May 24, 2021
An international coalition of 27 think tanks has called on governments to reject a proposal at the World Trade Organisation to cancel intellectual property rights for Covid vaccines.
The Joint Declaration credits IP for the research collaborations and manufacturing partnerships all over the world that have accelerated vaccine production. Rivals have shared proprietary compounds, platforms and technologies to develop Covid vaccines in record time. Indeed, manufacturers are currently on track to make 12-billion doses by the end of 2021 – potentially sufficient to achieve global herd immunity.
“These partnerships would not happen without the legal certainties provided by IP rights. Rip up the rules and the partnerships may crumble. The last thing the world needs at this delicate stage is a complete reshuffling of the deck and that’s what’s implied by the WTO proposal,” says Chris Hattingh, deputy director of the Free Market Foundation (FMF).
âââ LUCKY NKUYANE 12:07 Sat, 15 May 2021
The election of the new JB Marks Local Municipality s mayor, Mapule Mataboge, in the North West has been questioned by the DA in the council.
The DA s Chris Hattingh alleges that the council failed to follow the prescribed act which guides them on how to elect a new mayor. He says what should have been a simple process was complicated by the ANC, which he says chose to undermine the process, by subverting the law.
Hattingh says the communication which was received from the office of the speaker, Kgosiemang Mogoemang, indicated that the election of the new mayor would be conducted through a secret ballot, but this was not the case.
ANC Mayor resigns amid step-aside rule
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POLITICAL parties in the JB Marks Local Municipality will be hard at work to secure the mayorship of the municipality on May 14, following the resignation of mayor, Kgotso Khumalo.
Khumalo was charged with fraud and corruption along with two other municipal officials in October last year, for allegedly siphoning R5 million of municipal funds and channelling them into their personal accounts.
The North West ANC had sent several letters since October asking Khumalo to step aside as per an ANC national executive committee (NEC) decision on those facing criminal charges in courts of law.
The DA has welcomed the move by Khumalo to officially resign.
The executive mayor of the JB Marks Municipality has officially resigned.
A letter seen by News24, titled Special Council Sitting, stated the purpose of the meeting, which was convened by the North West ANC s interim provincial committee, was to bring the report to the council s attention that Kgotso Khumalo resigned as the municipality s executive mayor with immediate effect from 12 May.
News24 has also seen a letter addressed to the speaker s office in the municipality in which Khumalo stated he would be vacating his office. In line with the African National Congress committee decision that a member, office bearer, or public representative, who has been indicted to appear in a court of law on a charge of corruption or other serious crime, must immediately step aside pending the finalisation of his or her case.
Thapelo Maphakela, Gallo Images, file
The ANC IPC in the North West is expected to meet to urgently discuss the non-resignation of corruption-accused JB Marks Mayor Kgotso Khumalo.
News24 understands that Khumalo is among those who have been asked to step aside.
The DA says the ANC is sending out mixed signals.
The ANC s North West interim leadership (IPC) is expected to convene an urgent caucus in the province to discuss the non-resignation of corruption-accused JB Marks Mayor Kgotso Khumalo.
Khumalo, who faces charges of fraud and theft involving R5 million, is affected by a resolution which states that all criminally charged party members must step aside or face suspension.