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

Making headlines: Peak infections in Africa still to come says Ramaphosa, Zille's virtual congress plans to be opposed and, Lesotho becomes last country in the region to record Covid-19 case

 

Peak infections in Africa still to come says Ramaphosa

African Union chairperson and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that while the number of coronavirus  infections in Africa is lower than elsewhere in the world, the continent should expect that the peak is still to come.

He also said that while the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have supported a debt standstill of nine months, the African Union believes that, given the extent of the anticipated damage, the continent will need a debt standstill for two years.

Ramaphosa hosted a virtual meeting with the Heads of State and Government of countries neighbouring South Africa on responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Zille's virtual congress plans to be opposed

Democratic Alliance federal council chair Helen Zille's ambitions of having a virtual elective conference could be dashed, as some party leaders prepare to oppose the plan when it is tabled to the party's federal executive.  

Zille and DA interim leader John Steenhuisen have started consulting tech experts on the feasibility of the idea.

Some leaders say a virtual conference would place Steenhuisen's contenders at a disadvantage.

 

Lesotho becomes last country in the region to record Covid-19 case

Lesotho has recorded its first case of Covid-19, the health ministry said, becoming the last country in southern and East Africa to be afflicted by the virus.

The ministry said it had conducted 81 tests for Covid-19 from travellers from South Africa and Saudi Arabia, of which one was positive.

The  country had previously been spared the coronavirus, although its bigger, more industrialised neighbour has recorded more than 10 000 cases.

The disease has struck at a time of political uncertainty in Lesotho, with embattled Prime Minister Thomas Thabane due to step down by the end of next week after his coalition collapsed in parliament.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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