Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Here are three trending news topics to keep an eye on over the upcoming days.
SAPS reportedly forks out R141.5 million for misconduct
THE COURTS ORDERED the SA Police Service (SAPS) to pay R141.5 million for wrongful police conduct during the first five months of 2021, police minister Bheki Cele reportedly disclosed in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Friday, 18 June 2021.
Adding to this, during this period, out-of-court settlements amounted to a staggering R9.4 million. The health department faced medico-legal claims of approximately R100 million.
It has been reported that the courts adjudicated more than 1000 claims within the first five months of the year.
KZN Traditional Council set to remain closed until abducted interim leader is located
The Qiniselani Manyuswa Traditional Council on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast remains closed while the police continue investigating the abduction of interim leader, Makhosandile Ngcobo.
Ngcobo was kidnapped from his home in Nkulu Ward, KwaNyuswa, shortly before 8 pm. He was taken by five men posing as police officers. The suspects held up the family members and a security guard, and tied them up with cable ties. They stole cellphones, vehicle keys and firearms before fleeing the scene with the victim.
SA to become Africa’s first vaccine manufacturing hub
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working with South Africa to establish the continent’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub. An achievement that President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed as a landmark initiative.
The President believes this will see colossal advancement in the international effort to build vaccine development and manufacturing capacity to put Africa on a path to self-determination. He enthused, “South Africa welcomes the opportunity to host a vaccine technology transfer hub and to build on the capacity and expertise that already exists on the continent to contribute to this effort.”
The technology transfer hub will pave the way for African companies to begin manufacturing mRNA vaccines.
Messenger RNA, or mRNA technology, instructs cells to make a protein that generates an immune response in the body, producing antibodies that protect against disease. The mRNA is a critical ingredient in the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines used by governments worldwide. WHO will work with a South African consortium involving Biovac, which will act as developer, while Afrigen will serve as the manufacturer of mRNA vaccines.
Meanwhile, a network of universities will offer academic support, and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide technical and regional support.
President Ramaphosa believes that the ability to manufacture vaccines, medicine, and other health-related commodities will change the face of Africa. The President said, “This initiative and others will change the narrative of an Africa that is a centre of disease and poor development. We will create a narrative that celebrates our successes in reducing the burden of disease in advancing self-reliance and also advancing sustainable development.”
What are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
RELATED NEWS
