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

Making headlines: Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine not approved; Ramaphosa says Employment stimulus programme to provide almost R1bn in youth funding; And, DA to picket during Magashule's court appearance

 

Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine not approved

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority said it would not approve Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine at this time, after consideration its Section 21 application.

The regulator had been engaged in rolling review of the data for the Sputnik V vaccine since the initial application was submitted on February 23.

SAHPRA is concerned that use of the Sputnik V vaccine in South Africa, a setting of a high HIV prevalence and incidence, and may increase the risk of vaccinated males acquiring HIV.

SAHPRA added that the Sputnik V vaccine has not received Emergency Use Listing by the World Health Organization.

 

Ramaphosa says Employment stimulus programme to provide almost R1bn in youth funding

South Africa cannot afford endless delays in addressing unemployment, said President Cyril Ramaphosa as he sought to assure citizens that phase two of the Presidential Employment Stimulus will bring the country closer to meeting its collective goal of decent work and opportunity for all.

Last week, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele announced that Treasury would allocate R11-billion to the second phase of the Presidential Employment Stimulus.

Almost R1-billion of that will go towards funding the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention.

Ramaphosa said as part of the intervention, several young people would be recruited into a revitalised National Youth Service and would receive training in digital skills, while youth-owned enterprises would receive support to expand and employ.

 

And, DA to picket during Magashule's court appearance

The Democratic Alliance will picket outside the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein tomorrow when former Free State Premier Ace Magashule appears in court for his corruption case relating to a R255-million asbestos tender.

Magashule and his 15 co-accused – which include former Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli, businessman Edwin Sodi and former human settlements department head Nthimotse Mokhesi – face 74 charges of fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering.

The trial began on August 11.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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