Health Min Mkhize "Relatively Pleased" With Phase 2 Rollout

LOCAL NEWS

• Health Min Mkhize says first day of phase 2 Covid-19 vaccine rollout went relatively well, barring challenges presented by nationwide load shedding, and violent protests in the Free State.
  • Noted 'a large number' of vaccinations, but figures were still being consolidated.
  • Health dept has given a 24 hour window for the numbers to be properly tallied before releasing the figures.
  • A dashboard will be launched for the tracking of vaccination numbers in real time
• Government has blinked first in wage negotiations with unions, offering a once-off 1.5% wage increase & R978 cash bonus after months of remaining resolute on promises for 0% in line with fiscal consolidation goals (trim wage bill by R300bn over 3yrs).
  • This was rejected by unions which have remained firm on their CPI +4% demands (8.3%). Govt says there is sufficient cash for the offer it tabled, but no more - negotiations are still ongoing
• Eskom suspends load shedding today, after some units returned to power. Warned, however, that load-shedding will resume from 1700-2200 tonight, as the grid remains under severe pressure.
  • Outlook remains unpredictable for the rest of the week - Eskom Twitter