Author: Gugu Lourie

Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), wants the South African government to make the COVID-19 special grants permanent. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the next 6 months. The grant is to be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed and do not receive any other form of a social grant or UIF payment. The Department of Social Development will issue the requirements needed to access and apply for this funding. Malema wants the grant to be permanent and increased to R1, 000…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 4 546. The total number of tests conducted to date is 168 643, of which 7 639 were done in the last 24 hours The provincial breakdown: Reporting of Deaths “We regrettably report another COVID-19 related death (1) in the Western Cape, which increases the total number of deaths to 87,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. “We convey condolences to the family and appreciate our frontline workers who treated this patient. “We urge you to take preventative measures such as meticulous hand washing and the…

The massive treasure trove of R20 billion set aside for the Department of Health to help South Africa weather the deadly COVID-19 storm could trigger a war among businesspeople. Sunday World reports that black businesses allege that they have been sidelined in the allocation of multimillion-rand contracts for sourcing equipment for the fight against COVID-19. The much-sought-after equipment includes ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPEs). Black businesses are represented by the Black Business Council (BBC). “We have noticed some actions by those who are against economic transformation of trying to sideline black-and-women-owned suppliers,” said BBC CEO Kganki Matabane. “We have…

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) is warning of a scam that has targeted unemployed South Africans in recent days. The scam is called – How to Apply for the Unemployment Grant – is circulating on social media. “Please ignore this incorrect information circulating on social media, it does not come from Sassa,” Sassa said on its Twitter page. “We are currently finalizing systems for the R350 grants and will publicize the procedure and criteria soon. Also note that the Sassa offices are closed during the lockdown period.” Please ignore this incorrect information circulating on social media, it does…

The South African government has been providing food parcels to distressed families and individuals during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. However, some of the food parcels have been looted by municipal councillors. Now a new study suggests that some poor people didn’t have money to buy food during the lockdown. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a five-level plan to ease lockdowns and a R500 billion stimulus package. Priscilla Reddy, a professor at Human Sciences…

The South African government may replace food parcels that are being looted by councillors with vouchers, it emerged on Sunday. Higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande said on Sunday the government was concerned about reports of corruption in the distribution of food parcels. “Government is looking at the issue very closely with the possibility of looking at alternatives to food parcels such as vouchers,” he said. Nzimande was speaking at the release of the outcome of the second part of a research report by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on the impact of the coronavirus on South Africans.…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 4 361. The total number of tests conducted to date is 161 004, of which 8 614 were done in the last 24 hours. The provincial breakdown of COVID-19 cases is as follows: Gauteng: 1 304 Western Cape: 1 514 KwaZulu-Natal: 847 Eastern Cape: 488 Free State: 111 Limpopo: 30 North West: 28 Mpumalanga: 23 Northern Cape: 16 Unallocated: 0 “Today we are saddened to report 7 more deaths, making the total number of deaths 86,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Ministere of health. The new deaths…

The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, today visited the site where temporary residential units (TRAs) are being built to accommodate people from densely populated informal settlements. The country plans to decrease the headcount in 29 critically overcrowded informal settlements across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape as COVID-19 continues to spread. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced five-level plan to ease lockdown. Sisulu today received a status update…

South Africans took to Twitter on Friday to commend President Cyril Ramaphosa for the leadership he has shown since the coronavirus came to the country. Twitter called for Fridays to be dedicated to the great work being done by Ramaphosa under hashtag #CyrilFridays. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a five-level plan to ease lockdowns and a R500 billion stimulus package. Dear Mr President @CyrilRamaphosa. We thank you for your leadership. Together…

Busisiwe Memela, the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), says the organisation will screen COVID-19 special grants applicants against other databases to see whether they qualify. On Thursday, Memela on Cape Talk radio detailed Sassa plans for registering and distributing relief money to unemployed South Africans impacted by the lockdown. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced five-level plan to ease lockdown. As part of a R50 billion directed towards relieving…