in the World Health Organisation African region

Moeti added that the window of opportunity the continent has had to prepare for coronavirus disease was closing, urging all countries to ramp up its preparedness activities.

And, Pretoria Chief Magistrate provisionally suspended over Bosasa claims

Pretoria Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair has been provisionally suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation into his fitness to hold office.

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola tabled a report in Parliament regarding the provisional suspension in terms of the Magistrates Act, which says Parliament must pass a resolution to confirm the provisional suspension.

Nair's suspension comes after he was charged with two counts of misconduct in November, last year, after the justice ministry carried out a preliminary investigation.

The charges relate to allegations that Nair had asked for, accepted or received special favour or benefits from Bosasa.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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