South Africa has received medical supplies from China to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. At 7pm on Monday, 13 April, a Boeing 777 aircraft, which flew more than 24 hours from Guangzhou, China, arrived at OR Tambo International Airport with a consignment of medical supplies and equipment donated by China. The cargo is currently going through accelerated clearance, with the assistance of the South African Revenue Service. Items donated include 11 000 N95 … [Read more...] about SA receives medical supplies from China
Government
EL and St Albans Inmates test positive for COVID-19
The number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at East London Correctional facility has increased by 49 cases, says the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). “The number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at East London Correctional facility has increased by 49 cases. Overall figures will therefore reflect, 53 inmates and 25 officials (inclusive of St Albans and Head Office), thus placing DCS to a combined total of 78 cases,” said the department in a statement on … [Read more...] about EL and St Albans Inmates test positive for COVID-19
It has been 100 days
Since the first COVID-19 notification The 9th of April 2020 marked 100 days since the World Health Organisation (WHO) was notified of the first cases of “pneumonia with unknown cause” in China which would later be termed COVID-19. Since then the world has changed dramatically, said WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, on Wednesday. Giving an overview of the global efforts to fight this pandemic, Ghebreyesus mapped out a timeline of the work WHO has done in the past 100 days, and … [Read more...] about It has been 100 days
Minister condemns lockdown rules violation by motorists
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed grave concern at the increasing non-compliance with transport regulations and directions aimed at reinforcing the nation-wide lockdown announced by President Ramaphosa. At the start of the second week of the lockdown, the number of cars stopped and checked at roadblocks across the country increased from 17 559 on Monday to 29 738 on Wednesday. The number of e-hailing providers that failed to adhere to passenger limits for a vehicle … [Read more...] about Minister condemns lockdown rules violation by motorists
SABC to air school lessons
The public broadcaster and the Department of Basic Education have launched a COVID-19 learner support initiative in an effort to limit the impact of the lockdown on the school calendar. The multimedia learner support initiative, the SABC and the DBE said in a joint statement, is part of the broader efforts to prevent the total loss of the school year, since the lockdown was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Schools have been closed since 18 March 2020. The lockdown is expected to be … [Read more...] about SABC to air school lessons
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams’ pocket spanked for Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown lunch
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to apologise for breaching Coronavus COVID-19 lockdown rules President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months – one month of which will be unpaid. As to allegations that the Minister violated the lockdown regulations, the law should take its course. This follows the revelation on social media that the Minister had recently visited the home of a friend who … [Read more...] about Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams’ pocket spanked for Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown lunch
Municipalities warned against cutting water to residents
This is not the time to be punishing our people for failing to pay their water bills Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has appealed to municipalities throughout the country to refrain from abruptly cutting water supply to residents. This she said, deprives residents of their basic human right of access to clean water. The Minister’s appeal comes after the department received thousands of frantic callers complaining about municipalities who have cut off water … [Read more...] about Municipalities warned against cutting water to residents
E-schools are the future, but are traditional South African schools ready for it.
https://youtu.be/MnFkk259Ro8 NMU Centre for Community Technologies develop for schools To evaluate and assess the e-readiness of all South African government schools, the Centre for Community Technologies at Nelson Mandela University helped to develop an easy downloadable app, called the e-ready ICT maturity assessment tool. The app is an initiative of the department of science and innovation and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) with input from the department of basic education. It will … [Read more...] about E-schools are the future, but are traditional South African schools ready for it.
Respect rule of law, urge authorities
As the country enters the second week of the 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, law enforcement agencies have called on communities and various organisations to refrain from taking the law into their own hands to enforce the Disaster Management Regulations. The NatJOINTS, which comprises of various government departments, is responsible for the coordination of the COVID-19 operations, including high density policing operations, border control, route security and public … [Read more...] about Respect rule of law, urge authorities
South Africa now has nine deaths associated with COVID-19
COVID-19 cases rise to 1 585, 9 deaths South Africa now has nine deaths associated with COVID-19, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Saturday. At the same time the Minister revealed that the country’s confirmed COVID-19 cases had risen by 80 from Friday to 1585. The country has conducted 53 937 COVID-19 tests. Gauteng remains the province with the highest number of cases with 693, followed by the Western Cape with 433 cases. KwaZulu-Natal now has 232 confirmed cases of … [Read more...] about South Africa now has nine deaths associated with COVID-19
Catherine (Kate) O’Regan appointed as COVID-19 Designated Judge
Government will report on a weekly basis to the former Constitutional Court Justice the particulars of those who have been traced using cell phone data Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has appointed Justice Catherine (Kate) O'Regan as the COVID-19 Designated Judge. The move is aimed at finding the contacts of those who test positive for COVID-19. O'Regan's role is to ensure that their privacy and personal information is protected, as government works around the … [Read more...] about Catherine (Kate) O’Regan appointed as COVID-19 Designated Judge
No Evictions Please
Minister Lindiwe Sisulu appeals to municipalities and private property owners to suspend evictions during Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu has appealed to municipalities and private property owners to suspend evictions during the current lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21 day lock down as part of efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus. Minister Sisulu and … [Read more...] about No Evictions Please
Police won’t accept non-compliant donations
As police struggle with a shortage of protective and hygienic supplies for officers The South African Police Service (SAPS) turned down a sanitiser donation by Afriforum as it did not go through Treasury Regulations, said Police Minister Bheki Cele. This comes after media reports this week indicated the SAPS in Gauteng had refused to accept a donation of hand sanitisers from the organisation. While this was a leaked official and internal correspondence, the Police Minister believes it was … [Read more...] about Police won’t accept non-compliant donations
President Cyril Ramaphosa – Full Address on Day 4
R2.5 Billion Added to Fund, Field Workers to Screen in Homes My Fellow South Africans, Good evening, It is now four days since our country went into a nationwide lockdown for the first time in the history of our democracy. This is an extreme measure we had to embark upon in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As government, we are aware that the lockdown has caused great disruption to all our lives and caused upheaval in our economy. But we all know and agree that this nationwide … [Read more...] about President Cyril Ramaphosa – Full Address on Day 4
Call for donations of personal protective equipment
Business for South Africa’s Public Health Workgroup is calling on all companies, especially those in lockdown, to urgently divert their stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in the national healthcare sector. The PPE is critically needed to protect frontline doctors and healthcare workers and to keep them healthy in their fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We appeal to all South African businesses, whether large or small, to unlock their stocks in the best … [Read more...] about Call for donations of personal protective equipment
