Thu 23 July 2020:
South Africa is investigating dozens of alleged corruption cases involving theft or misappropriation of funds earmarked to fight the coronavirus pandemic, president Cyril Ramaphosa has said
A special investigating team had been set up to look into “allegations of corruption in areas such as the distribution of food parcels, social relief grants, the procurement of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies,” he said.
“At least 36 cases are currently at various stages of investigation and prosecution,” the president said in a special address to the nation.
In April, the government announced an unprecedented 500-billion-rand ($26.7-billion) economic stimulus and social relief package to cushion the impact of coronavirus. But some of those funds have been stolen, misused or relief food aid has been diverted from households in need.
South African public schools to close as cases rise over 400,000
South African public schools will close for a four-week break, with some exceptions, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation, as confirmed coronavirus cases rose over 400,000.
Ramaphosa said it was important to ensure that schools did not become sites of transmission at a time when the country’s coronavirus cases are rising at one of the fastest rates in the world.
WHO: More than 10,000 African health workers infected
More than 10,000 health workers in 40 African countries have been infected with the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The pandemic is gathering pace in Africa, with some 750,000 cases and more than 15,000 deaths across the continent, according to the WHO.
“The growth we are seeing…is placing an ever greater strain on health services across the continent,” said WHO Africa director Matshidiso Moeti.
-Source Al Jazeera News
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