COVID-19: Over 7 000 police test positive Over 7 000 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have tested positive for COVID-19, Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Wednesday. “COVID-19 has been costly when it comes to the SAPS. Up to this point, we have 7 021 that have tested positive but we are glad to say that 2 021 recoveries have been made,” said the Minster. Responding to a question during the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster media briefing on … [Read more...] about Over 7 000 SAPS Members test positive
COVID-19
Tourism Minister admits allegiance to the ANC trumps interests of South Africans
Dear MyPE At a meeting of Parliament’s Tourism Portfolio Committee this week, the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, exposed herself by essentially admitting that she puts the interests of the ANC above the interests of South Africans. While discussing the regulations that are currently decimating the tourism sector, the Minister explained that there must be no ambiguity with regards her unequivocal support for Government. The Minister explained that she would always support … [Read more...] about Tourism Minister admits allegiance to the ANC trumps interests of South Africans
EC Health MEC must be fired
Sindiswa Gomba tries to shift blame for 'Scooter Scandal', again Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for urgent intervention in the Eastern Cape health crisis. The Health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba, should be fired with immediate effect, and her Department should be put under administration. MEC Gomba has once again tried to shift the blame for her own and her Department’s failings, going as far as blaming apartheid for the “Scooter Scandal”. There should be no doubt that apartheid … [Read more...] about EC Health MEC must be fired
Grave concerns as Covid-19 sweeps through Nelson Mandela Bay
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is ill equipped to deal with the tragic increases in death rates due to the Covid-19 pandemic, because the uncaring ANC-led coalition of corruption government has failed to put plans in place. As a result, mortuaries are overflowing and cemeteries in the Metro are already at 60% of capacity. Undertakers and other stakeholders have raised concerns with the Metro’s inability to deal with the current crisis, frequently changing policies … [Read more...] about Grave concerns as Covid-19 sweeps through Nelson Mandela Bay
The Devastating Kak that Tourism Accommodation Owners Find Themselves in
Without a normal income for 16 months it could take Tourism Accommodation Owners two years or more to recover Let's explain the massive loss to the tourism industry in simple math: Assumptions: We have a Guest House with 8 rooms - each room sells at R880.00 per night and the occupancy levels prior to Lockdown were at 80%, giving us a monthly turnover of R165 500.00 Our costs were in the region of R140 000 per month, leaving us with R25 000.00 'profit' per month During Lockdown our costs … [Read more...] about The Devastating Kak that Tourism Accommodation Owners Find Themselves in
COVID-19 Hotspots Increase in NMBM
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has seen a concerning growth in COVID-19 hotspots within the City. This comes after more positive cases were confirmed in most parts of the City highlighting Zwide and New Brighton as the new worrying areas as they have passed the 500 mark. As at 11 July 2020, Motherwell remained the leading area with COVID-19 cases as 1753 cases were confirmed in the area. Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle followed closely at 957 and 955 respectively. KwaZakhele had 906 … [Read more...] about COVID-19 Hotspots Increase in NMBM
UIF tightens TERS payment controls
In an effort to eliminate the risk of criminals exploiting the COVID-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has introduced new stringent controls to verify banking details of recipients. This comes after the Fund was in recent weeks exposed to opportunistic elements. Due to the introduction of the new safety and security changes, the Fund has had to delay payments. “However, over the weekend, it resumed payments and disbursed R 372 million of COVID-19 … [Read more...] about UIF tightens TERS payment controls
Thumbs up for alcohol ban
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement to reinstate a ban on alcohol sales in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is reflective of an increased number of trauma cases seen in hospitals. “It’s a decision that I don’t think he’s taken lightly. It’s a decision that was reflective of what we have been seeing in the last few days. Unfortunately if you look at the various levels of lockdown under level 5, our trauma units were nice and quiet. Under level 4, it was around 20% of the user volumes to … [Read more...] about Thumbs up for alcohol ban
Statement By President Cyril Ramaphosa On Progress In The National Effort To Contain The Covid-19 Pandemic
12 July 2020 Union Buildings, Tshwane My Fellow South Africans, This evening, as I stand here before you, our nation is confronted by the gravest crisis in the history of our democracy. For more than 120 days, we have succeeded in delaying the spread of a virus that is causing devastation across the globe. We delayed the spread of the virus by working together and by maintaining our resolve. But now, the surge in infections that we had been advised by our medical experts would come, … [Read more...] about Statement By President Cyril Ramaphosa On Progress In The National Effort To Contain The Covid-19 Pandemic
Recovery of the tourism industry will depend on how travel ready authorities are
Opening tourism industry must be under strict conditions Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has reiterated that while easing the COVID-19 lockdown regulations in the tourism sector is aimed at assisting businesses, it has to be done under strict conditions to curb the further spread of the virus. Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Tourism on Thursday, Kubayi-Ngubane said the department’s focus is on supporting domestic tourism as the first point of recovery. “The recovery of … [Read more...] about Recovery of the tourism industry will depend on how travel ready authorities are
Understatement of the day
Eastern Cape Scooters are not suitable ambulances Dear MyPE In a reply to a parliamentary question posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on the suitability of the ‘Scooter Ambulances’ as a form of patient transport, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has confirmed that these scooters do not meet the basic Emergency Medical Services (EMS) regulations. The reply goes on further to state that these R10 million glorified wheelbarrows which have been procured with public money will … [Read more...] about Understatement of the day
Journalists get a R500 000 Lifeline
n response to the current challenges facing the South African media industry, FirstRand is contributing half a million rand to assist journalists financially impacted by COVID-19, through the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) Media Relief Fund. This forms part of the group’s wide-ranging COVID-19 relief measures and the R500 000 is made up of contributions from FirstRand and its operating businesses: FNB, RMB, WesBank and Ashburton Investments. The group believes that the … [Read more...] about Journalists get a R500 000 Lifeline
Rapid spread of COVID-19 in KwaZakhele and Uitenhage
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Acting Mayor Councillor Thsonono Buyeye has cautioned residents about the rapid spread of COVID-19 which has claimed 136 lives in the City. This comes after recent statistics highlighted the increase in COVID-19 cases in KwaZakhele. The township recorded a total of 674 cases by 4 July 2020, following the other concerning hotspots in the City; Uitenhage with 706 cases, KwaNobuhle with 704 cases and Motherwell still leading with 1305 cases. Mayor Buyeye … [Read more...] about Rapid spread of COVID-19 in KwaZakhele and Uitenhage
Delays in delivering account statements
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality would like to inform customers that due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the Revenue Management and Customer Care office could not issue statements to account holders. This was during the period from April to June 2020, however customers registered to receive monthly emailed statements did receive statements during the period 26 March to 9 June 2020 before the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) services went down. The May and June 2020 statements will be … [Read more...] about Delays in delivering account statements
Another civilian dies at the hands of SANDF
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the SANDF member who allegedly gunned down a 37-year-old man in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, over the weekend to be held fully accountable for his actions. The DA calls on the SANDF to suspend this soldier, pending investigations into the matter. We note that details about this incident are still unclear and that the allegation by the SANDF that the victim was armed is being refuted by his family. However, we have long held the view that … [Read more...] about Another civilian dies at the hands of SANDF
