Political analysts believe Sunday night’s address by President Cyril Ramaphosa will focus on convincing South Africans to take the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic more seriously.

The Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley in the Northern Cape says it is optimistic that Mayor Patrick Mabilo will overcome the coronavirus.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says he learned with shock and sadness about the passing of ANC KwaZulu-Natal Spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu.

The Congress of the People (COPE) has slammed Eskom’s latest round of nationwide load shedding.

South African Council of Churches General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana has described struggle stalwart Tom Manthata as the epitome of integrity and dedication.

Former commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Tom Manthata has passed away at the age of 80 after having succumbed to the coronavirus.

The Health Department and Democratic Alliance (DA) MP, Siviwe Gwarube, are engaged in a war of words over the Eastern Cape’s R10 million scooter project.

African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu is to be buried in KwaDukuza on the north coast of Durban on Saturday.

Former State Security Agency (SSA) Director-General Jeff Maqetuka has told the State Capture Commission that he believes the 2009 rush to amalgamate the country’s intelligence services was aimed at eroding the gains of Mbeki’s regime.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has accorded the late Queen of AmaRharhabe Noloyiso Sandile an official special funeral category one. She died of a COVID- 19 related illness at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane on Wednesday.

Journalist Ranjeni Munusamy has abandoned her application to cross-examine two witnesses, who implicated her at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the Eskom’s return to load shedding is another death blow to the country’s hemorrhaging economy. The DA says apart from the ANC’s economic lockdown, the economy now also have to weather the storm of rolling blackouts.

The North West Co-operative Governance MEC Gordon Kegakilwe has been buried in his home town of Vryburg.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has rejected the newly launched South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) editorial structure and calls for its immediate review.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has tested positive for COVID-19. In a statement on Friday morning, Makhura says he experienced some mild symptoms on Wednesday.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West has called on learners, teacher unions and parents to boycott schools. It says the coronavirus (COVID-19) infections continue to increase, hence the call for the boycott.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Eastern Cape did not consult his department on the specifications of the medical scooters that the province has procured.

The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture will on Friday morning hear testimony from the former director-general of the State Security Agency (SSA), Jeff Maqetuka.