SA mines minister, Gwede Mantashe, tests positive for COVID-19

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

SA mines minister, Gwede Mantashe, tests positive for COVID-19

7:35 CAT | 15 Jul 2020

Minister Gwede Mantashe had previously tested negative. [Photo: AFP]

South African mines minister, Gwede Mantashe, and his wife Nolwandle Mantashe have tested positive for COVID-19, said EyeWitness News (EWN).

The couple are in isolation and the minister, who received his results earlier on Tuesday, will continue to work from home, the publication said citing a government statement.

Mantashe remained committed to a course of ensuring security of energy and petroleum products supply to society during this difficult period and beyond, the statement said, adding that this was the minister’s third round of tests since the outbreak of this virus.

According to the Minerals Council South Africa, the country has a reported 287,796 positive cases of COVID-19 of which some 4,172 are fatalities.

In the mining sector specifically, 4708 positive cases have been reported and 37 deaths with the most fatalities occurring in the platinum sector (21) followed by gold (11) and coal where some three people have died from the disease.

South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Sunday imposed new lockdown measures banning the sale of alcohol and imposing a nighttime curfew in an attempt to reduce the number of non-COVID-19 hospital bed occupancies.

South Africa has confirmed about 287,000 coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organization, the highest on the continent.

The Presidency media statement:

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe (MP) and his wife, Mrs Nolwandle Mantashe have tested positive for Covid-19. The Minister received his results earlier today, 14 July 2020.

This was the Minister’s 3rd round of tests to be conducted since the outbreak of this virus.

Minister Mantashe and Mrs Mantashe are currently in isolation and the Minister will continue to work from home.

The Minister remains committed to a course of ensuring security of energy and petroleum products supply to society during this difficult period and beyond.

The Minister has directed all members of his private office in government to also test.

As we wish Minister and Mrs Mantashe a speedy recovery, we extend the same well wishes to the thousands of South Africans and their families who are also battling coronavirus.

To defeat this virus, we must all continue playing our part in observing the WHO protocols of washing hands regularly, wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing.

Source: MIning M / BBC / BizNews