For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.
Making headlines: Ramaphosa to consult with political party leaders, eThekwini Mayor cites R20bn GDP loss, calls for unrest to stop and, Mandla Mandela says it’s shameful to witness looting in Mandela Month
 

Ramaphosa to consult with political party leaders

As looting and violence continues in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to consult with leaders of political parties today, to develop a response to the events unfolding in the country.

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa chaired the National Security Council to unpack developments and intelligence information.
He also met with religious leaders who are urging him to consider permitting worship groups in an attempt to restore calm and counsel those affected by the destructive events.

While law enforcement and security personnel patrol hotspot areas, they have also been asked to protect Covid-19 vaccine storage and vaccination sites, including schools and clinics.

 

eThekwini Mayor cites R20bn GDP loss, calls for unrest to stop

eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has revealed that the loss of gross domestic product in the region could be over R20-billion if the protests taking place across KwaZulu-Natal do not end immediately.

Protests against the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma turned violent over the weekend, with looting and violence continuing to plague parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The preliminary analysis estimates that there has been R1-billion in loss of stock and R15-billion in damage to property and equipment.

At least 40 000 business have been impacted and 129 000 jobs are at risk, with the Mayor warning that a large portion of that may already be lost.

He stressed that medical and health personnel must be allowed to travel and go to work, as well as municipal staff, warning that the provision of services would be affected if these personnel were not allowed to return to work.

 

Mandla Mandela says it’s shameful to witness looting in Mandela Month

Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, has commended South Africans for protecting businesses in their areas, but added that it was shameful that the current looting was taking place in Mandela Month.
Mandela said it was inspiring to see traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape speaking out and denouncing the violence.

He pointed out that non-visibility of the South African Police Service in hot spots was disheartening, noting that police have been letting looters go free in full view of television news cameras.

He said communities need to send a clear message to government and to the Minister of Police Bheki Cele that this will not be tolerated.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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