Government

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has assured social grant beneficiaries that SASSA cards will not stop working on 31 March 2021. This comes after social media misinformation and claims that SASSA-SAPO [South African Post office] cards will expire on 31 March 2021. SASSA has refuted the claims. “These claims are not true. The cards will have to be replaced, as indicated by the South African Reserve Bank report, but there is no set date by which this must be done,” SASSA … [Read more...] about SASSA cards remain valid beyond March 2021

South Africa saw a marked decline in rhino poaching during 2020, with the killing of rhino declining by 33%. “While the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the battle to beat the COVID-19 pandemic contributed in part to the decrease in rhino poaching in 2020, the role of rangers and security personnel who remained at their posts, and the additional steps taken by government to effectively deal with these and related offences, also played a significant role,” said Environment, Forestry and … [Read more...] about Rhino poaching declines in 2020

SA records 4 525 more COVID-19 cases South Africa has recorded 1 453 761 COVID-19 cases, with 4 525 new cases identified as of Sunday evening. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said that the cumulative total of tests conducted to date is 8 279 200, with 34 076 new tests recorded since the last report on Sunday. “Our recoveries now stand at 1 299 620, representing a recovery rate of 89%,” Mkhize said. Unfortunately, Mkhize reported 213 more COVID-19 related deaths, … [Read more...] about EC on Top Again

The MEC for Cogta in the Eastern Cape Hon.Xolile Nqatha has conveyed his congratulations to the councillors of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality for having complied with the court order to convene a council meeting to elect an Executive Mayor. On the 19th of January 2021 the Port Elizabeth High Court declared that: The election of executive mayor was inconsistent with the constitution of the Republic of South Africa and is invalid. The election of acting speaker was inconsistent … [Read more...] about Congratulations Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

The Electoral Commission says it has begun its final phase of preparations to implement the Political Party Funding Act (Act 6 of 2018) from 1 April 2021. This follows the announcement last week by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the coming into effect of the Act from that date. The Electoral Commission welcomed the date of implementation, which coincides with the start of the new financial year within the public sector and for political parties. The Electoral Commission has called on all … [Read more...] about IEC to implement Political Party Funding Act

SA COVID-19 death toll tops 43 000 COVID-19 has now killed more than 43 000 people in South Africa after 555 more patients succumbed to the respiratory disease on Thursday. According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, 249 fatalities were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, 150 in the Eastern Cape, 70 in Gauteng, 45 in the Western Cape, 21 in Mpumalanga and 10 in Free State. Seven were recorded in Limpopo and three in the Northern Cape, which pushes the death toll to 43 105. “We convey … [Read more...] about EC Powers to Second

EDITOR: Confused much? See: Ivermectin approved for controlled human use The Department of Health has discouraged the use of Ivermectin vaccine for management of COVID-19, until the study on its efficacy and safety is concluded. In a statement on Thursday, department spokesperson Popo Maja said that the National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) COVID-19 Sub-Committee has carefully considered all available evidence on the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 with … [Read more...] about Health Department discourages use of Ivermectin for COVID-19

Nqaba Bhanga A court mandated Special Coucil Meeting took place today. Held virtually and in 6 venues across the metro the meeting scheduled to start at 10:00 am this morning eventually stuttered to a start just after 1:00 pm. The two candidates were Nqaba Bhanga representing the DA and Coalition Partners COPE and ACDP - with 59 votes and the EFF's Amandlangawethu Madaka backed by the ANC, PA and Eff - with 56 votes. The remaining 4 votes up for grabs were shared between the UF, UDM and … [Read more...] about And Nelson Mandela Bay’s Executive Mayor for 28 January 2021 is…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has extended the filing season deadline for provisional taxpayers from 29 January to 15 February. In a statement, the revenue collector said the decision was based on the unprecedented health challenge of COVID-19. “In line with SARS’ communication on steps taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect both the taxpayers and SARS staff, taxpayers are encouraged to use eFililng or the SARS MobiAp,” SARS said on Thursday. In the statement, … [Read more...] about Provisional tax filing season deadline extended

SA COVID-19 deaths surpass the 42 000 mark South Africa has recorded a further 753 deaths due to complications related to the Coronavirus, which takes the death toll to 42 550 since the outbreak. KwaZulu-Natal reported the highest number of recent fatalities at 261. The province is followed by Limpopo, which recorded 219 patients who died due to COVID-19. However, according to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the province’s spike in deaths is due to its continued audits of fatalities … [Read more...] about EC Last

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has confirmed the long-awaited news that the first consignment of one million COVID-19 vaccines is expected to land on South African shores on Monday. The first batch is scheduled to leave India on Sunday, 31 January, and arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on 1 February 2021. The Minister broke the news during a public health webinar on COVID-19 vaccine inoculation on Wednesday evening. “After the arrival of the vaccine, they will undergo … [Read more...] about First batch of COVID-19 vaccines expected to arrive in SA on Monday

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has instructed HIGHER HEALTH to create a Post School Education and Training (PSET) strategy that is aligned with, and supports the Health Department’s phased national strategy and coordinate its subsequent roll out of COVID-19 vaccines. “The strategy will help to ensure access to vaccination for our students and staff, of which priority for inclusion in the Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout programme are our frontline campus … [Read more...] about HIGHER HEALTH to create strategy to support vaccine roll out

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has given the green light for the controlled use of Ivermectin for humans. This comes after the authority earlier this month warned the public against the use of the drug, as it was not confirmed for COVID-19 infection management. At the time, SAHPRA said this was because there was no available confirmatory data on Ivermectin for its use in the management of COVID-19 infections. However, on Wednesday, during a virtual press … [Read more...] about Ivermectin approved for controlled human use

SA records 6 042 new COVID-19 cases, 680 deaths Deaths continue to rise in South Africa, with 680 more people who lost their lives to COVID-19 related complications on Tuesday. Of the recent fatalities, 306 occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, while 141 were recorded in Gauteng, 95 in the Western Cape, 28 in Free State and 18 in Mpumalanga. In addition, two provinces had single-digit deaths, of which four are from Limpopo and two from the Northern Cape, pushing the death toll to 41 … [Read more...] about EC Has Highest Death Toll