Author: Staff Writer
Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged religious leaders and congregants to stay at home as the country continues to observe the COVID-19 lockdown. The Minister’s comments follow a video clip that surfaced on Twitter depicting the arrest of 17 congregants, who had allegedly gathered for prayer in Pretoria West on Friday. The Ministry in a statement said the congregants were in direct violation of the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations. Cele also condemned a video clip making rounds on social media of a man calling “all Muslims to engage in worship in the congregation”. According to the Ministry, the same…
As South African parents wait to hear what will become of this school year from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga tomorrow, a major concern for most of them will be the fear of their children contracting the disease once back at school. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the early closure of schools during the first term. 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. “The data we have from China shows that this disease is quite mild in children, and actually very…
South Africans, who are suffering the aftermath of the national lockdown implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, are gatvol. This is according to research done by Victory Research for City Press. 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. The report by Victory Research revealed that while “strong” support for the lockdown was at 77% when the measure was initially announced on March…
Bank Zero, a start-up by mostly former First National Bank (FNB) staffers chaired by venture capitalist Michael Jordaan, is planning a mid-2020 controlled launch. The digital bank had initially planned to launch eight months ago. Today, Bank Zero – which is set to compete with fellow newcomers TymeBank and Discovery Bank – revealed to the Sunday Times that it is “really not focused on any competitor out there” but “rather the team is building a great mobile customer experience with a range of globally unique features.” “So, the focus is on customers, including businesses, not on competitors,” said Jordan. In…
A call has been made for South Africans to support locally made products as part of efforts to jump-start the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa is preparing to move to level 4 of a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 which has gripped the entire world. Speaking at a media briefing detailing how the country intends to move from the current level 5 lockdown which is expected to end at the end of April, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel made the call for citizens to buy locally. “When we as…
About 1.5 million more South Africans will from 1 May return to work as the government begins to lift a fraction of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. This comes as the government gradually eases the economy back into activity, as announced this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The regulations were introduced last month as the government sought to counter the spread in the country. About 3, 400 South Africans have contracted the virus, while about 70 have died. Trade, Industry and Commission Minister Ebrahim Patel presented the details contained in the Risk-Adjusted Strategy, which is out for public comment and consultation. During…
With the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa projected to peak around August, Gauteng – the country’s epicentre with 1 252 cases to date – is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations to fight the scourge. On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a visit to the sites identified as COVID-19 facilities in Gauteng. These include the quarantine facility at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg Central Food Bank and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. The President expressed confidence in the province’s efforts to ramp up its hospital bed capacity, screening efforts and measures to mitigate the socio-economic blow of the virus on…
Over the next month, the state will shift its response to the COVID-19 pandemic by preserving the economy, developing immediate recovery plans and pivoting the economy in a position of growth. This was revealed by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni on Friday during a press briefing in which he outlined a R500 billion economic support package. The package was initially unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa during an address to the nation on Tuesday. In May, the government will focus on three phases. The first phase, which the state is currently in, aims to preserve the country’s economy. “It is designed to…
As of today, there are 318 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa, bringing the total number of cases to 3953. Today we regrettably report 10 new deaths. This brings the total to 75. The new deaths are from the following provinces: Western Cape: 6 KZN: 2 Gauteng: 1 Eastern Cape: 1 “We convey our condolences to the families and friends. Preventing COVID-19 from spreading is everybody’s job.” As of Thursday, the Western Cape surpassed Gauteng’s confirmed cases and now has the highest number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country. “A further analysis is being done as we…
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued a directive to all mining operations to ensure safe start-up procedures as the sector prepares to ramp up to 50% of capacity. “The directive was issued to ensure compliance with Section 5(1) of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act No. 29 of 1996), as amended, which requires that every employer must as far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a safe working environment,” the department said. The start-up procedures must also address measures to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as actions to provide a safe…