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

Making headlines: South Africa extends drought state of disaster by a month, Mkhize raises concerns about spike in Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape and, EFF to lead National Day of Action in solidarity with African Americans

 

South Africa extends drought state of disaster by a month

South Africa has extended the national state of disaster it declared for a drought that’s been going on for more than seven years in some parts of the country.

The state of disaster that was initially announced for three months on March 4 has been extended to July 4, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a notice in the Government Gazette.

The government also declared a national state of disaster for the coronavirus pandemic in March.

 

Mkhize raises concerns about spike in Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape

While Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has raised concerns about the rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape, its largest casualty unit with a dedicated isolation site, Livingstone Hospital, is struggling.

The provincial health department confirmed the unit had been hit by a shortage of sterile gloves, gowns and employees, including doctors, nurses and porters.

Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said its Accident and Emergency Unit had not been cleaned and it had no sterile gloves and gowns as of Wednesday afternoon.

However, Kupelo denied reports the casualty unit was shut down on Wednesday after doctors complained about its filthy state.

 

EFF to lead National Day of Action in solidarity with African Americans

The Economic Freedom Fighters will on Monday lead a National Day of Action protest in solidarity with African Americans who were protesting against the violent killings of black people by police in the US.

The protest will take place at 09:00 for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in front of the American Embassy, in Pretoria led by EFF president Julius Malema, at the US Consulate General.

A wave of protests were triggered in the US and worldwide following the death of African American man George Floyd at the hands of US police.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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