AFRICA

SA records 3 635 COVID-19 cases, 65 deaths

South Africa has 3 635 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced on Wednesday. This is an increase of 170 cases from the previous night. In a statement, Mkhize confirmed that seven more COVID-19 related deaths had been recorded, bringing the total number to 65. Five of the deaths …

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South Africa to deploy 70,000 more troops to enforce lockdown

More than 70,000 extra troops will be deployed in South Africa to help enforce a lockdown intended to stop the spread of conronavirus, national broadcaster SABC says. Opposition leader John Steenhusien has tweeted a letter that President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote to parliament saying that he had decided to deploy an …

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SA minister pleads guilty to breaking lockdown

South Africa’s Communication Minister Stella Ndabeni has admitted to failing to follow the lockdown rules and has paid a 1,000 rand ($53;£42) fine as ordered by the senior magistrate in the Tshwane district court. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Phindi Mjonondwane said the minister’s court case proves that all citizens are …

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120 recoveries as Ghana’s coronavirus cases rise to 1154

Ghana’s coronavirus case count has increased to 1,154 with 120 recoveries, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS). This was disclosed by the Director-General at the GHS, Dr. Patrick Aboagye at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, April 22. The development means that 112 new cases and 21 recoveries …

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72-hour plan to nab cop killers

Police in Gauteng have launched the 72-hour Activation Plan to find the suspects behind the killing of a Sebokeng-based Detective Sergeant. National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, has assigned the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner to immediately mobilise the 72-hour plan. According to a police report, at about 7:10pm, the police official …

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Maamobi hospital staff fight supervisor for selling PPE to them

Medical staff at the Maamobi General Hospital are angry at their supervisor for selling Personal Protective Equipment to them. Health workers at the facility can only access the PPE after paying 5 cedis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility has recorded COVID-19 cases with some health workers …

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One COVID-19 patient on ventilator – Akufo Addo

The health condition of one coronavirus patient on admission in Ghana has deteriorated with the patient put on a ventilator, President Akufo Addo has disclosed. Out of the official figure of 1042 positive cases, nine persons have died. Addressing the leadership of churches at the seat of government, Jubilee House, …

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South Africa coronavirus lockdown: Is the alcohol ban working?

The ban on the sale and transportation of alcohol during the coronavirus lockdown in South Africa has emptied hospital beds, ruined businesses, provoked violence and political disputes, and has led to a surge of interest in pineapples, writes the BBC’s Andrew Harding from Johannesburg. The idea was simple. Ban all …

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No more money for SAA, government tells unions

South African Airways can no longer depend on financial support from government, the Pravin Gordhan-led Department of Public Enterprises said on Tuesday evening. During a meeting with unions representing workers at the troubled airline, the state was not in a position to provide more capital and that all parties need …

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Man electrocuted while trying to fix faulty transformer fuse

A man identified as Yakubu Alhassan, was electrocuted in Anagada community, a surburb in  Abuja while trying to fix a faulty fuse in a transformer. The residents said the deceased popularly known as Yakubu NEPA was a staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) but the company’s Public Relations …

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Police officers arrested for buying alcohol during lockdown

The ban on alcohol has been giving South Africans chest pains, and it appears even the police officers are trying to get their hands on some booze. In an official statement released on Monday, April 20, the SAPS confirmed that five police officers working at the Namahadi Police Station in …

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Nigeria apologises for ‘mistakes’ at president’s aide burial

The Nigerian government has apologised for “mistakes” made during the burial of President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, who died from coronavirus. This is after people were pictured in huddles around the grave site on 18 April, not observing strict rules on mass gatherings, social distancing or personal …

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Mali counts votes held amid coronavirus pandemic

Vote counting began on Monday in Mali as polling stations closed in the final round of legislative elections held on Sunday April 19. The vote was held amid the coronavirus pandemic with the aim to revive confidence in the country’s embattled governance institutions despite a bloody terrorist conflict. Sunday’s vote …

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Ramaphosa to address the nation on COVID-19 relief measures

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Tuesday to announce additional economic and social relief measures that form part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The President’s address will communicate resolutions made from recent deliberations at Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council, the President’s Coordinating Council and the National Economic …

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SA COVID-19 cases rise to 3 300, four new deaths

South Africa on Monday confirmed four new COVID-19 deaths, leading to a total of 58 people who have succumbed to the virus to date. According to a statement released by the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the country now has 3 300 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 121 510 tests …

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68-year-old Nigerian woman gives birth to twins

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital has announced the successful delivery of twins by a 68-year old woman. The chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Council, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo, made the announcement in a statement on Sunday. It said the woman gave birth through an “elective cesarean section at 37 …

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Buhari condemns attacks in home state

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned a series of weekend attacks by gunmen in his home state of Katsina in the north-west, which left at least 47 people dead. Armed bandits riding dozens of motorbikes attacked areas of Safana, Dutsinma and Danmusa – shooting people dead and burning down homes …

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Libya: One soldier killed in attack by Haftar militia

One soldier was killed and two others were wounded on Sunday in a missile attack carried out by forces loyal to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar. Amin al-Hashemi, a spokesman for the Health Ministry of Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), told Anadolu Agency that Haftar’s forces launched the attack …

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President Ramaphosa bemoans alleged food parcel theft

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday expressed concern at the alleged theft of food parcels meant to assist distressed families and individuals during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. “A number of provinces have received reports that callous individuals, some of them allegedly government officials, are hoarding or selling food parcels earmarked for …

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