South Africa: Legal Threat Over Non-Placement of Intern Doctors - South African News Briefs - December 22, 2022

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22 December 2022

Cape Town —  Association Threatens Legal Action for Jobs for Intern Doctors

The South African Medical Association (Sama) has threatened legal action against the Health Department over the lack of jobs for newly qualified intern doctors, Eye Witness News reports. The threats come amid concerns that the sector still faces delays in the placement of intern doctors, despite a shortage in professionals.

ANC Will Discipline Five Who Voted for Phala Phala Report

Newly elected African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the five members of Parliament who defied the party by voting to adopt the Section 89 panel report would be disciplined by the new leadership, Eye Witness News reports. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Mosebenzi Zwane, Supra Mahumapelo, Tandi Mahambehlala and Mervyn Dirks voted with opposition parties to adopt the report on Phala Phala, despite the party instructing its caucus to vote against it. If the report had been adopted, it would have led to the impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa for the theft at his Phala Phala game reserve in 2020, in which millions of dollars were stolen and went unreported to authorities.

No Suitable Land to Relocate Gauteng Flood Survivors 

Persistent rains in Roodepoort, Soweto and Centurion have left flood survivors with only short-term relief, as Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse said that the unavailability of land across the city made it difficult to respond to the demand for shelter, Eye Witness News reports. She said that while the city was able to provide short-term relief for families displaced during heavy rains, officials also needed to relocate families living on floodplains before disaster strikes again.

ANC Slammed Over Lack of LGBTQI+ Representation in National Executive Committee

The Embrace Diversity Political Movement (EDPM) has criticised the African National Congress for not electing LGBTQI+ members to its national executive Committe, TimesLive reports. While a pro-ANC movement, the EDPM - a political movement which represents Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer individuals - wrote an open letter to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, displaying their dismay that Steve Letsike, a leading South African HIV/AIDS and LGBTQI+ activist, was not elected. Steve Letsike has dedicated her life not only to the advancement of marginalised communities but has also played a central role in supporting this gigantic movement with her skills and expertise on the approach to safeguarding the community and its human rights,” said spokesperson Duncan Swarts.

Service Delivery Must Not be Politicised, Police Minister Warns

While speaking at the Safer Festive Season Campaign roadshow in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, Police Minister Bheki Cele said that service delivery should not be politicised, EyeWitness News reports. Cele added that while officers were having trouble dealing with crime in the area, construcion of a new police station at Mahaza was on course. The  Safer Festive Season campaign forms part of the theme of "more boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility".

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