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

Making headlines: South Africa allocates an extra R4bn to fight Covid-19; Ayanda Dlodlo tests security at vaccination sites; And, Congo to impose military rule in troubled eastern provinces

 

South Africa allocates an extra R4bn to fight Covid-19

South Africa has allocated an extra R4-billion to buy Covid-19 vaccines and extend a special distress grant to thousands of people hit by the pandemic, in a Special Appropriation Bill tabled by the finance minister today.

The bill, expected to be debated with the National Treasury in a parliamentary committee meeting later today, allocates an additional R1.25-billion to the department of health to purchase Covid-19 vaccines and another R2.82-billion to social development for the distress grant of R350 per person.

South Africa has struggled to kickstart a mass vaccination programme, inoculating just over 329 000 health workers with Johnson & Johnson's shot as part of a research study, while it waits for its first batch of commercial doses to become available.

It has ordered 31-million doses of J&J's one-shot vaccine and 30-million doses of Pfizer's two-shot vaccine, enough for a combined 46-million of its 60-million people.

 

Ayanda Dlodlo tests security at vaccination sites

The State Security Agency is auditing the level of security at vaccination sites.

State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo conducted some visits to sites, which included Khayelitsha and Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

Dlodlo is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Covid-19. The visits were part of ensuring the vaccination rollout goes smoothly.

She said she was happy with what she had seen so far with regard to preparations for administering the Pfizer vaccine.

 

And, Congo to impose military rule in troubled eastern provinces

Congo will replace civilian authorities with military administrations in two conflict-hit provinces, for a month.

Government announced the details of a state of siege to address worsening bloodshed in the east.

A surge in attacks by armed militias and intercommunal violence along Congo's border with Uganda have killed hundreds of people since the start of the year.

Under the state of siege, which was declared last Friday, governors and provincial assemblies in North Kivu and Ituri provinces will be suspended for 30 days from Thursday.

In their place, the government will install military governors and police vice-governors with wide-ranging powers.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@Polity ZA]