For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: ANC to oppose Magashule's court challenge, EFF raises concerns about Phase 2 of country's vaccination programme and, Moody’s says South Africa's weak growth could fuel socioeconomic tensions

ANC to oppose Magashule's court challenge

The ruling ANC will oppose a court application by one of its top officials challenging his suspension, the party has said.

Ace Magashule challenged his suspension as secretary general in court last week, the latest twist in a power struggle that has exposed deep fractures in the party that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid.

The ANC said the decision to oppose Magashule's application was agreed at a meeting of its top officials on Monday.

Magashule was temporarily relieved of his duties in charge of the day-to-day running of the ANC early this month in line with tougher rules for members charged with corruption.

EFF raises concerns about Phase 2 of country's vaccination programme

The Economic Freedom Fighters has criticised the health department over the manner in which many elderly people are expected to register for the vaccine, saying this may lead to poor people being excluded from the vaccination process.

Last week Cabinet announced that Phase 2 of the vaccination programme, which includes inoculation for elderly people will run simultaneously with the vaccination of health care workers, which was meant to end on May 14.

The EFF said it was “seriously doubtful” of the impact of Phase 2 in the fight against the Covid-19 and urged Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to kickstart a door-to-door campaign in townships, rural and informal settlements to register pensioners for the vaccine.

Moody’s says South Africa's weak growth could fuel socioeconomic tensions

Ratings firm Moody's said in a research note today that South Africa's low economic growth and rising debt burden could see socioeconomic tension intensify and impede policy reforms.

The note, an extract from the credit firm's annual report published on Monday, said South Africa's credit profile was balanced, with its low level of foreign currency debt and strong core of institutions counting in its favour.

Moody's decided this month against making any decisions on the country's credit ratings, currently two levels deep into subinvestment, at Ba2 with a negative outlook.

The two other major ratings firms, Fitch and S&P, also rate the country deep into junk.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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