Tag Archives: south africa

South Africa’s health products regulator, Sahpra, has withheld approval for Russia’s Sputnik V Covid vaccine over concerns that it could increase the risk of HIV infection among men. The decision was based on two earlier studies that tested the safety of a modified form of adenovirus contained in the Russian …

South African and US law enforcement agencies have arrested at least six members of the Nigerian Black Axe mafia syndicate in Cape Town, TimesLive news website reports. Six members of the mafia group, believed to be behind hundreds of thousands of “romance scams”, were reportedly arrested in a raid in …

A special unit of the South African army rescued two ministers and a deputy, after they were taken hostage by war veterans demanding reparations for their role in the fight against the apartheid government. The Liberation Struggle War Veterans, from the disbanded ANC military wing, are demanding a one-off payment …

Police in the South African city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, are investigating the setting alight of three shops run by foreign nationals on Wednesday night, the local Herald Live news site reports. This comes amid heightened tension in the area after eight taxis and two cars were …

Marijuana worth 12,000 rand ($600), has been uncovered during a dawn raid at a prison in Empangeni city in South Africa’s Kwa-Zulu Natal province, state broadcaster SABC reports. The acting National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale led the raid at the Qalakabusha correctional centre. The prison has seen several …

A German tourist and a crew member have died after a luxury houseboat caught fire on a dam in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, local media report. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said it was investigating the cause of the blaze, the BBC reports. The boat was reportedly on …

The South African ruling party African National Congress (ANC) has accused the largest opposition party of inflaming racial tension with its choice of election posters in an area where more than 30 people were killed during unrest in July. Earlier this week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) put up posters around …

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), one of the largest unions in the country, has announced the start of an indefinite strike. The strike will affect some mining, construction, engineering and automotive companies whose employees are members. NUMSA calls for an 8% salary increase and a subsequent …

Senior officials in the South African government have been implicated in a corruption allegation over the awarding of a multi-million-dollar coronavirus contract. Former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who resigned last month, denied knowing his close friends were involved in a company called Digital Vibes. The business was employed to educate …

The South African former President Jacob Zuma is back home after he was discharged from hospital, local media report, where he is expected to serve the rest of his jail term for contempt of court. He spent his first night at his Nkandla home in KwaZulu-Natal after his release from …