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

Making headlines: Johnson & Johnson to produce 220-million vaccine doses for Africa; Winde says a move to Level 2 will undermine Western Cape's economic recovery; And, Ramaphosa gives Magashule and supporters 30 days to go

Johnson & Johnson to produce 220-million vaccine doses for Africa

US multinational corporation Johnson & Johnson has signed a contract to deliver 220-million vaccine doses to Africa, of which South Africa will receive 30-million doses.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said he was pleased that J&J had signed a contract with the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team.

He made the announcement during his oversight visit alongside Deputy President David Mabuza to the Aspen Pharmacare sterile manufacturing facility and Coega Special Economic Zone, at Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.

The visit to the Aspen Pharmacare Covid-19 sterile manufacturing facility focused on progress in vaccine production as part of the partnership between government and the private sector in the national vaccination programme.

Winde says a move to Level 2 will undermine Western Cape's economic recovery

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said a move to Level 2 Covid-19 restrictions over the upcoming Easter period is not supported by provincial statistics and will undermine the province’s economic recovery.

Winde said data and the current status of the province's health platform showed that moving to stricter regulations at this stage would not achieve the balance the province needed to save both lives and livelihoods.

He was worried that Level 2 would be another devastating blow to the province’s tourism and hospitality economy, which is under immense pressure.

Winde added that it must also be taken into consideration that there are currently numerous restrictions in place under Alert Level 1, which need to be properly enforced to ensure compliance with important health protocols.

And, Ramaphosa gives Magashule and supporters 30 days to go

President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear that African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule and his supporters should "not even try" to defy an ANC national executive committee decision giving him 30 days to vacate his office pending the outcome of the criminal charges against him.

Party insiders said Ramaphosa was clear and unambiguous that the party decision will not change an anticipated attempt by Magashule and his ilk to mobilise against the NEC decision.

In his closing statement of the ANC's NEC meeting on Monday, Ramaphosa said the NEC decision would not change and that all those criminally charged will have the next month to step aside or face suspension from the party.

The President said the 30-day period will be used to enable the implementation of the decision in line with the guidelines and this is not for the review of the decision.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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