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

Making headlines: State doctors say Zuma fit to stand trial; Government launches new anti-corruption unit to protect whistleblowers; And, SA's confirmed cases reach more than 2.8-miilion, following an increase of 1 504 new infections

State doctors say Zuma fit to stand trial

The lawyer representing the National Prosecuting Authority has told the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg that state doctors have found that former president Jacob Zuma is fit to stand trial based on documents given to them.

Advocate Wim Trengove told the court that they had issued subpoenas on several witnesses for Zuma's medical records.

However, Zuma's lawyer - advocate Dali Mpofu SC - objected to his client's medical records being handed over. 

He said the former president, who failed to appear in court on Tuesday, had a right to confidentiality and privacy. He also added that Zuma was not seeking to postpone the matter based on medical grounds.

Meanwhile, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, representing national prisons commissioner Arthur Fraser and two correctional services officials, said his clients were in court because they needed to respect the subpoenas.

Government launches new anti-corruption unit to protect whistleblowers

Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo has launched a government unit aimed at rooting out corruption through encouraging and protecting whistleblowers in the public service.

She said the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit would play a critical role in terms of government reaching its objectives as stated in the 2018 National Anti-Corruption Strategy or N.A.C.S.

The NACS was developed by President Cyril Ramaphosa shortly after he assumed the presidency.

According to Dlodlo, the establishment of the unit was an important step in addressing corruption and to encourage workplace ethics as it highlighted to all public servants ensuring an ethical work environment was the responsibility of all employees, not just a select few.

And, SA's confirmed cases reach more than 2.8-miilion, following an increase of 1 504 new infections

South Africa's total confirmed Covid-19 cases currently sit at over 2.8-million, following an increase of 1 504 new infections reported in the past 24 hours.

According to a statement by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 504 new Covid-19 cases have been identified, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 884 134 on Monday.

In the past 24 hours, the country recorded a further 42 Covid-19-related deaths, bringing total fatalities to 86 216 to date.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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