For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Acting Health Minister concerned with rising infections in Western Cape & KZN; Ramaphosa sees big green economy opportunity in ‘bold’ climate commitment; And, Steenhuisen requests meeting about intelligence report on recent unrest

 

Acting Health Minister concerned with rising infections in Western Cape & KZN

South Africa’s acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said that despite Wednesday’s spike in new Covid-19 infections, the number of new cases has been on a downward trend, however, she did raise concern at the rise in new infections in the Western Cape.

On Wednesday, the country recorded more than 17 000 cases.

In the last 24 hours the country recorded 13 750 new Covid-19 cases, of which the Western Cape accounts for 29% followed by Gauteng with 27%.

The Western Cape has now surpassed Gauteng in the number of new cases in the last 24 hours. Gauteng has been the epicentre of the third wave in the country.

On Monday the country hit 70 000 in Covid-19 deaths. Kubayi warned that for as long as the number of infections continue to rise, the death toll will continue to increase.

 

Ramaphosa sees big green economy opportunity in ‘bold’ climate commitment

President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is time for South Africa to “grasp the nettle” and embark on a “transformative path” towards a climate-resilient society both to fulfil its moral obligations in the face of an intensifying crisis, but also to seize the economic and job opportunities that are arising around the transition.

Speaking during the third formal meeting of the Presidential Climate Commission, Ramaphosa said that, given the primacy of the climate crisis on the international agenda, South Africa could no longer be debating whether or not it should transition to a low-emissions society.

Although there were lingering questions about whether developed countries would honour their pledges to mobilise $100-billion a year in climate finance to support climate investment in developing countries, Ramaphosa said there were growing indications that funding would indeed be forthcoming.

 

And, Steenhuisen requests meeting about intelligence report on recent unrest

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has requested a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphsa, leaders of opposition parties, State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo and Police Minister Bheki Cele regarding the intelligence report on the recent unrest that engulfed KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

He said the meeting will offer Dlodlo the opportunity to set out the timeline of events leading up to the violence and looting, as well as the details of the reports and briefings that were given to NATJOINTS.

Steenhuisen added that it will also offer Cele the opportunity to explain how much information he was privy to, and why it took Crime Intelligence and the South African Police Service so long to react.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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