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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa says government looking into State of Disaster to tackle energy crisis; Health authority registers medicine to treat Covid-19; And, Petrol and diesel prices to be hiked this week

Ramaphosa says government looking into State of Disaster to tackle energy crisis

As economically-crippling loadshedding continues unabated across the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that government is going through the motions to establish whether a National State of Disaster could be declared to alleviate power cuts.

Speaking at the African National Congress’s National Executive Committee lekgotla in Johannesburg on Monday, Ramaphosa acknowledged widespread calls for a State of Disaster from various sectors.  

Ramaphosa assured that the response to the energy crisis would be escalated to higher levels of government and that there will be a clearer and singular message from government so as to not create confusion.  

The ANC said the perspective from commissions that ending the energy crisis must be a government-wide and society-wide effort should be welcomed. Ramaphosa said the party has undertaken to play an active role in mobilising all sections of society behind an urgent Energy Action Plan.

Health authority registers medicine to treat Covid-19

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela indicated that as Covid-19 is a looming threat, the authority has registered Paxlovid as a treatment.

Paxlovid an anti-viral medicine manufactured by Pfizer that treats mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and who are at increased risk for progression to severe Covid-19.

Paxlovid is a 5-day tablet treatment with morning and evening doses.

Its side-effects include hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhoea, vomiting, and altered taste.

And, Petrol and diesel prices to be hiked this week

Petrol and diesel prices will be hiked tomorrow, with oil having become more expensive due to stronger Chinese demand.

Unleaded petrol (both 93 and 95) will increase by 28c a litre, while diesel will be hiked by between less than a cent and around 9c a litre.

Paraffin will increase by 58c a litre, and the maximum retail price of LP gas will fall by R1.40 a kilogram. 

The latest price hikes will push Gauteng petrol to R21.68 a litre, from R20.14 a year ago. Petrol peaked at R26.74 in July this year.

Gauteng diesel will climb to as much as R21.32 a litre, from R18.04 in February 2022. Diesel was close to R25.50 in November last year.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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