For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Govt commends Wits for Covid-19 vaccine trial, South Africa's Covid-19 deaths up 111 in a day and, Malawi elections 'generally peaceful'

Govt commends Wits for Covid-19 vaccine trial

The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has lauded researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand following the announcement of South Africa's first Covid-19 vaccine trial.

The trial aims to find a vaccine that will prevent infection by SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes Covid-19.

The first participants will be enrolled this week.

Dhlomo said the news of the trial in fighting the pandemic “begins to allay the fears among our people and health workers".

South Africa's Covid-19 deaths up 111 in a day

South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that the cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa is 106 108 with 111 deaths and 55 045 recoveries.

Although the Western Cape still consistently has the highest number of infections at 53 512 it now accounts for just over half of the total cases.

Meanwhile, in Gauteng figures have increased to 24 041 of infections and the Eastern Cape has soared to 18 108 cases.

Malawi elections 'generally peaceful'

Tuesday's presidential election re-run in Malawi was generally peaceful without intimidation, despite pockets of violence taking place, the Malawi Electoral Commission has said.

It has been reported that the commission chairperson Chifundo Kachale expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the entire voting process progressed.

He said there was no intimidation of voters or electoral staff, no tampering or damage of electoral materials, which led to his satisfaction that the re-run had been smooth. 

A team of 10 lawyers has been established to deal with electoral complaints.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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