October 07, 2024.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines:

Ramaphosa mourns patrollers killed in Qumbu

Parly committee impressed by ‘seamless’ Home Affairs processes

And, official says one mpox case found in Uganda prison

Ramaphosa mourns patrollers killed in Qumbu

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness at the killing of six community patrollers in Qumbu, in the Eastern Cape, saying this should strengthen government’s resolve to stop criminals from terrorising communities.

The horrific shooting, on Sunday, also saw four others critically injured.

Ramaphosa said the patrollers were reportedly preparing for duty at their base at Lugongozo Senior Secondary School when attackers struck with an assortment of firearms.

He said criminals terrorised communities in the mistaken belief that they were untouchable and vowed that law enforcement agencies would ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.

Parly committee impressed by ‘seamless’ Home Affairs processes

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has praised the Department of Home Affairs for reducing the visa permit backlog, saying it is impressed by the processes in place to ensure a seamless and verifiable application process.

Yesterday, the committee visited the operation centre of the backlog reduction team, marking the beginning of the committee’s weeklong oversight programme to the department and its entities in Gauteng.

The committee said it would continue to monitor the implementation of the plan as it viewed it as critical in the elimination of unnecessary court cases against the department.

Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane has also commended the various components in the department’s anti-corruption unit and has urged additional human resources for the department, to ensure that the work of the unit is enhanced.

The committee said the team was doing commendable work, while it noted that it was under-resourced.

Official says one mpox case found in Uganda prison

A case of mpox has been found in Nakasongola jail in central Uganda, a prison spokesperson said today, adding that the patient had been isolated and was receiving treatment.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August after a new variant was identified.

Spokesperson for the Uganda Prison Service Frank Baine said unfortunately the prisoner couldn't be given bail since he's being held for murder.

The latest figures released last week showed Uganda's mpox caseload had risen to 41, according to a health official quoted by the Daily Monitor, Uganda's biggest independent newspaper.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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