South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign and plans to legally challenge a report that could open the door for impeachment proceedings against him.

The controversy centers around the alleged theft of large sums of cash from Ramaphosa’s private farm — a scandal that has intensified political pressure on the South African leader and triggered renewed scrutiny of his administration.

South African President Says He Will Not Step Down After Impeachment Call

The President said the number of daily infections has increased five-fold in the past week, with nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 tests now returning positive. Two weeks ago, only two per cent of tests were positive.

President Cyril Ramaphosa warned on Monday that South Africa is preparing its hospitals for additional admissions as the Omicron variant drives the country into a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.

The appearance of the new Omicron form was unavoidable, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who called the increase in infections a "grave concern."

In a weekly communication, Ramaphosa stated that Omicron looked to be dominating new infections in most provinces and recommended more people to acquire COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-acts-as-a-wake-up-call-for-rich-nations-about-vaccine-inequality-experts-434570">Also read | Omicron acts as a wake-up call for rich nations about vaccine inequality: Experts</a>

The number of daily infections has surged fivefold in the last week, according to the President, with roughly a quarter of all COVID-19 tests now returning positive.

Only 2% of tests were positive only two weeks earlier.&nbsp;

"While the surge in infections is of great concern, we should remember that we anticipated it. Disease modellers in our country have told us that we would likely experience a fourth wave around this time and that it was almost inevitable that new variants of the virus would emerge, " Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday.

"As the country heads into a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, we are experiencing a rate of infections that we have not seen since the pandemic started. The Omicron variant that was brought to global attention by South African scientists nearly two weeks ago appears to be dominating new infections in most provinces, " he said.

Scientists in South Africa and throughout the globe are still working to answer key issues regarding the novel Omicron variation, including its transmissibility, progression, whether it produces more severe illness, and how effective vaccinations will be against it, he added.&nbsp;

Without waiting for stronger lockdown laws, Ramaphosa advised citizens to be vaccinated and take steps to protect communal safety.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The President said the number of daily infections has increased five-fold in the past week, with nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 tests now returning positive. Two weeks ago, only two per cent of tests were positive.

The President said the number of daily infections has increased five-fold in the past week, with nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 tests now returning positive. Two weeks ago, only two per cent of tests were positive. President Cyril Ramaphosa warned on Monday that South Africa is preparing its hospitals for additional admissions as the Omicron variant drives the country into a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. The appearance of the new Omicron form was unavoidable, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who called the increase in infections a "grave concern." In a weekly communication, Ramaphosa stated that Omicron looked to be dominating new infections in most provinces and recommended more people to acquire COVID-19 vaccines. Also read | Omicron acts as a wake-up call for rich nations about vaccine inequality: Experts The number of daily infections has surged fivefold in the last week, according to the President, with roughly a quarter of all COVID-19 tests now returning positive. Only 2% of tests were positive only two weeks earlier. "While the surge in infections is of great concern, we should remember that we anticipated it. Disease modellers in our country have told us that we would likely experience a fourth wave around this time and that it was almost inevitable that new variants of the virus would emerge, " Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter to the nation on Monday. "As the country heads into a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, we are experiencing a rate of infections that we have not seen since the pandemic started. The Omicron variant that was brought to global attention by South African scientists nearly two weeks ago appears to be dominating new infections in most provinces, " he said. Scientists in South Africa and throughout the globe are still working to answer key issues regarding the novel Omicron variation, including its transmissibility, progression, whether it produces more severe illness, and how effective vaccinations will be against it, he added. Without waiting for stronger lockdown laws, Ramaphosa advised citizens to be vaccinated and take steps to protect communal safety. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid cases increase five-fold in South Africa; President says emergence of Omicron was inevitable

South Africa’s last white president Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk, died on Thursday morning at his home in Cape Town, the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement. He was 85 years old.

“FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement on Thursday.

He was diagnosed in March with mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the tissue lining the lungs. De Klerk had announced his diagnosis on his 85th birthday&nbsp;on March 18 this year.

He is survived by his wife Elita, children Jan and Susan, and grandchildren.

“The family will, in due course, make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements,” the foundation added.

De Klerk headed South Africa’s white minority government until 1994, when Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress party swept to power.&nbsp;Under de Klerk's leadership, South Africa saw a rapid end of the apartheid system, notably, without any major violence.

He shared the Nobel peace prize with Mandela but his role in the transition to democracy remains highly contested more than 20 years after the end of apartheid.

Hailing from a prominent White Afrikaner family, a white ethnic group descended mainly from Dutch colonisers, in Johannesburg, his father was a leading apartheid senator who served briefly as interim president.

He studied law, before being elected to parliament as a member of the National Party that instituted apartheid.

(With inputs from agencies)

South Africa’s last white president Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk, died on Thursday morning at his home in Cape Town, the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement.

South Africa’s last white president Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk, died on Thursday morning at his home in Cape Town, the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement. He was 85 years old. “FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer,” the FW de Klerk Foundation said in a statement on Thursday. He was diagnosed in March with mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the tissue lining the lungs. De Klerk had announced his diagnosis on his 85th birthday on March 18 this year. He is survived by his wife Elita, children Jan and Susan, and grandchildren. “The family will, in due course, make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements,” the foundation added. De Klerk headed South Africa’s white minority government until 1994, when Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress party swept to power. Under de Klerk's leadership, South Africa saw a rapid end of the apartheid system, notably, without any major violence. He shared the Nobel peace prize with Mandela but his role in the transition to democracy remains highly contested more than 20 years after the end of apartheid. Hailing from a prominent White Afrikaner family, a white ethnic group descended mainly from Dutch colonisers, in Johannesburg, his father was a leading apartheid senator who served briefly as interim president. He studied law, before being elected to parliament as a member of the National Party that instituted apartheid. (With inputs from agencies)

South Africa’s last white president FW de Klerk dies at 85 after battling cancer

South Africa will continue to remain on adjusted level 3 lockdown amidst increasing new infection, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday.&nbsp;

“Based on the recommendations of the National Coronavirus Command Council, Cabinet has decided to maintain the country on adjusted alert level 3. Most of the measures that were announced on 28 December 2020 will therefore remain in place,” President said while addressing the nation.

The number of new infections, hospital admissions and deaths is higher now than it has ever been since the first case was recorded in our country in March 2020, Ramaphosa stressed.&nbsp;

Since New Year’s Day, the country has recorded nearly 190,000 new coronavirus infections and more than 4,600 COVID-19 deaths so far this year.

Since the start of the pandemic, South Africa has recorded a cumulative number of more than 1.2 million COVID-19 cases and more than 33,000 deaths.

“In several parts of the country, hospital admissions are also much higher now than during the first wave,” the President said.&nbsp;

“There are currently over 15,000 people with COVID-19 in hospitals nationally, placing a considerable strain on health facilities, personnel and equipment. Around a third of all COVID-19 patients in hospitals are on oxygen,” Ramaphosa said.

In order to reduce congestion and the high risk of transmission, 20 land ports of entry that are currently open will be closed until the 15th of February for general entry and departure, the President added giving the exception for emergencies only.&nbsp;

On vaccine rollout plan, the President said, “the government’s comprehensive vaccination strategy will be the largest and most complex logistical undertaking in our country’s history.”

“It will be far more extensive than our HIV treatment programme or even our national, provincial and local elections in terms of the number of people who have to be reached within a short space of time,” Ramaphosa added.&nbsp;

South Africa will receive vaccine doses for 10% of its population through Covax.

The country’s health department recently announced that they will be getting 1.5 million doses of vaccine from Serum Institute of India. 
&nbsp;

South Africa will continue to remain on adjusted level 3 lockdown amidst increasing new infection, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday. “Based on the recommendations of the National Coronavirus Command Council, Cabinet has decided to maintain the country on adjusted alert level 3.

South Africa will continue to remain on adjusted level 3 lockdown amidst increasing new infection, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday. “Based on the recommendations of the National Coronavirus Command Council, Cabinet has decided to maintain the country on adjusted alert level 3. Most of the measures that were announced on 28 December 2020 will therefore remain in place,” President said while addressing the nation. The number of new infections, hospital admissions and deaths is higher now than it has ever been since the first case was recorded in our country in March 2020, Ramaphosa stressed. Since New Year’s Day, the country has recorded nearly 190,000 new coronavirus infections and more than 4,600 COVID-19 deaths so far this year. Since the start of the pandemic, South Africa has recorded a cumulative number of more than 1.2 million COVID-19 cases and more than 33,000 deaths. “In several parts of the country, hospital admissions are also much higher now than during the first wave,” the President said. “There are currently over 15,000 people with COVID-19 in hospitals nationally, placing a considerable strain on health facilities, personnel and equipment. Around a third of all COVID-19 patients in hospitals are on oxygen,” Ramaphosa said. In order to reduce congestion and the high risk of transmission, 20 land ports of entry that are currently open will be closed until the 15th of February for general entry and departure, the President added giving the exception for emergencies only. On vaccine rollout plan, the President said, “the government’s comprehensive vaccination strategy will be the largest and most complex logistical undertaking in our country’s history.” “It will be far more extensive than our HIV treatment programme or even our national, provincial and local elections in terms of the number of people who have to be reached within a short space of time,” Ramaphosa added. South Africa will receive vaccine doses for 10% of its population through Covax. The country’s health department recently announced that they will be getting 1.5 million doses of vaccine from Serum Institute of India.

South African President Ramaphosa extends lockdown level 3 in South Africa