Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu tests positive for COVID-19

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu has tested positive for COVID-19, the presidency confirmed on Monday 11 January 2021. According to a statement, the minister took the test early on Monday after showing some symptoms. 

The news comes hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on the latest developments in our response to COVID-19.

JACKSON MTHEMBU AND OTHERS TO SELF-QUARANTINE 

As per the COVID-19 regulations, Mthembu, as well as those who have come in contact with him, will immediately self-quarantine. 

Jackson Mthembu, according to Cabinet Spokesperson Phumla Williams, is the fourth member of the Executive who has tested positive in the past week, however, he remains in high spirits and wishes all those who are also fighting COVID-19 a speedy recovery. 

“We once again urge all South Africans to play their part by continuing to regularly wash/sanitising their hands, properly wearing a face mask and practising physical distancing at all times,” said Mthembu. 

DAVID MAHLOBO TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19  

Apart from Jackson Mthembu, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo also recently tested positive for COVID-19. He received his results on Thursday 7 January 2021. 

Williams said it was the Deputy Minister’s first test to be conducted since the outbreak of the virus in South Africa in March 2020.

“As South Africa is currently undergoing the second wave of the pandemic, we wish Deputy Minister Mahlobo as well as the thousands of South Africans who are battling this disease a speedy recovery. We further send our sincerest condolences to those who lost their loved ones to this disease,” said Williams. 

“As President Ramaphosa said during his last address to the nation, ‘We can and will defeat this pandemic, but only if we each play our part.’ It is therefore crucial that we continue to follow all health protocols of regularly washing/sanitising our hands, wearing a mask that covers both nose and mouth and practising physical distancing at all times.”

LATEST CORONAVIRUS FIGURES 

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who is sometimes seen with Jackson Mthembu at certain press conferences, said there were a total number of 1 231 597 COVID-19 cases in SA on Sunday evening 10 January.

He sadly also reported a further 339 COVID-19-related deaths; 77 in the Eastern Cape, 19 in the Free State, 28 in Gauteng, 71 in KwaZulu-Natal, 14 in Limpopo, 10 in Mpumalanga, seven in the Northern Cape and 113 in the Western Cape. 

That brought the cumulative number of deaths to 33 163.