Minister Mantashe gets Covid a second time

Minister of Minerals and Energy Gwede Mantashe tested positive for Covid-19 after experiencing mild symptoms, the second time he’s contracted the virus.

The minister is in good spirits and in self-isolation, the presidency said in a statement on Sunday.

Mantashe, 66, was hospitalised last year with Covid.

South Africa registered a record 26 976 daily infections on December 15 amid a fourth wave of cases that’s being driven by the omicron variant.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also tested positive for Covid-19 on December 12 and is making good progress, according to an earlier statement.