VACCINE ROLLOUT ON THE ROCKS - Real News. Scrolla.Africa - Scrolla Africa

Wednesday14 April
                                              2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

VACCINE ROLLOUT ON THE ROCKS
Arthur Greene

South Africa's Covid vaccine programme is on the rocks after
the government stopped the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine
because of worldwide fears it could lead to blood clots in a very
small proportion of patients.

The US’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called for a
pause in rollout, saying six cases of blood clots in 6.8 million
doses had been reported, and it was acting "out of an
abundance of caution."

The J&J jab has been the key component to South Africa’s
vaccine program, having secured 30 million doses at the end of
March. It is also the only vaccine currently being administered
to the country’s health workers.

Therefore, the government’s decision to suspend its rollout
throws the entire country’s program into disarray.

In a statement released on Tuesday, health minister Dr Zweli
Mkhize said “In South Africa, we have not had any reports of
clots that have formed after vaccination, and this is after having
inoculated 289 787 health care workers under the Sisonke
Protocol.”

He also stressed that the suspension will only be temporary and
will not significantly delay the country’s vaccine rollout.

“Our scientists are confident that the FDA’s decision is on a
precautionary basis and we expect that this will not result in
the complete withdrawal of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine
from the vaccination armament.”

The move has been widely criticised by the country’s health
experts.

Wits University’s Professor Francois Venter told Scrolla.Africa,
“The decision on the J&J vaccine is poorly thought through.

“South Africa is not just behind the rest of the world, but
behind much of Africa. Not a single vaccine has been

administered yet, outside of research studies, with delivery
only due in May.”

Venter, one of the country’s foremost experts on the virus, also
expressed concern that the government’s hasty decision
overlooks important practical advantages of the J&J jab, stating
“we need a single shot vaccine that can withstand a cold chain,
for our rural areas.”

Whereas the Pfizer vaccine must be stored in an ultra-cold
freezer at temperatures between -80ºC and -60ºC, the Johnson
& Johnson jab can be stored at a temperature between 2ºC and
8ºC.

He concluded, “It is a disastrous programme at the moment.”

Picture source: @WebMD

Baby loses arm during botched hospital
treatment
Doreen Mokgolo

            Lindokuhle Sweleni, 20, wants justice for her
            baby daughter who went to a Mpumalanga
            hospital with diarrhoea and ended up having her
arm amputated.

The hysterical mother told Scrolla.Africa her daughter was
admitted at Bernice Samuels Hospital in Delmas on 29 March.

She said when they arrived at the hospital the doctor attached
a drip to the girl’s left arm and she suspects it was left
unmonitored.

She said a few hours after the baby was admitted she noticed
the sheets were stained with blood and alerted the nurses.

“They said my baby had pulled the drip from her arm. They
didn't bother to check,” said Lindokuhle.

She said later the baby’s hand started swelling up but nurses
said the swelling would subside and it was nothing to worry
about.

But the swelling didn’t come down.

The skin turned a purple colour. The child developed blisters
and eventually the arm turned black.

The mother said they were transferred to Witbank Hospital in
eMalahleni the next day where they were told that the baby’s
arm had to be amputated.

“The negligence of the nurses caused my daughter's arm to be
amputated,” said Lindokuhle.

“I will not rest until they pay for what they did to my child. My
child was born healthy and they need to be held accountable.”

On Monday Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane
and the MEC of Health Sasekani Manzini visited the family and
called for those responsible to be investigated. She also
indicated that those implicated should be suspended.

Leaked recording reveals Duarte’s deep
support for Zuma
Lungani Zungu

In another leaked recording of the ANC top six
virtual meeting in March, Jessie Duarte can be
heard defending former president Jacob Zuma’s
refusal to attend the Zondo Commission.

In the eight-minute long audio that surfaced on Monday night,
deputy secretary-general Duarte lambasts Deputy Chief Justice
Raymond Zondo, who chairs the state capture commission.

Duarte commended Zuma for snubbing the commission.

“Going to the commission under Zondo, personally, I believe
absolutely it is not a good thing for comrade Zuma to do, given
the personal and historical antagonism that exists between
them (Zondo and Zuma).”

She accused Zondo of turning the commission into a court.

“It has turned into a court of law. It is no longer a commission.
They almost have a prosecutorial attitude towards people who
come to give evidence.”

Zuma now faces a possible two years in jail for defying a
ConCourt order which instructed him to appear at the
commission in February.

Duarte became the deputy secretary-general in 2012 in Zuma’s
top six and retained her position in 2017.

On the recording, she also attacks the North Gauteng High
Court, headed by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo.

“Why is it that whenever we go to the North Gauteng High
Court, we know that we will lose. It’s almost a given that if we
go to Dunstan Mlambo we will lose the case,” she said.

“It’s almost a given that if Judge Hlophe in the Western Cape
listens to a matter the ANC will come out better.”

Duarte also said Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng lacks an
understanding of the Constitution of the Republic of South
Africa.

Mogoeng gave Zuma until Wednesday to explain what he
thought was a suitable sentence for a person who had defied a
ConCourt order.

Zuma has yet to file his affidavit.

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe declined to comment about the
leaked audio.

Picture source: @MyANC

Zondo surprised by Norma Mngoma's
snub
Lungani Zungu

Norma Mngoma dumped the State Capture Commission of
Inquiry at the eleventh hour on Tuesday, leaving its chairperson
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo “surprised” by her
decision.

The estranged wife of former finance minister Malusi Gigaba
informed the commission through her lawyer, Advocate
Gcwalisile Makhathini, of her unprecedented decision.

Makhathini said the decision was triggered by the commission's
poor management of Mngoma's testimony.

She cited alleged mishandling of the proposal for her to appear,
leading her to abort her testimony.

Initially, Mngoma was expected to testify on Friday, but her
testimony was moved to Tuesday.

But this did not happen either.

A visibly stunned Zondo said the commission would summon
her to appear at the commission.

The date of her next appearance would be announced once the
summons had been served.

Mngoma and Gigaba were once a powerful couple, but they
have become enemies.

Mngoma was expected to expose Gigaba's alleged secret
dealings with the controversial Gupta family.

The Guptas allegedly had a say in the appointment of cabinet
ministers and influenced important government decisions while
Jacob Zuma was president.

Ahead of Mngoma’s testimony, Gigaba tried to silence her,
pleading with the commission to allow her testimony to be
heard behind the scenes.

He said he did not want his family to be affected by her
testimony.

The former lovebirds married in 2014 in a glittering ceremony
attended by prominent people, and have since had two
children together.

Their relationship became mired in controversy last year after
Norma was arrested on charges of crimen injuria and malicious
damage.

This was after she allegedly damaged a Mercedes Benz G-Class
belonging to Gigaba’s friend.

The National Prosecuting Authority dropped all the charges
against her recently.

The two are currently proceeding with their divorce, leading to
Gigaba’s wife reverting to her maiden surname, Mngoma.

Picture source: @Zondo_Raymond

LOVED AND LOST: 1999 - 2021

The secret life of Anele ‘Nelli’ Tembe
Sizwe Sibiya

“She was an exceptional and gifted young woman.”

That is how Anele Tembe, the fiancée of rapper Kiernan “AKA”
Forbes was described by family members, in a joint statement
released by the Forbes and Tembe families after her untimely
passing on Sunday, 11 April 2021.

Born in 1999, Nelli, as she was affectionately known, was a
“beloved fiancé, daughter, sister and daughter-in-law,” said her
family.

Little is publicly known about her other than that she was a
daughter of Durban businessman Moses Tembe and that she
had “so much life ahead of her”.

She attended the prestigious Durban Girls College.

Between 2018 and 2019 she was enrolled at the Jackie
Cameron School of Food & Wine in Cape Town, for an “18-
month cookery course,” which the school had excitedly
announced on their website.

They added that her progress was “phenomenal.”

“Anele has matured, and we see her developing into a
competent chef,” wrote the school in December 2018.”

Having been described by the school as someone who has a
decadent sweet tooth, her family added that she also “had a
sweet nature about her and was always nurturing to those
around her.”

AKA, who has been “unconsolable” since her death, has shared
pictures of her on his social media platforms, after a video of
the couple surfaced on Twitter in January 2020.

AKA and Nelli got engaged in February. The rapper confirmed
the news by posting a picture of her hand donning an
engagement ring.

The tragic incident is said to have taken place around 7:30 on
the Sunday morning according to a general manager of the
Pepper Club Hotel Elfi Ella in Cape Town, reported News24.

Nelli had reportedly fallen from the 10th floor of the hotel
building and died soon after paramedics had tried to
resuscitate her.

Picture source: Karen E Photography/jackiecameroon.co.za

I am not a wife beater, DJ Black Coffee
Dylan Bettencourt

                Black Coffee is adamant.

“I did not assault Mbali, the mother of my children,” he said on
Twitter after he spent Monday in the Randburg Magistrate’s
Court where his ex-wife Enhle Mbali applied for a protection
order preventing him from entering their home.

Mbali went to court after the DJ allegedly assaulted her during
her birthday celebrations last month.

In the protection order application, Mbali also wants the court
to prevent Black Coffee from seeing their kids.

On Twitter Black Coffee said he never assaulted Mbali.

“I have never done it before and I didn’t do it now,” he said.

“I grew up witnessing GBV in my own household and from a
young age I vowed never to allow that to happen under any
circumstances."

He said he feels his ex-wife is misleading the public using a
serious issue like gender based violence.

Black Coffee, real name Nkosinathi Maphumulo, said he has
spent the last three years in and out of intensive therapy to
deal with the break up.

“Divorce is never easy but for us it has been especially painful.

“Everyday I am attacked by relentless lies and falsehoods. I did
not assault her.”

The matter has been postponed until 28 April.

Picture source: @News24

Rasta strikes again! DMX painting
labelled his worst ever
Dylan Bettencourt

Infamous artist Rasta has done it again.

Rasta is known for painting less than perfect portraits of
celebrities.

Legendary New York rapper DMX, passed away on 9 April, with
the cause of death reported to be a heart attack.

The rapper was rushed to the hospital just a week earlier
following a reported drug overdose.

He has become the latest “victim" of Rasta's admiration.

Back in Mzansi, Rasta, whose real name is Lebang Sirenje, took
to social media to share his artwork of the late DMX.

Twitter users wasted no time in sharing their thoughts about
Rasta’s work.

One user said: “Rasta’s DMX looks like he was in a brutal UFC
five-round against Amanda Nunes.”

“Of all his drawings this is the worst of them all,” said another
person.

Local celebrities got involved in the action as well, with South
African rapper Stogie T commenting: “Bro, I have a lot of love
for you. I have defended you from negative criticism.”

He said he didn’t want to trash him.

But he added: “Maybe we should encourage you to go to
school for formal training. But brother, you just suck, your
insistence on commemorating people with bad art is insulting.”

Many have called for the artist to hang up his brushes in the
past, but it seems there is no stopping Rasta. South Africans will
just have to bear witness to his art for the foreseeable future.

Picture source: @AdvoBarryRoux

Animal conservation groups demand
answers for well-known baboon killed
by authorities
Dylan Bettencourt

                Philemon, a well-known baboon from the Cape
                Peninsula, has been killed by authorities for
                allegedly breaking into the homes of local
residents.

The City of Cape Town released a statement saying Philemon
was “euthanised” on Thursday 8 April for “the safety of
Smitswinkel Bay troops and the local community.”

The statement alleges that he began to raid residences in the
Murdoch Valley area last year:

“The male baboon entered the urban area on more than 40
occasions, and in February alone he entered houses on more
than 10 occasions while residents were inside.”

But the news has been met with anger and confusion from both
the local residents and animal rights groups, who claim that
there is a lack of evidence to support these claims.

The boisterous baboon was the alpha-male of the Smitswinkel
Bay troop and a popular figure with many of the locals, who
would often photograph or film him when he made an
appearance.

However, it is believed that a small group of residents who
were not fond of the baboon ordered authorities to put it
down.

Residents in the area of Gibson have been campaigning for the
removal of baboons that had been breaking into their homes,
and had sent numerous reports to their ward councillor, Simon
Liell-Cock.

They said that the raids had become so frequent that they had
to introduce “baboon-proofing” measures to protect their
garbage bins, vegetable patches and open houses.

However, Chantal Luyt, the Councillor’s Appointed
Representative of Baboon Suburbs in Smitswinkel Bay,
maintains that there is no proof that Philemon was responsible
for all of these incidents.

She observes the troop almost daily and says that several
baboons carry out these raids at once.

Luyt claims that Philemon was scapegoated, telling the Daily
Maverick, “They are trying to pin it on him in order to take him
out,” she said.

The City of Capetown stands firm on its position that the
baboons were causing discomfort to its residents and putting
Philemon down was the last resort.

However, CapeNature, an animal conservationist organisation,
argues that if they were called upon they would have removed
Philemon from the area and restored peace to all the residents
involved.

Picture source: @DailyMaverick

Sundowns break Chiefs’ winning streak
record
Timmy T Maranda

Seemingly invincible, Mamelodi Sundowns broke the long
standing Kaizer Chiefs 19-match unbeaten streak and remained
unbeaten in the league.

The rampant Sundowns have now extended the streak to 20
matches in the DStv Premiership following a 2-1 win over
Chippa United at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

The victory for the Brazilians extended the gap on top of the log
to six points in the table with two matches in hand, ahead of
second place AmaZulu.

Meanwhile, Chippa United remain in the relegation zone, along
with Black Leopards, after their defeat to high-flying Sundowns.

Themba Zwane broke the dead-lock for Mamelodi Sundowns
from the penalty spot after Aubrey Modiba was fouled in the
box. Zwane stepped up to convert from the spot.

The Nigerian Augustine Kwem levelled matters for the Chilli
boys, much against the run of play, beating Denis Onyango with
a low shot to equalise.

However, it was the Namibian marksman Peter Shalulile with
the winning goal for Mamelodi Sundowns to see off struggling
Chippa United.

In 20 matches, Mamelodi Sundowns have won 13 matches and
drawn seven in the league.

On Thursday, Mamelodi Sundowns will turn their focus to the
Nedbank Cup title defence against Orlando Pirates at Loftus
Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Kick-off 18:00.

Picture source: @Masandawana

A chance for Liverpool to sneak in
through the backdoor
Menzi Magubane

While Liverpool have a tough job on their hands
fighting their way back into the UEFA Champions
League quarter-finals, there may be a chance for
them to sneak in through the backdoor.

They play the match against Real Madrid at Anfield on
Wednesday at 9pm.

Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid lead the tie 3-1 thanks to an
impressive victory in the first leg, but Los Blancos have
problems at the back with Lucas Vazquez their latest injury
casualty.

Vazquez left the field with an injury during Real's 2-1 win over
rivals Barcelona on Saturday.

In addition, centre-back Sergio Ramos is still nursing a calf
injury and Raphael Varane is still sidelined after testing positive
for coronavirus, while defender Dani Carvajal is out with a
hamstring problem.

Speaking after beating Barcelona, Zidane said: "I don’t know
how we are going to end the season. We are hanging in there
but we are struggling to finish games."

Liverpool need to win by two clear goals - something that could
be difficult against an in-form Madrid, who have only lost three
times in their last 26 matches.

In the other quarter-final tie on Wednesday, Borussia
Dortmund host Manchester City at Signal Iduna Park in
Germany at 9pm. City hold a 2-1 lead.

Picture source: @Liverpooloffside