Major Health Push: Over 1,000 in South Africa's Western Cape Begin Lenacapavir Treatment
South Africa sees significant news across health, governance, and crime. The Western Cape has administered over 1,100 Lenacapavir HIV prevention injections, while Ekurhuleni's suspended legal chief, Kemi Behari, has been arrested over allegations of shielding a police chief. Meanwhile, Eastern Cape police have apprehended a second suspect in the murder of ANC councillor Sicelo Mleve.
Recent developments across South Africa highlight significant events in public health, municipal governance, and criminal justice. In the Western Cape, the provincial health department has reported a positive uptake of the new long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir. Since its introduction in June, more than 1,100 individuals have chosen this prevention method. The province has administered 1,140 injections from an initial stock of 29,000 doses, primarily focusing on high-risk areas. This innovative injection offers protection for up to 28 weeks and boasts an effectiveness rate exceeding 96% in preventing HIV infection. It serves as a crucial complement to existing prevention strategies, including daily oral PrEP and the consistent use of condoms. Nationally, Gauteng has seen an even larger reach, with 6,000 recipients having received the Lenacapavir injection.
In a separate and developing story, Kemi Behari, the suspended Head of Legal Services for the City of Ekurhuleni, has been arrested. Reports from EWN indicate that Behari was apprehended at the city's Germiston offices. His arrest follows implications at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where evidence surfaced alleging that he had actively shielded the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Police Department (EMPD) Chief Julius Mkhwanazi from disciplinary proceedings. This comes after the Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) concluded in 2023 that Mkhwanazi should face urgent disciplinary action regarding his alleged association with an individual identified as alleged crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
Further east, police in the Eastern Cape have made a second arrest in connection with the murder of ANC ward councillor Sicelo Mleve. Mleve was tragically killed last month during a community meeting held in Zwide. The latest suspect, identified as 21-year-old Ahlumile Stofile, was taken into custody on Monday. Stofile is scheduled to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate's Court on Friday, where he will join co-accused Lufunolwethu Nyodi for a formal bail application. Authorities have confirmed that investigations into the councillor's killing are ongoing, with efforts continuing to identify and apprehend all individuals responsible for the crime.