Live hard, drive fast, die young and be a good looking corpse is not something we all espouse. Most of us want to live a good life and leave a legacy. For most of us that legacy is in leaving a pile of cash to show our survivors 'something'. Our COVID-19 deaths can all claim some form of martyrdom AND the 'dubious' legacy of costing us piles of money that we as a country will be paying back for the rest of our lives. Consider that he coronavirus has claimed 10 621 South African lives from … [Read more...] about R22 Million per Death (Conservatively)
COVID-19
Involve Civil Society in investigations of Covid-19 corruption
Inter-ministerial committee welcomed, but little faith that government can investigate itself The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) says it is time for the introduction of substantive and meaningful change and new mechanisms in the fight against corruption. “Covid-19 served to highlight the cracks in our governance systems, giving rise to even more shocking layers of corruption than society became accustomed to,” says Wayne Duvenage, OUTA’s CEO. “How can anyone live with themselves when … [Read more...] about Involve Civil Society in investigations of Covid-19 corruption
SA records 8 307 new COVID-19 cases
As of Thursday, South Africa recorded 8 307 new cases and 306 more COVID-19 related deaths. Of the additional fatalities, 78 are in KwaZulu-Natal, 75 in Gauteng, 66 in the Eastern Cape, 46 in the Western Cape, 23 in the Free State and 18 in the Northern Cape. This brings the death toll to 9 604, while 538 184 people contracted the virus since the first case reported on 5 March. “The number of recoveries currently stands at 387 316, which translates to a recovery rate of 72%,” Health … [Read more...] about SA records 8 307 new COVID-19 cases
Government committed to dealing with corruption
Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to building a capable, ethical and developmental state as allegations of corruption related to funds associated with the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic have surfaced. “It supports the recent call by President Cyril Ramaphosa for law-enforcement agencies to do whatever they can to arrest those involved in corruption, irrespective of who they are and ensure they recover the looted funds,” said Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald … [Read more...] about Government committed to dealing with corruption
Ramaphosa on Corruption During Lockdown
Editor - Just yesterday I was casting my cynical aspersions on just how corruption in South Africa is "solved" by our ruling elite: 'Comrades' rape the fiscus Public points out the raping and pillaging Pillaging is denied whilst the 'Johnny Come Latelies' enter the fray and suck gravy The 'person who is most trusted' (in this time, President Ramaphosa) tells us that this heinous crime will be stopped Crimes are investigated and committees established to investigate The … [Read more...] about Ramaphosa on Corruption During Lockdown
Municipalities held to account over mismanagement
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has resolved to call all municipalities and provincial governments to appear before the committee in order to deal decisively with corruption and mismanagement of municipalities. Committee chairperson Faith Muthambi said the committee will start with municipalities whose executive leaders currently serve on the national leadership of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Muthambi emphasised … [Read more...] about Municipalities held to account over mismanagement
National Treasury halts emergency procurement of PPE
National Treasury Director-General Dondo Mogajane says an instruction will be issued to government departments across all spheres to halt the emergency procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) as the State tightens the lid against corruption. At a joint virtual meeting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces Finance Committees on Wednesday, Mogajane said the demand and supply of PPE had somewhat eased compared to the early stages of the outbreak. “[PPE is] … [Read more...] about National Treasury halts emergency procurement of PPE
Tourism announces beneficiaries of Tourism Relief Fund
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has made public the list of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) who benefited through the much-needed Tourism Relief Funding. The R200 million Tourism Relief Funding has successfully supported 4 000 businesses that were negatively affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “Many of the business have utilised the fund to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure costs items,” said the … [Read more...] about Tourism announces beneficiaries of Tourism Relief Fund
Inside Port Elizabeth’s COVID-19 Testing Facility
https://youtu.be/6SlDGawcEi8 After the handover of R10 Million of Coronavirus PPE Equipment to the National Health Laboratory Services in Buckingham Road, Port Elizabeth selected people were allowed a quick tour of the facility where testing takes place. See: http://mype.co.za/new/protective-equipment-handed-over-to-department-of-health-for-frontline-workers-at-hospitals-and-clinics/137217/2020/08/ for more info. The VWSA driven donation included: 50 000 N95 personalised masks … [Read more...] about Inside Port Elizabeth’s COVID-19 Testing Facility
Workplace bullying and sick leave during COVID-19
If your workplace has turned rather hostile due to COVID-19 panic, you’re not alone. Although sickness in the workplace is not uncommon, the strict guidelines in place to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and constant news updates on the spread of the disease, can make people hyper-aware and even suspicious of their co-workers’ health. Gawie Cillié, employment relations expert and lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), says the alarming rate of infections could … [Read more...] about Workplace bullying and sick leave during COVID-19
Urgent answers sought over SANDF medical supply donations to Cuban government
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Department of Defense and Military Veterans to clarify the South African Defense Force (SANDF) donations of “medical material supplies” to the Cuban government. The ANC government has yet again used millions in public money to seemingly benefit the Cuban government. At the beginning of South Africa’s Covid-19 emergency relief efforts, it came to light that the government would fork out almost half a billion on Cuban doctors to assist in … [Read more...] about Urgent answers sought over SANDF medical supply donations to Cuban government
Protective equipment handed over to Department of Health for frontline workers at hospitals and clinics
VWSA assists NHLS to boost testing capacity in the Metro Thomas Schaefer - the new Global CEO for SKODA Auto Port Elizabeth - To better equip the healthcare facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has provided protective gear to the provincial Department of Health for frontline workers at healthcare institutions across the metro. The personal protective equipment (PPE), which was handed over to Department today, … [Read more...] about Protective equipment handed over to Department of Health for frontline workers at hospitals and clinics
SA records less than 6 000 new COVID-19 cases
South Africa now has 516 862 COVID-19 cases, after 5 378 new infections were identified on Tuesday. The number of new cases shows a slight decline since 23 June 2020 when the country recorded 4 523 new infections. However, 173 more fatalities have been reported, pushing the death toll to 8 539 since the outbreak. Of the new deaths, 45 are from Mpumalanga, 37 from Gauteng, 31 from the Western Cape, 28 from the North West, 20 from the Eastern Cape and 12 from KwaZulu-Natal. “We convey … [Read more...] about SA records less than 6 000 new COVID-19 cases
Covid-19 Sports, Arts and Culture relief fund applications reopened
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pleased by the announcement by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, that his Department will open a second wave of applications to the Covid-19 Relief Fund for Arts and Sports and that plans are in place to make payments to beneficiaries. According to the Minister, the relief is set at R2 200 per month, from September to November 2020. This is a welcome development, one that the DA has been calling for, and one which will … [Read more...] about Covid-19 Sports, Arts and Culture relief fund applications reopened
Ban on travel for hunting is without sense
Dear MyPE This week’s ban on cross-provincial travel for the purposes of hunting, and the ban on hunting overnight within provinces are huge blows to the game ranching industry. It makes little sense. Hunting is an activity that requires very little close human contact. It can only be done in small groups. It takes place in the outdoors. These are precisely the conditions which are not conducive to the spread of Covid-19. To allow hunting would be to say yes to an area of economic … [Read more...] about Ban on travel for hunting is without sense
