For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Magashule, Zuma court bids dismissed; Johannesburg mayor Makhubo dies after contracting coronavirus; And, Vaccination of 35 to 49 age group and weekend vaccination to kick off on August 1

Magashule, Zuma court bids dismissed

The Gauteng High Court has dismissed African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule’s bid to overturn his suspension, saying the party’s step aside rule cannot be ruled unconstitutional.

Last month, Magashule had asked the court to lift his suspension for failing to vacate his position following a directive under the ANC’s step-aside resolution. 

Delivering the judgment Judge Jody Kollapen said the application was dismissed with costs, including the costs of the three counsel.

Meanwhile, South Africa's high court dismissed former president Jacob Zuma's application to block his arrest for contempt of court, days after he handed himself over to police to begin a 15-month jail term.

Johannesburg mayor Makhubo dies after contracting coronavirus

The mayor of Johannesburg has died after contracting the coronavirus.

Geoff Makhubo was hospitalized after becoming infected with Covid-19 and he succumbed to the disease today, the city said in a statement. Eunice Mgcina was named the acting mayor.

South Africa is currently in the throes of a third wave of coronavirus infections, with Johannesburg and the surrounding Gauteng province bearing the brunt of new cases.

And, Vaccination of 35 to 49 age group and weekend vaccination to kick off on August 1

Acting Minister of Health Mmamoloko Kubayi announced on Friday that registration for the Covid-19 vaccine for persons aged between 35 and 49 will open on July 15, with vaccinations for this age group to start on August 1.

The Department of Health will also be making available more health personnel to kick off weekend vaccinations from August 1.

It hopes to vaccinate at least 250 000 people a day by the end of next week and 300 000 people a day by the end of August. As of Thursday, the number of vaccinations per day have surpassed 191 000.

So far, more than four-million vaccine doses have been administered in South Africa.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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