As President Cyril Ramaphosa briefs the nation today on the latest plans to tackle the deadly Coronavirus, his office assured the public that he is healthy.
This after it emerged that ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is waiting for his results after he tested for the respiratory virus.
Last night Ramaphosa was forced to postpone his address following meetings with the National Command Council - which is chaired by him and includes various government ministers and other interested parties.
Addressing the media at the Union Building in Pretoria last night, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said: “The President is unable to address the nation tonight due to the weighty matters discussed at the National Command Council.
“The meeting is still continuing. They are discussing measures to mitigate against the Coronavirus. This is not an easy matter.”
REASSURANCE: Minister Jackson Mthembu
Mthembu shed light on Ramaphosa’s state of health after Rev Meshoe admitted that he met with a US delegation who recently visited the Divine Mission Church in Bloemfontein.
The Americans are allegedly linked to the recent infection of people in the Free State - which now has recorded seven patients.
Meshoe had contact with Ramaphosa in Cape Town on Tuesday but Mthembu was adamant that the “President is in good health”.
“There is no need to panic. If there is a need for him to go for a test - he would do so. We will not hesitate. We will do so,” he said.
Earlier, Ramaphosa rallied the business community and political parties to support his efforts in curbing the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country.
TESTING: Kenneth Meshoe
Business organisations such as the Banking Association of South Africa, Business Unity South Africa and the Black Business Council were among the organisations that pledged their support to Ramaphosa’s plans.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize announced last night that South Africa now has 274 confirmed cases of COVID-19, representing an increase of 34 from Saturday’s announcement of 240 cases.
The Eastern Cape now has two cases, the Free State nine, Gauteng 132, KwaZulu-Natal 36, Limpopo 1, Mpumalanga 6, and the Western Cape at 88, making for a total of 274.