Author: Staff Writer
Police Minister Bheki Cele has expressed concern at a large number of public officials arrested for violating COVID-19 regulations. Cele, during a visit to KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday to assess adherence to the National State of Disaster regulations, revealed that 131 officials have been arrested since last month. Those arrested include security forces, government officials and councillors. Among them were two Sergeants from Katlehong, Gauteng, who were arrested after allegedly demanding a bribe from a businessman, who had contravened the lockdown regulations on Monday. Cele said the two allegedly promised the businessman that they would destroy the docket in exchange for…
The International Women’s Forum of South Africa (IWFSA) has praised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s R500-billion economic stimulus and recovery plan, saying it will help beleaguered communities, particularly the youth, women and small businesses, as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the world’s people and economies. “We are pleased that this package – the biggest economic rescue package in our nation’s modern history, is a product of input from all partners, including government, business sector, labour and civil society,” said Irene Charnley, President of IWFSA. “It is especially important to note that the package is focussed on addressing the pressing needs…
To save small businesses and support government funding for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), a group of South African entrepreneurs, funders and small business experts have banded together to launch Save Your Local. Save Your Local is a non-profit online aggregator that connects small businesses with their communities and customers by giving them access to a variety of voucher and donation platforms. Incepted just 10 days ago, Save Your Local aims to support small businesses by sustaining cash flow and averting business closures due to COVID-19. This is being achieved by providing online income-generating opportunities for businesses currently unable…
Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com, today announced the opening of the AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region. With this launch, AWS now spans 73 Availability Zones within 23 geographic regions around the world and has announced plans for 12 more Availability Zones across four more AWS Regions in Indonesia, Italy, Japan, and Spain. Starting today, developers, startups, and enterprises, as well as government, education, and non-profit organisations can run their applications and serve end-users in Africa with even lower latency and leverage advanced AWS technologies to drive innovation. “The cloud is positively transforming lives and businesses across Africa and we…
As the country continues to battle the impact of COVID-19, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) applauds President Ramaphosa’s fiscal stimulus to the economy. The JSE believes that the well-timed announcement balances South Africa’s fiscal challenges with the need for stimulation and growth in the economy. The government’s R500 billion stimulus package is a clear indication of government’s commitment to stimulating the economy whilst prioritising the fight against COVID-19. For more read: SA President Ramaphosa Announces R500-bn Stimulus Package The JSE believes that the additional measures mentioned in the stimulus package will be constructive in enhancing both consumer and business confidence…
South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases now stands at 3 465 as of Tuesday. The total number of tests conducted are 126 937 of which 5 427 were done in the last 24 hours. The provincial breakdown is as follows: Gauteng 1199 Western Cape 1010 KwaZulu-Natal 671 Eastern Cape 345 Free State 106 Limpopo 27 North West 24 Mpumalanga …
DHL Global Forwarding has launched a dedicated 100-tonne weekly air freight service for organizations and governments shipping goods from China to Africa and the Middle East. Capitalizing on Dubai’s strategic geographical location as the gateway to countries in the region, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services will consolidate cargo from across China into Guangzhou and air freight them via Dubai to their various destinations across Africa and the Middle East, all within two or three days. “DHL Global Forwarding is bolstering logistics support to our customers in the region who need to ensure stable supply…
Pick n Pay has launched digital grocery vouchers – a safe and easy way to make sure someone you care for has access to essential items. It can also serve as a surprise to let someone know that you are thinking of them. Available through Webtickets or at any Pick n Pay Money counter, this new offering will provide a convenient way to purchase and send digital grocery vouchers. Vouchers will be available from R50 up to R1 000 and once purchased, customers can simply send the digital grocery voucher to anyone via SMS or email. The digital grocery vouchers can…
We have received numerous calls and emails from our readers asking questions about how Covi-ID app works. Yesterday, we published an article titled: Coronavirus: New App Tracks COVID-19 and Ends Need for Lockdown The app, Covi-ID, employs QR code scanning to track and trace our citizens’ health status. It operates on blockchain technology in order to ensure the privacy of all users information, offering a decentralised solution. One of the unique selling points is that even those without access to a smartphone can benefit and make use of Covi-ID. We have below an article written by Associate Professor Co-Pierre Georg…
The total number of confirmed COVID19 cases in South Africa is now 3 300. “Today we regrettably report 4 new COVID19 related deaths. “We convey our condolences to the families. Stay at home unless it’s essential. We are going through a most challenging period, but we shall overcome.” Testing Data Tests have been conducted on 121 510 patients in both the public and private sectors. The tables and graphs below confirm the significant increase in testing which is mainly attributed to the mass community screening and testing taking place in provinces. Ban on cooked hot meals gazetted Government has gazetted…
JSE-listed technology group EOH has agreed to sell R240 million worth of assets to RIB Limited and owners of LSD Information Technology (LSD). The deals are in line with EOH’s strategic intent of reducing debt and improving liquidity. EOH said on Monday it will sell its 30% stake in Construction Computer Software (CCS) to RIB. The deal is valued at R143 million. In July 2019, EOH Mthombo sold 70% of its shares in CCS to RIB. The remaining 30% shareholding in CCS was retained as EOH planned to participate in the growth of CCS through RIB’s broader distribution and development…
In response to the global COVID-19 crisis, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) is planning to manufacture face masks and medical equipment, which could be crucial in protecting South African citizens from the coronavirus. VWSA has partnered with Gusco to produce soft fabric face masks aimed at reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Following a successful trial batch, production of these masks began last week, with the goal of delivering a few thousand masks over the coming weeks in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. The idea to produce face masks stemmed from the national and global shortage of protective masks.…
Twelve police officers, including a reservist, have been arrested for allegedly violating the National Disaster Management Regulations, as well as for corruption. “The arrest of our own is both disheartening and at the same time, pleasing, in a sense that it shows that the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains unbiased, as well as that it has the capacity and the capability to decisively deal with criminality within its ranks,” National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Khehla Sitole, said on Monday. The 12 were arrested in three separate incidents at the weekend. In the first incident, five members, including a police…
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday expressed concern at the alleged theft of food parcels meant to assist distressed families and individuals during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. “A number of provinces have received reports that callous individuals, some of them allegedly government officials, are hoarding or selling food parcels earmarked for the needy and destitute, or diverting them to their friends and families,” said the President in his weekly newsletter. In the letter, the President vowed to deal with individuals harshly, should the allegations prove to be true. Like many other countries around the world, South Africa has imposed the lockdown…
MiWay is refunding millions of rands to customers stuck at home during the coronavirus lockdown. The short-term insurer said it would give back R18 million in total to customers. “The implication of the extension of the lockdown by a further two weeks is that MiWay is in a position to give an additional 7% premium discount on all motor premiums. This is consistent with the 10% discount we gave for the initial 3-week lockdown,” MiWay CEO René Otto says. “We believe the right thing to do is to pass this saving of R18 million on to our clients. This brings…
Yoco, a financial platform for small business, announced that it has launched a suite of online payment solutions for merchants to sustain their cash flow during and beyond lockdown. Known for in-person payments, enabling online payments marks a step-change for the company and its customers. “Yoco’s mission has always centred around helping small businesses thrive and supporting them is more important now than ever before. The national lockdown has had a severe impact on our merchants,” said Katlego Maphai, co-founder and CEO. “Through our platform and the results of a recent merchant survey, we have seen up to a 90%…
SA’s Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) advises mobile users that they should expect to receive educational SMS (Short Message Service) text messages to do with the current COVID-19 emergency. “Aside from expecting these messages disseminated by the country’s mobile network operators (MNOs) and wireless application service providers (WASPs), mobile consumers should also be aware that they cannot opt-out of these vital communications,” says Ilonka Badenhorst, General Manager of WASPA. Government has mandated that MNOs, in particular, should twice daily transmit educational text messages relating to combatting the current pandemic. In this regard, WASPA draws the public’s attention to Clause…
MultiChoice announced on Monday it has invested R4.5 million in Bay TV, Soweto TV and Tshwane TV. The investment is part of MultiChoice’s continued efforts to support the local video entertainment industry. Each of the selected stations will use the R1.5 million funding for the creation of fresh, new content. Towards the end of 2019, MultiChoice called on community TV stations across the country to submit original content ideas for consideration. “Through our infrastructure, technology and empowerment initiatives, we empower an entertainment supply chain which, in turn, supports local business and communities touched by our business. For community TV stations, this…
Facebook wants to take on Twitch and YouTube with a new dedicated mobile gaming app, according to a report by The Verge. The app is set to be introduced on April 20th. It will only be available on Android devices at first. The company has plans to release the app for iOS devices once “Apple approves them.” Facebook’s gaming app will largely curate and focus on the streaming community, according to The Verge. “Investing in gaming, in general, has become a priority for us because we see gaming as a form of entertainment that really connects people,” Fidji Simo, head…
As the taxi industry counts the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, intergovernmental consultations on a Taxi Industry Relief intervention are at an advanced stage. This was confirmed by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula during a virtual meeting with the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) on Sunday. “The Departments of Transport, Small Business, Labour, Trade and Competition as well as the National Treasury have agreed to support the industry and are currently looking at various modalities of assistance,” the Transport Ministry in a statement said. The meeting was to discuss the effects the COVID-19 national lockdown regulations and directions were having on the…
Correctional Services says five more officials have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing to 99 the total number of cases in Correctional Services. “The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Correctional Services has increased by five officials, thus bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 99,” the department said on Saturday. The five new cases of officials are as follows: one at Limpopo Regional Office, two in East London and two in Worcester. The total breakdown of confirmed cases at Correctional Services is as follows: Eastern Cape Officials – 31 Inmates – 56 (remains the same as previously reported) Western…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has chaired a virtual meeting of the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), which discussed measures to strengthen and intensify the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual meeting was held on Saturday, as South Africa marked day 23 of the national lockdown. On Thursday, 9 April, President Ramaphosa announced a two-week extension of the previously announced 21-day national lockdown, which is part of efforts to slow the spread of Coronavirus. The previous meeting of the PCC, which was held on 4 April 2020, assessed the effectiveness of the original 21-day lockdown period. The PCC agreed on the…
Efforts to ensure the repatriation of South Africans stranded abroad are continuing, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Saturday. “Negotiations are ongoing with countries and other stakeholders to allow stranded South Africans to travel,” said the department in a statement. The department has assured South Africans stranded abroad that no effort will be spared to ensure their repatriation amidst the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Efforts to repatriate citizens are constrained by regulations introduced to limit the movement of people globally in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. “Many countries across the world have instituted…
Transnet has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth R5.2 million as part of the national effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19. The donation from South Africa’s largest freight company comes after the government’s call for businesses and individuals to contribute to the fight against the virus. The handover of the PPE took place at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) on Saturday. Most of the donated equipment will be used at this hospital. The hospital, which offers healthcare services to people in Soweto and surrounding areas, will receive 18 500 PPE kits, including 5 000 litres of…
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has urged aviators to comply with the regulations and directions of the Disaster Management Act aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. In a statement on Saturday, the Minister appealed particularly to pilots and drone owners to comply with the regulations put in place as part of South Africa’s COVID-19 national lockdown. The Minister’s plea follows reports of a surge in the number of applications for permission to fly remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), commonly referred to as drones. “The SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) had also received a handful of requests from small private aircraft owners,…