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

Making headlines: IEC pleased by-elections can go ahead under level 1; Ramaphosa halts hunt for reserve finance chief; And, Zimbabwe’s Vice President resigns

IEC pleased by-elections can go ahead under level 1

The Electoral Commission of South Africa has welcomed the resumption of political activities under Alert Level 1 of the national lockdown and has expressed confidence in managing the upcoming by-elections.

Alert Level 1 allows for the resumption of some political activities including political gatherings of up to 100 people in an indoor venue and 250 people in an outdoor venue.

A total of 45 by-elections across 37 municipalities in all nine provinces are scheduled, affecting 362 431 registered voters.

The IEC expressed its confidence in conducting by-elections, adding it was able to conduct free, fair and safe by-elections in November and December last year during the previous Alert Level 1 phase of restrictions.

Ramaphosa halts hunt for reserve finance chief

President Cyril Ramaphosa sought to identify a backup option in case Finance Minister Tito Mboweni left his post, but abandoned the search because he couldn’t find a suitable alternative, according to four people familiar with the situation.

While some of the nation’s most prominent policymakers and business executives were informally canvassed as potential replacements over the past few months, the two most favored candidates -- Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago and former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas -- didn’t want the job.

Ramaphosa’s first choice has always been to retain Mboweni. Still, the finance chief has frequently expressed reluctance to remain in the post for long both publicly and privately, citing the need for younger politicians to take over. He has also expressed his frustration with the job on Twitter, sparking concern that he was intent on resigning.

And, Zimbabwe’s Vice President resigns

Zimbabwean Vice President Kembo Mohadi resigned on Monday saying this was meant to save the image of the government following local media reports he had engaged in improper conduct.

Mohadi, along with Constantino Chiwenga, was a deputy to President Emmerson Mnangagwa since 2018, but without a political power base, he was not seen as a potential successor to the president.

In a rare move by a public official in Zimbabwe, Mohadi said he had taken the decision to step down "not as a matter of cowardice but as a sign of demonstrating great respect to the office of the President.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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