Daily Podcast – March 13, 2023

13th March 2023 By: Thabi Shomolekae - Creamer Media Senior Writer

Daily Podcast – March 13, 2023

Former Tshwane Mayor Murunwa Makwarela

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: SANDF nurses deployed to help as deaths climb in ongoing Nehawu strike; Cope's Gauteng leaders to lay charges against ex-Tshwane mayor Makwarela for faking certificate; And, UCT appoints Daya Reddy as interim vice-chancellor for six months

 

SANDF nurses deployed to help as deaths climb in ongoing Nehawu strike

Twenty South African National Defence Force nurses have been deployed to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus amid a National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union wage strike.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla told the media this morning that the nurses were deployed due to shortages caused by the industrial action and not due to Nehawu's threat to intensify the strike.

According to Phaahla, the Military Health Service officials were relocated from the Klerksdorp Tshepong Complex Hospital to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital.

He said the deployment was a priority at that hospital but added that the health department was also looking for assistance at two facilities in the Vaal.

Phaahla revealed last week that there were four deaths as a direct result of the strike.

On Monday morning, he said more people had died.

 

Cope's Gauteng leaders to lay charges against ex-Tshwane mayor Makwarela for faking certificate

The Congress of the People Gauteng leadership says it will be recommending to its national leadership that it be allowed to lay criminal charges of fraud against disgraced former Tshwane mayor Murunwa Makwarela after he submitted a fake rehabilitation certificate.

The party will also subject Makwarela to a disciplinary process as he has not resigned from the party.

The provincial leadership also said that Makwarela faces accusations of sexual assault that he shared with the party leading up to the local government elections in 2021.

The Gauteng provincial leadership has also accused Cope national leaders of protecting Makwarela despite knowing of his insolvency and his outstanding sexual assault accusations.

 

And, UCT appoints Daya Reddy as interim vice-chancellor for six months

The University of Cape Town has announced the appointment of Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy as its interim vice-chancellor.

The decision was made at a special council meeting last week following consultation with the senate and after seeking the advice of the Institutional Forum.

UCT council chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama said Reddy would officially assume duty on Tuesday and hold the position until a new vice-chancellor was appointed.

Reddy's appointment comes after beleaguered former vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng was placed on special leave mere days after an agreement was reached for her to leave her position.

 

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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