Author: Gugu Lourie

South Africa may introduce “a total prohibition for the use and consumption of alcohol by all motor vehicle operators on South African public roads.” In March, the cabinet approved the submission of the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill of 2019 to parliament. It said that once passed into law, the bill would contribute in reducing the carnage on the country’s roads. In the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill, the South African government proposes a total ban of alcohol in your system while driving a car. The bill, which was published on Monday, proposes: “Clause 46 amends section 65 by introducing a…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has disapproved 1.6 million applicants for the R350 Social Relief Grant. “Over 1 597 127 have been disapproved since the applicants have some or other means of income,” according to the SASSA statement published on Monday. The agency urged applicants to respond immediately to the SMS received by SASSA and provide their banking details through a secure link. “This will enable SASSA to ensure payments are processed without delay to all eligible applicants. Citizens are reminded that there is no cut-off date for applications for this special relief grant.  Anyone who meets the…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) paid 116 867 people their R350 Social Relief Grant. The Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) announced on Monday on its Twitter page: #SASSACares #SocialReliefGrant @OfficialSASSA has kept the promise to pay at least 100 000 clients who applied for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress. By 31 May 2020, 116 867 clients were paid for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant. — GCIS Media Liaison (@GCISMedia) June 1, 2020 However, GCIS seems to have forgotten to inform the millions of frustrated jobless people who have applied when they should expect their money…

While everything was locked down, daring thieves dug a tunnel and stole huge amounts of booze from a Shoprite Liquorshop in Newtown Junction, Johannesburg. Liquor sales had been banned during level five and four of the COVID-19 lockdown. That is when the thieves struck and made off with an assortment of booze that included whiskey, brandy, gin, ciders, vodka and beer worth about R300,000. The theft which involved boring through a concrete floor was only discovered on Friday because liquor outlets had been shut since the lockdown began at the end of March. A manager of the liquorshop was shocked to…

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that no school should re-open until all necessary precautions are in place. As part of the staggered approach, grades 7 and 12 were expected to return to school today. This week, teacher unions and national governing body associations called on Motshekga to urgently postpone the reopening of schools on Monday, warning that the move will only perpetuate inequalities at schools across the country. In a joint statement, the unions have raised a number of concerns, including that most provincial departments have reported that schools have not been cleaned and disinfected and that educators need…

Telkom unveiled its Big Deal for June 2020, which will enable you to enjoy nonstop, superfast internet connectivity. Uncapped LTE Business Hours is a SIM-only deal. The deal includes the following: Uncapped LTE (Business hours 00h00 – 17h00) 24-month contract Free installation R399 per month “This means that between 00h00 and 17h00 you can enjoy nonstop, superfast internet connectivity, so you can smash those work goals without busting your budget.” You can place your order in three ways: Telkom shop Call 10213 Order online

iiDENTIFii, South Africa’s digital identity artificial intelligence company, announced on Sunday it has expanded its platform onto the Microsoft Azure cloud. iiDENTIFii provides a secure and user-friendly technology platform that authenticates physical identities in a connected world. They are on a mission to stop identity fraud by making seamless identity authentication accessible to everyone, everywhere, on any mobile device. The exponential rate at which iiDENTIFii is growing has allowed for their platform to be deployed across a multi-hosted global infrastructure within a matter of months. This locally based, innovative, artificial intelligence company which is focused on the augmentation of online…

Basic education minister Angie Motshekga’s media briefing scheduled for today,31 May at 18h00 has been rescheduled to tomorrow due to the Minister being engaged in further consultations on the readiness for the reopening of schools. UPDATE: The media briefing by the Minister of Basic Education,Angie Motshekga scheduled for today,31 May at 18h00 has been rescheduled to tomorrow due to the Minister being engaged in further consultations onthe readiness for the reopening of schools #schoolreopening #COVID19inSA — GCIS Media Liaison (@GCISMedia) May 31, 2020 Initial statement below MEDIA ALERT: Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga will brief the media to provide…

The African National Congress (ANC) is proposing using private pension savings and direct financial interventions to revive South Africa’s economy after the COVID-19 crisis, according to a report in the Sunday Times. According a ANC document on economic reconstruction leaked to the Sunday Time, the ruling party proposes to use direct financial interventions by the state pension fund, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and the Reserve Bank to “fund long-term infrastructure and capital projects” to help revive the economy. The document proposes more state interventions such as speeding up the creation of a state-owned bank and state-owned pharmaceutical company. The asset…

Basic education minister Angie Motshekga’s plans to partially reopen schools from tomorrow are in serious doubt, according to a report in the Sunday Times. As part of the staggered approach, the grades 7 and 12 are expected to return to school tomorrow. This week, teacher unions and national governing body associations called on Motshekga to urgently postpone the reopening of schools on Monday, warning that the move will only perpetuate inequalities at schools across the country. In a joint statement, the unions have raised a number of concerns, including that most provincial departments have reported that schools have not been cleaned…