COVID BREAKTHROUGH BRINGS WORLD CLOSER TO HIV/AIDS VACCINE - Scrolla.Africa

Wednesday 7 April
                                             2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

COVID BREAKTHROUGH BRINGS
WORLD CLOSER TO HIV/AIDS VACCINE
Arthur Greene

Scientists unravelling the mystery of Covid-19 might have
unlocked the key to another pandemic.

A new HIV vaccine, which was developed using technology
developed for Covid-19 vaccines, has passed a significant early
hurdle after showing a 97% success rate in the first human trial.

The same breakthrough approach used for some of the best
Covid-19 vaccines also shows promise for protection against
HIV.

News of this trial represents the latest medical development to
emerge out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last month, we reported
that progress had been made in producing an effective malaria

vaccine using the same approach - known as mRNA. This is the
technology used by Moderna and Pfizer to develop their Covid
vaccines.

The Scripps Research institute and IAVI have developed a
vaccine with this technology which helps patients develop
antibodies against the virus.

The results showed that 97% of the participants who did not
receive a placebo had the desired type of antibody in their
bloodstream.

Dr Julie McElrath, senior vice president and director of Fred
Hutch’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division has called it a
“landmark study” in the HIV vaccine field.

While the vaccine is still a long way from being put into an
injection and administered to the public, the news represents a
giant leap forward for vaccine science.

The method used to produce this vaccine can be used to
combat other viruses besides HIV.

The same approach can also be used to try and create new
vaccines for other diseases as well as malaria, such as flu,
dengue, Zika, and hepatitis C.

“This clinical trial has shown that we can drive immune
responses in predictable ways to make new and better vaccines
and not just for HIV,” said Dr Dennis Burton of Scripps
Research.

“The breakthrough brings about a new day in vaccinology.”

Picture source: @NLM_HIV

Government signs up for 20 million
Pfizer vaccines - but rollout still slow
Dylan Bettencourt

                The South African Department of Health has
                secured 20 million Covid-19 vaccines from
                pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

This double-dose vaccine is expected to arrive in South Africa in
the next two weeks.

30 million Johnson & Johnson vaccines have already been lined
up.

Despite these promising numbers, only a small number of
vaccines have been administered so far - an average of 5,700 a
day.

South Africa is still in phase one of the vaccine rollouts which
only includes frontline health workers being able to get the
vaccine.

Phase two of the rollout is expected to begin in May and will
run until October. Phase two will allow essential workers,
people over 60 and those with existing comorbidities to get
vaccinated.

The government wants the second phase of the rollout to
vaccinate 13 million South Africans in the six-month period
before phase three begins in November. Phase three targets
remaining South Africans.

Professor Glenda Gray, Medical Research Council chief
executive, believes the new vaccines will accelerate the rollout

process, but said the vaccination process was more
complicated than people think.

She said: “The Pfizer vials have six doses per vial and the
Johnson & Johnson two. Our vaccinators need to know how it
goes into the syringe and ensure they’re not under or
overdosing, which requires good oversight of the whole process
to ensure critical vigilance and safety.”

Picture source: @ITV

Dramatic footage of Mozambican attack
shown on TV
Dramatic aerial footage of the attack on the
Mozambican town of Palma by Islamic militants
has been screened by Britain’s Sky News.

Dozens of people were killed in the rampage through the town.

The video was shot from a helicopter that was scrambling to
ferry people away from the carnage as survivors were being
hunted down by insurgents.

Mozambican security forces have retaken the town but reports
indicate that the bodies of people killed after being pulled from
cars and lorries are littered across the town.

The insurgency has been running since 2017 by a group that is
affiliated with the Islamic State.

The footage shows terrified civilians running for cover. Groups
of people can be seen next to messages of "Help" and "SOS"
made out of stones and sheets and written on the ground.

The helicopters belonged to the Dyck Advisory Group, a private
armed contractor hired by the Mozambican government. They
were landing and attempting to rescue survivors.

The helicopters could only take a few people at a time, and so
each rescue mission involved multiple trips, under fire.

Cars were overturned and broken on the main road to the
town's beach. They had been part of an escape attempt by a
convoy from the Amarula Lodge hotel, popular with
expatriates, but were ambushed on the road.

Among those killed in the ambush was South African Adrian
Nel, a construction worker who tried to flee with his younger
brother and father who survived the attack.

Picture source: Youtube/Sky News

Izinduna warn KZN: “You are starting a
war you cannot win”
Lungani Zungu

More than 3,000 izinduna in KZN are demanding R1,4-billion in
back pay promised in 2014 by then president Jacob Zuma.

It's an amount that could bankrupt the provincial government if
it coughed up.

But if Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has his way, the
izinduna may not get a cent.

The AG has warned the KZN government against paying this
amount from the already-strained public purse.

The izinduna have held a series of marches and are asking for
the money promised to them when Zuma signed the
proclamation for their salaries in 2014.

Induna Dumisani Khuzwayo of the Qwabe clan from
Maphumulo to Ndwedwe said the government was starting a
war it could not win.

“This is nonsense. We have been waiting for many years for our
money,” he said.

“The government must cut the bloated salaries of its
employees. We must all have a fair share of government
wages.”

He said it was wrong that their monthly salaries of R9,000 have
not increased since they started in 2017.

In 2019, the province paid R334 million in salaries to izinduna.

Premier Sihle Zikalala welcomed the report.

“The AG’s report has pointed to existing risks such as the
payment of izinduna.”

The AG’s report also flagged the Department of Health’s
medical claim as a dent in the provincial budget.

Zikalala said: “We must stay on course to be a province that is
characterised by clean audits and good governance. Of
importance is that we must be able to account for every cent
that we have been charged to look after.”

The government has maintained that it does not have the
money, threatening to go to court to avoid paying the back pay.

Francois Rodgers, the newly-elected DA provincial leader also
said the government couldn't afford to back pay the izinduna.

Zuma’s a lonely figure as he blows out
his candles
Lungani Zungu

               Former president Jacob Zuma’s birthday parties
               used to be fun-filled events with dancers, food
               and celebrations. High profile business people
and politicians graced Nkandla or any of his official residences.

This year he will turn 80 on Monday while he fights a number of
legal battles that could even land him in jail.

Zuma finds himself isolated as the tight grip he once had on his
supporters has slipped from his grasp.

His former allies are nowhere to be seen.

People like Durban-based billionaire Vivian Reddy, who was
among the people behind the Friends of JZ Trust, have
vanished.

The frustrated Zuma has accused the party of neglecting him in
the transcript of his 23-page speaking notes to the top six he
released on Sunday.

Many of his loyalists have switched loyalty to Cyril Ramaphosa.

Previously, a smiling Zuma would be pictured cutting cake with
his four wives flanking him, but like his political life, his love life
is floundering.

Zuma will celebrate his birthday without Thobeka Madiba-
Zuma after the two had a huge fallout last year, resulting in
Zuma kicking her out of Nkandla.

Only two of the wives, his first wife, Sizakele Zuma
(Makhumalo) and Bongi Ngema-Zuma are still at his side.

His brother Khanya said he had no idea whether there would be
a big party in Nkandla.

“Let’s wait and see. Maybe his children will surprise him. It
would be good if we host a party to celebrate this milestone,”
he said.

Khanya said he spent most of his time with Zuma in Nkandla.

A birthday celebration must be the last thing in the mind of a
man who is facing jail time.

The State Capture Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Deputy
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, wants Zuma to be jailed for two
years for defying a Constitutional Court order.

The ConCourt was yet to make a judgement.

Picture source: Mail & Guardian

Shambles at police lab keeps gogo from
final resting place
Kamogelo Muvhenzhe

Seven months ago, 86-year-old gogo Martha Mokgwebane, was
murdered, allegedly by her neighbour's son.

Her body was chopped into pieces and burnt beyond
recognition and thrown into a pit toilet.

All the police could get for DNA analysis were her bones.

Though a suspect has been arrested, her family wants to bury
her so her soul can rest in peace and they move on with their
lives as well.

But it looks like this is going to take even longer as there is a
backlog at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory.

In March, civil rights group Action Society's spokesperson Rineé
Pretorius said it was confirmed that the current DNA backlog
was at 172,787 cases.

This was only for the months of January and February 2021,
with no DNA evidence processed.

She said the numbers were increasing as the DNA board
struggled to sort out issues ranging from procurement of DNA
chemistry and consumables, dysfunctional contract
management, poor leadership within the police as well as IT
problems.

This is not what the family of gogo Martha wants to hear.

Her daughter, Christina Mthembu, 64, told Scrolla.Africa that
the family is not able to move on with their lives unless her
mother is buried.

“At the scene where my mom’s body was found, I picked the
sand where it was lying and some of her burnt flesh. I put it in a
small box, covered it with a blanket and put it in my bedroom
hoping we will bury her soon. This is heartbreaking, we need
closure,” she said.

She added that things have not been easy for the family since
the murder because traditionally they could never end the
mourning period unless gogo Martha is buried.

“Some of my mother’s grandchildren have lost jobs and we
believe this is because she isn't happy with her not being at her
final resting place,” she said.

Spokesman for Limpopo police Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo
said they have tried to explain the issue of backlog to the family
as they understand that they needed closure.

“We went to the Laboratory last week to check on the results
but they were not available. The case has also been postponed
pending the outcome of the DNA tests results,” he said.

Prince Kaybee: The DJ you love to hate
Sizwe Sibiya

With his 2021 album, The 4th Republic, released on
5 March, Prince Kaybee has reminded people why
he triumphed on SABC’s DJ talent show, 1’s and
2’s, which kickstarted his career in 2015.

The 24 track-long album features hits like Ebabayo, on which he
featured the talented singer Nolwazi.

On YFM, Kaybee announced that the project will be his second
last album after releasing three previous studio albums.

His earlier ventures included an EP titled The Crossover, a
collection of nine songs which contains the remix of his most
loved and coveted song, “Gugulethu.” The banger features
industry-big guns like AKA and Indlovukazi, just to name a
couple.

The 31-year-old from Senekal in the Free State managed to
stick to his traditional deep house sound, despite Amapiano
being the most fashionable music genre in South Africa
currently.

The star takes music fans on a transcendent journey across all
African borders with Swahili lyrics on the spiritual “Umenitosha
song,” which features Polaris on vocals.

Picture source: @PrinceKaybee_SA

Sundowns dominate as Chiefs stumble
Menzi Magubane

             Mamelodi Sundowns continued to dominate the
             DStv Premiership while Kaizer Chiefs stumbled at
             home. Both teams were back for domestic duties
on Tuesday after continental engagements last weekend.

Sundowns beat relegation strugglers Tshakhuma Tsha
Madzivhandila 3-1 in Polokwane.

Masandawana were looking for maximum points to open up
the gap on top given that Golden Arrows and AmaZulu, tied in
second, were closing in.

Now the gap is six points but Sundowns have played two games
less then the Durban outfits.

Sundowns also maintained their unbeaten run in the league -
the only side who have yet to lose - after 19 matches.

Masandawana are now on an unbeaten run that has stretched
to 28 games across all competitions this season.

The Tshwane side started the match slowly and found
themselves chasing from behind with Thembisani Nevhulamba
giving the home side the lead in the 17th minute.

But Downs managed to equalise before half time with defender
Rivaldo Coetzee to go to the interval 1-1. In the second stanza
the reigning champions took charge of the proceedings and
were rewarded for their efforts.

In the 61st minute Downs were given a penalty after a foul on
Themba Zwane by Lehlohonolo Nonyane. But Gaston blasted
the ball to miss a target.

Seven minutes later young Sphelele Mkhulise gave Downs a
well deserved lead while Sibusiso Vilakazi came up with a
winner 10 minutes before time.

The defeat left Tshakhuma second from bottom, with just three
points separating them from their fellow Limpopo distant
neighbours Black Leopards.

Meanwhile in Soweto, Chiefs were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw
by Stellenbosch. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo helped Amakhosi to
salvage a point with a 85th minute equaliser.

All goals came in the last 20 minutes of the match with Stellies
breaking the deadlock in the 72nd minute. Nathan Sinkala put
them ahead while Leonardo Castro equalised for Chiefs five
minutes later.

In the 79th minute Phathutshedzo Nange restored the visitors’
lead but it was Ngcobo who had the last say five minutes
before time.

Picture source: @Masandawana

Cash-strapped SAFA will go for the
cheaper option
Linda Ximba

               Scrolla.Africa has reliably learnt that SAFA is likely
               to settle for a cheaper option when hiring the
               new Bafana Bafana coach.

While previous reports indicate that the association made a
surplus of R60 million in the last financial year it is believed to
be swimming in a sea of debt.

A source, who is a SAFA NEC member, laughed off reports that
they will appoint either experienced French coach Herve
Renard or Hugo Henri Broos from Belgium to replace ousted
Molefi Ntseki.

“There’s no way we will go for an expensive coach because we
are not healthy financially,” said the source.

“We are busy with retrenchments and there are people who
have vowed to take the association to court claiming undue
processes and other things.”

He said there are employees on a hefty salary scale who are
likely to leave with golden handshakes.

“Where are we going to get money to pay these expensive
European coaches? The available option is to take a local coach
rather than one from outside the borders,” said the NEC
member.

Renard, who became the first coach to win two Africa Cup of
Nations tournaments with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in
2015, is currently the manager of Saudi Arabia.

Henri Broos is with a job after being caretaker manager and
sports director at Oostende. He has previously coached the
national team of Cameroon.

Picture source: @BafanaBafana

Trafficking, “sugar daddies”: the US
politician caught in a spiral of sex
scandals
Arthur Greene

US politician Matt Gaetz, a close ally of Donald Trump, has for
the past week been embroiled in a sordid sex scandal involving
the alleged trafficking of an underage girl.

The New York Times reported last Wednesday that the Florida
Republican congressman is being investigated over allegations
that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid
her to travel with him.

The investigation, conducted by the US Justice Department, is
in fact part of a larger probe into Joel Greenberg, a Florida
official and close friend of Gaetz, who was indicted last summer
on child sex trafficking charges.

Greenberg and Gaetz are alleged to have sought out women on
so-called "sugar daddy" websites, on which young women are
lavished with money and gifts by older men in exchange for sex.

An investigation by the Times found that one woman had been
paid by Gaetz and Greenberg, while the latter paid a second
woman. The women alleged to their friends that the payments
were for sex with the two men.

The two men have also been identified on footage taken by a
security camera several years ago entering a closed tax
collector office on a weekend, and searching through a basket
of expired drivers’ licenses.

The justice department alleges that Gaetz and Greenberg also
paid for hotel rooms for women, where the group took the
illicit drug ecstasy before having sex.

Gaetz and Greenberg have both vehemently denied the
allegations. Gaetz went further, appearing on Fox News last

week to sensationally claim that the Justice Department
investigation was actually related to an attempt by a former
government official to extort money from his family.

"On 16 March, my father got a text message demanding a
meeting, wherein a person demanded $25m [R 363m] in
exchange for making horrible sex trafficking allegations against
me go away," Gaetz said.

Gaetz, who was previously tipped by commentators to be a
rising star in the Republican Party, and has made several public
appearances alongside Donald Trump during his presidency.

Now, the congressman’s political career is under threat and his
friend Trump is nowhere to be seen, and has reportedly been
advised to remain silent.

Picture source: @Liliwhite6966