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

Making headlines: Health department concerned with rising Covid-19 infections in coastal areas, SABC suspends controversial clause and, DA says Ramaphosa missed an opportunity to 'clean out' his executive

 

Health department concerned with rising Covid-19 infections in coastal areas

Newly appointed Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said while it is encouraging that Covid-19 infections are declining in Gauteng, the department was concerned with rising infections moving into the coastal areas.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s anticipated Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday night saw Phaahla replace Zweli Mkhize as Minister.

Phaahla noted that the Western Cape had become the epicentre of the pandemic, however he expressed confidence with the province’s containment measures to deal with rising hospitalisations and oxygen needs.

He said infections in KwaZulu-Natal were also rising rapidly, while the Eastern Cape was experiencing a low increase.

After much backlash, the South African Broadcasting Corporation has removed a clause from employees' contracts that allows it to intercept, monitor, and read staffers' communication.

 

SABC suspends controversial clause

The public broadcaster announced that following concern over the clause, it decided to remove it with immediate effect.

Among the organisations that criticised the clause was the South African National Editors' Forum, which described it as "extremely concerning" and "illegal".

The corporation said while the clause was standard since 2008, it was not intended to violate the rights of journalists or their sources of information.

 

DA says Ramaphosa missed an opportunity to 'clean out' his executive

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen believes that President Cyril Ramaphosa missed an opportunity to "clean out" his Cabinet when he reshuffled his executive.

Steenhuisen said while it was positive that Zweli Mkhize had resigned as Health Minister, some of the most compromised and worst-performing ministers had managed to hold onto their jobs.

The DA leader called on new Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to demonstrate very quickly that he has the stomach for bold reforms and will not budge from fiscal responsibility.

Steenhuisen said given the recent corruption scandals, Ramaphosa should implement lifestyle audits.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter[@PolityZA]