Ramphosa Allies Call for HealthMin Mkhize to Step Aside, Replacements Being Considered

LOCAL NEWS

• Ramaphosa allies call for HealthMin Mkhize to take special leave in yesterday's NWC meeting and for Ramaphosa to urgently deal with the scandal.
  • Some, however, shot this down saying as a top ANC member the issue can only be dealt with by the Top six.
  • Rumours suggest Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Romokgopa or Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma are possibilities to replace Mkhize.
  • The latter would likely be viewed as negative as Dlamini-Zuma has a poor reputation domestically
• WHO says SA should not be deterred by US pause of J&J vaccine rollout. SA has ordered 31m J&J doses, with 1m ready to be released while another 3m were due to be delivered in June.
  • SA regulator says it is waiting for FDA approval before clearing the vaccine
• Public Protector Mkhwebane's legal council says a letter from House speaker Modise is a "confession" and will vindicate Mkhwebane's bid to quash rules for impeaching a Chapter 9 official.
  • Advocate Mpofu called on the High Court to set aside the rules for PP Mkhwebane's impeachment