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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa's economic recovery plan gets the green light from business, labour, Corruption still rife at all stages of asylum process in South Africa and, Magufuli justifies lack of lockdown in Tanzania

 

Ramaphosa's economic recovery plan gets the green light from business, labour

The National Economic Development and Labour Council has agreed to an economic recovery plan for South Africa.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency on Tuesday, following a meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nedlac - a body comprised of representatives of government, business, labour and community - the details of the plan will be announced once it is finalised by Cabinet.

The country's economy is set to contract anywhere between 7% and 13% this year due to the damaging impact of the lockdown that was instituted to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Most recent data from Stats South Africa showed that the economy contracted by 51% quarter on quarter on an annualised basis as a result of the lockdown, which saw economic activity grind to a halt for five weeks.

 

Corruption still rife at all stages of asylum process in South Africa

From crossing the border to applying for refugee status in South Africa, foreign nationals seeking asylum are often met with corruption at every point of the process.

This is according to a Lawyers for Human Rights report titled ‘Costly Protection: Corruption in South Africa's Asylum System’.

The report, which entailed interviews with 263 asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants between August and December 2019, contained a finding that corruption started at the border.

While a person entering South Africa through an official port of entry with the intention to seek asylum should be given a five-day asylum transit permit, 10% of the respondents reported that they were asked for money by an official to cross the border.

 

Magufuli justifies lack of lockdown in Tanzania

Tanzania’s President reiterates his ‘divine’ sentiments on Covid-19 and justifies why the country did not and will not go into lockdown.

Yesterday, John Magufuli was on the campaign trail for the country’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, in Chato Geita, situated on the banks of Lake Victoria and close to the Rwanda and Burundi border.

Magufuli called the Covid-19 pandemic “satanic” and said he had not instituted a lockdown as this would harm people’s livelihoods.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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