As the country’s COVID-19 cases surpasses the 150 000 mark, President Cyril Ramaphosa will host a virtual Presidential Imbizo on Coronavirus where you can engage him. By calling the community radio toll free line on 0800 142 446 or using #PresidentialImbizo on social media, citizens across the country can submit their questions on the Coronavirus and its impact directly to President Ramaphosa. The Presidential Imbizo, which will take place at 18:00 on Wednesday 1 July 2020, is a … [Read more...] about Today – 1 July 2020: Air your concerns on Coronavirus at virtual Presidential Imbizo
COVID-19
Renewed hope for rejected R350 grant applications
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is reassessing rejected applications for the COVID-19 R350 grant, which is meant to help those who are unemployed and receiving no other assistance. The agency believes it is wise to reassess applications before subjecting them to an appeal process, which comes at a cost and delays. SASSA said it is treating the issue as a matter of urgency, as it pushes to help the poor, who have been hit hard by the national lockdown. Last month, … [Read more...] about Renewed hope for rejected R350 grant applications
Over 4 000 parolees released to; “Make social distancing possible”
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola says 4 138 low risk offenders have been released on parole to ease prison population figures to minimise the risk of Coronavirus spreading in correctional centres. Lamola said this when Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster fielded questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday. “Yes, minimum progress has been made due to the processes to be followed when releasing sentenced offenders on … [Read more...] about Over 4 000 parolees released to; “Make social distancing possible”
10 700 COVID-19 patients hospitalised since March
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has urged the elderly and those living with comorbidities to take extra precaution, avoid leaving home and ensure their chronic conditions are managed. Citing the National Institute for Communicable Diseases’ report released on 21 June, Mkhize said it confirmed that these population groups are most vulnerable. “This report brings all these issues home and gives us a sense of the burden we have faced, how the system has coped and marries these lessons to … [Read more...] about 10 700 COVID-19 patients hospitalised since March
SA’s COVID-19 cases surpass 150 000 and 128 more deaths reported
South Africa recorded its deadliest 24 hours since the Coronavirus outbreak, after 128 people succumbed to COVID-19 on Tuesday. Of the new deaths, 52 are from the Western Cape, 36 from Gauteng, 25 from the Eastern Cape, 11 from KwaZulu-Natal and four from Mpumalanga, bringing the death toll to 2 657. The number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 6 945 as the infection rate rose to 151 209, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said. The Western Cape is the hardest-hit province, with 62 … [Read more...] about SA’s COVID-19 cases surpass 150 000 and 128 more deaths reported
COVID-19 permits illegally issued to Informal Traders
It has come to the Municipality’s attention that the COVID-19 permits that were issued to informal traders and Spaza shop owners during the lockdown have been reproduced and that the fake permits are being sold to businesses. The Municipality would like to distance itself from the illegal sale of permits and wishes to emphasise that it issued these Informal Trading permits free of charge. The Municipality would like to communicate the following to the public: 1. These permits were … [Read more...] about COVID-19 permits illegally issued to Informal Traders
NMBM traffic and licensing services shutdown due to COVID-19
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality would like to inform residents about the closure of the Korsten driving licence testing centre after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The employee, a security guard, was last present at work on Thursday after falling ill and taking the COVID-19 test on the same day. As a safety precaution NBMB has closed down the Korsten centre as all 39 staff members are now in quarantine. We regret to inform the residents that traffic services … [Read more...] about NMBM traffic and licensing services shutdown due to COVID-19
Department of Health fails Fort England Covid-19 response
Dear MyPE The Fort England Psychiatric Hospital, in Makhanda, has a full 40 bed unit to accommodate patients who test positive for Covid-19, but not a single professional nurse to work in it. This was revealed in an oversight visit conducted by myself and my colleague, Shadow Minister of Health Siviwe Gwarube, MP, from the National Assembly. The hospital management has made an impressive effort to rearrange the space available to create a 40 bed unit, with separate wards for males and … [Read more...] about Department of Health fails Fort England Covid-19 response
Calls for reopening of Sport, Arts and Culture Relief Fund applications and transparency on remaining funds
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, to reopen the application process for the R150 million Sport, Arts and Culture Relief Fund. As on 30 May 2020, the Minister confirmed that around 2 000 athletes and artists had been successful in applying for relief funding and that funds had either already been disbursed or were in the process thereof. If only around 2 000 applicants had been successful, at a cap of R20 000 per … [Read more...] about Calls for reopening of Sport, Arts and Culture Relief Fund applications and transparency on remaining funds
Katekani Ngobeni places lives first
It no secret that healthcare workers are at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but how do we ensure their safety? It has been widely reported that the country has been facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the last few months. This equipment is crucial for healthcare workers to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19 while attending to patients. Many sectors of society, including business, responded to the shortage by donating PPE equipment … [Read more...] about Katekani Ngobeni places lives first
COVID-19 cases shoot up, Gauteng emerges as epicentre
Officials deployed to East Cape South Africa’s COVID-19 cases are on a sharp and steady increase with 6 130 new cases reported on Monday, bringing the total number to 144 264. A further 73 COVID-19 related deaths were reported, bringing the total to 2 529. Of the 73 new deaths reported, 1 was from Mpumalanga, 5 from Limpopo, 2 from North West, 6 from Gauteng, 10 from the Eastern Cape, 6 from KwaZulu-Natal and 43 from the Western Cape. “The numbers are picking up and the surge is on the … [Read more...] about COVID-19 cases shoot up, Gauteng emerges as epicentre
Combined Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle COVID-19 infections more than Motherwell’s
While Motherwell has been leading as a hotspot for COVID-19 confirmed cases in the City, latest statistics in NMBM show that Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle are fast catching up and together have recorded more confirmed cases than Motherwell. As at 22 June Motherwell had 547 confirmed cases while Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle recorded 306 and 266 confirmed cases respectively. Combined the two areas recorded 572 cases. COVID-19 Disaster Management Forum chairperson Shane Brown said: "We have a newly … [Read more...] about Combined Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle COVID-19 infections more than Motherwell’s
Football to resume under strict conditions
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has approved plans for the resumption of football. “The plans of the Premier Soccer League have been approved, considering the mitigation strategies and plans in relation to the level 3 risk adjusted strategy in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said on Wednesday. The plans have further been subject to analysis by health authorities and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), who have … [Read more...] about Football to resume under strict conditions
Safety first as more grades reopen on 6 July
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has once again put a spotlight on safety in schools as the other grades prepare to go back to class on 6 July. Schools have been closed since the lockdown was instituted in March to curb the spread of Coronavirus. Schools partially reopened on 8 June for grades 7 and 12. However, DBE has since issued a set of directions, signed by Minister Angie Motshekga, to provide clarity and guidance on a variety of matters affecting the sector. The guidelines … [Read more...] about Safety first as more grades reopen on 6 July
Government spends R17m on quarantine sites
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille says government has so far spent R17 million to procure quarantine sites. Responding to a question when Ministers in the Economic Cluster fielded oral questions in the National Assembly, De Lille said there was a need to find a bigger balance between finding private and public sites for quarantine purposes. “The private sites that we are currently using and have procured are the rate that National Treasury has negotiated with the … [Read more...] about Government spends R17m on quarantine sites
