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

Making headlines: DA heads to ConCourt to nullify IEC decision to reopen candidate registration, J&J may follow ImmunityBio’s South African Covid booster shot trial and, Guinean political prisoners freed, regional bloc to discuss coup

DA heads to ConCourt to nullify IEC decision to reopen candidate registration

The DA has urgently applied to the Constitutional Court to nullify the Electoral Commission of South Africa's decision to reopen the registration process for ward councillor candidates in next month's local government elections.

According to court papers, the DA also wanted the decision to be declared unconstitutional and invalid, and set aside.

It also wanted any party wishing to oppose their application to file a notice by today.

The IEC’s decision allows the ANC to complete and register the outstanding candidates in 93 municipalities across the country.

J&J may follow ImmunityBio’s South African Covid booster shot trial

Talks are underway with Johnson & Johnson about running a booster trial in South Africa after the company’s Covid-19 vaccine was used in a mass trial of almost half a million health workers in the country.

Co-lead of the Sisonke study Glenda Gray says the trial would include participants from Sisonke, and could possibly start in October.

It would add to a booster study in the country using ImmunityBio’s shot that has already started.
Gray said talks are underway between J&J and the department of health about the feasibility of a boost.

Guinean political prisoners freed, regional bloc to discuss coup

Guinea's military leaders have freed scores of political prisoners before a meeting of West African leaders to discuss their response to Sunday's coup that ousted President Alpha Conde.

At least 80 political prisoners detained by Conde were released on Tuesday evening.

Some had campaigned against his attempt to stay in power for a third term after altering the constitution to permit it, a move opponents said was illegal.

Coup leader Mamady Doumbouya has pledged to install a unified, transitional government but has not said when or how that will happen.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@Polity ZA]