Independent Media reports that the EFF will take to the streets in Pretoria on Friday over Covid-19 vaccines. The political party will be marching to the offices of the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra).

The march has been criticised as it will takes place during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with gatherings sharply limited to prevent rising infections. But, the party said it would follow Covid-19 regulations during the march. The EFF is demanding that Sahpra speed up the approval of Russia’s Sputnick V vaccine and the Chinese Sinovac- manufactured Coronavac vaccine. The party has for some time advocated for the government to procure these two vaccines. Sahpra had indicated in February that it was reviewing applications linked to the Sinovac and Sputnick vaccines. The EFF has been critical of the government’s handling of the vaccination programme saying more diverse vaccines should be procured.  EFF leader Julius Malema said President Cyril Rampahosa could not continue imposing lockdowns and should instead be providing vaccines. On Thursday, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, Sahpra CEO, stressed that Sahpra only dealt with the “science” on its vaccine approval process. Health expert Dr Aslam Dasoo, from the Progressive Health Forum, said the EFF’s calls were political and premature. “Sahpra has to what it is legally bound to do,” Dasoo pointed out.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zintle Mahlati at Independent Media

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