COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES | Four new Covid-19 deaths, toll rises to 79

April 24 2020 - 20:59

Sadtu calls for strict health protocols before pupils, teachers return to school

The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has called on the departments of basic eduction and higher education to provide temperature scanners to screen pupils and students when schools and tertiary institutions reopen.

Sadtu urged the departments to comply with a host of minimum requirements at least two weeks before the institutions reopen.

April 24 2020 - 20:56

Covid-19 infections rise to 4,220 across SA

The health ministry confirmed an additional 267 new Covid-19 cases in the country on Friday evening, taking the total number of confirmed cases nationally to 4,220.

“We regrettably report four new deaths. This brings the total to 79,” said the ministry.

April 24 2020 - 19:51

Treasury has responsibility to help Land Bank function, says Mboweni

It is the responsibility of the National Treasury to do whatever it can to support the Land Bank.

Finance minister Tito Mboweni said this on Friday after reports that the bank had warned those holding R50bn of its bonds that it was in default after failing to pay its obligations this week.

April 24 2020 - 19:45

'We are staying put': group that occupied old age home in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town has tried to draw those living on the streets to its controversial temporary shelter in Strandfontein amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

But, a group of 60 people who occupied an empty old age home and are now living on the pavement outside the home in the shadow of Groote Schuur Hospital, told TimesLIVE they are going to stay put in their roadside tents.

April 24 2020 - 19:27

Family of man 'killed by soldiers' in Alex turn to Pretoria high court for justice

The Khosa family are heading to the high court after their application for direct access to the Constitutional Court was dismissed on Friday.

In its ruling, the apex court said it “had considered this application for direct access to the court on an urgent basis. It has concluded that the application should be dismissed as it is not in the interests of justice to hear, as there is insufficient grounds raised for direct access to this court. There is no order as to costs.”

April 24 2020 - 19:11

SA’s biggest clothing retailers and landlords don't see eye to eye on paying rent under lockdown

SA’s biggest clothing retailers and landlords are no nearer to reaching an agreement on the amount of rent that should be paid during lockdown, with shopping centre owners on Friday rejecting a counter proposal that had been put on the table.

Retailers and landlords have been locked in discussions for weeks now over rent.

April 24 2020 - 18:58

Here's how Uber, local groups are helping GBV victims during lockdown

The scourge of gender-based violence across the world during the coronavirus pandemic has forged partnerships to help victims.

E-hailing service Uber said on Thursday said it had joined hands with organisations and governments in 16 countries.

April 24 2020 - 18:16

'There is going to be a new way of doing things': Mboweni on business after lockdown

Finance minister Tito Mboweni said on Friday that businesses hoping to open and thrive post the coronavirus lockdown should consider amending their labour market policies to favour unemployed South Africans.

Spelling out how government's R500bn relief fund aimed at helping vulnerable South Africans, businesses and the economy would be used, he said things had changed over the last two decades and the country's unemployed workers were being left behind.

April 24 2020 - 17:52

ANC MPs contribute R5.3m to solidarity fund

The ANC's parliamentary caucus will contribute just over R5.3m to the solidarity fund established to fight Covid-19.

The governing party's caucus held its first virtual meeting on Friday where it decided that its ordinary MPs would each contribute 10% of their salaries to the fund for three months. Members of President Cyril Ramaphosa's executive and parliament's presiding officers announced last week that they would be contributing a third of their salaries for the same period to the fund.

April 24 2020 - 17:40

WhatsApp comparing Mnangagwa to Ramaphosa sees man charged for insulting president

An MDC Alliance politician has been charged for insulting and undermining Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s efforts to fight Covid-19 by comparing him to his SA counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Chrispen Rambu, a councillor for Ward 8 in Chipinge, was summoned by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to a police station where he was charged with insulting and undermining the authority of Mnangagwa as defined in section 33 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

April 24 2020 - 17:26

Dlamini-Zuma faces challenge over threat to lock up infected people

Court action is looming over government’s threat to “lock up” people who do not co-operate with with Covid-19 screening and testing.

The Legal Resources Centre, acting on behalf of the Poor Flat Dwellers Movement, has placed government on terms to immediately clarify comments by politicians that people will be detained for “lengthy periods” should they buck the law.

The centre, in a written demand to co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said not only was this unconstitutional, but it was also unlawful in terms of the present disaster regulations.

April 24 2020 - 17:14

April 24 2020 - 16:57

Clicks temporarily shuts store after staffer tests positive for virus in Ceres

Clicks has temporarily closed a store in Ceres in the Western Cape after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

Sedick Arendse, chief store operations officer, confirmed the closure on Thursday.

April 24 2020 - 16:49

April 24 2020 - 16:42

Khayelitsha cases grow as three more die in Western Cape

The Covid-19 death toll in the Western Cape has reached 28, and Khayelitsha is now home to 11% of Cape Town's infections.

Three new fatalities were announced on Friday by premier Alan Winde. He said the victims — two women, aged 76 and 44, and a man of 31 — all had “significant comorbidities”.

He said 1,314 confirmed cases of Covid-19 had been recorded in the Western Cape by 5pm on Thursday.

April 24 2020 - 16:33

April 24 2020 - 16:14

Mboweni gives clarity on social grant top-ups that will end in six months

Finance minister Tito Mboweni on Friday shed more light on the top-ups that will be given to social grant beneficiaries during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mboweni said each child registered with the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) would receive an additional R300 in May.

“From June we'll change the way the system works a little. From June to October caregivers — typically mothers — will get an additional R500 each month,” he said.

April 24 2020 - 15:47

Tito Mboweni says more than R76bn available from IMF and World Bank

Finance minister Tito Mboweni said on Friday there was more than $4bn (R76bn) available from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to help SA fight the Covid-19 crisis.

April 24 2020 - 15:33

Calls for footballers to wear masks if Bundesliga returns

Germany's ministry of labour wants footballers to wear masks as protection against the coronavirus if Angela Merkel's government gives the green light for the Bundesliga to return next month.

The German Football League (DFL) confirmed Thursday that they are ready for the Bundesliga to resume from May 9, albeit without fans in stadiums and with strict player hygiene measures in place.

April 24 2020 - 15:21

Covid-19 funds will 'not end up in wrong pockets': Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa said he does not want to have to establish a Covid-19 commission of inquiry into the misuse of funds allocated to fighting the pandemic once the crisis is over.

Instead, the president said government wants to be proactive in ensuring money allocated to help SA's most vulnerable does not end up in the pockets of those in office.

April 24 2020 - 15:15

Liquor industry lobbies for permission to drink bought alcohol at home under eased lockdown

An umbrella body representing the liquor industry is lobbying for alcohol to be sold so it can be consumed at home during the eased lockdown period.

The SA Liquor Brand owners Association (Salba), which represents  manufactures and distributors in the liquor industry, said on Friday it was in talks with government to pursue off-site consumption.

April 24 2020 - 14:52

WATCH | LOL! Ramaphosa on face mask mishap - 'I'll teach you how to wear it'

Just because it happens on social media, don't think President Cyril Ramaphosa isn't aware of it.

Responding to the #maskchallenge, which was ignited by his on-air mask blunder during his lockdown address, Ramaphosa said, “I'm going to open a TV channel where I'm going to teach people how to put on a mask. So you can enrol [and learn] how a mask is put on.”

April 24 2020 - 14:46

Fournos Dunkeld on selling ready made coffee during lockdown: 'We didn't mean to break rules'

Mike Kalogirou, chief executive of the Fournos group, said the group had no intention of violating the rules of the lockdown after they were exposed for selling ready-made coffee, a non-essential item, at their shop in Dunkeld, Johannesburg. 

April 24 2020 - 14:32

WATCH | Looting during lockdown: 35 arrests as ransacking spikes in Cape Town

April 24 2020 - 14:06

More than 700 fake Netflix websites appear as streaming soars in lockdown

While streaming services have become the go-to source of entertainment for many people during the national lockdown, hackers are creating counterfeit sites to harvest personal information from users.

Cybersecurity company Mimecast found more than 700 suspicious domains impersonating Netflix alone in just one week during the lockdown.

April 24 2020 - 14:02

Gauteng has 1,252 Covid-19 cases, 843 recoveries and eight deaths

Gauteng on Thursday had 1,252 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 843 recoveries and eight deaths.

The number of active cases in the province is 391.

According to the Gauteng health department update, Johannesburg has 748 cases, Ekurhuleni has 268, while Tshwane is on 127. Sedibeng is on 13 and the West Rand on 42. About 54 patients are unallocated.

April 24 2020 - 14:00

Supermarkets in Covid-19 lockdown | Single moms told, 'leave your child outside'

“Leave your child outside.” That’s the advice many a supermarket security guard and manager has been giving mothers who’ve attempted to buy groceries with their young child in tow.

When a La Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, single mother arrived at Checkers’ Virginia Circle branch to buy paper for her eight-year-old daughter’s school work this week, she was greeted by a sign reading: “Dear Valued Customers, for your own safety we can only allow one family member to enter the store for your essential shopping. Requirements from government.”

April 24 2020 - 13:27

IN PICTURES | 'We are humans too' - heartbroken troops dig into own pockets to help the poor

Witnessing heartbreaking poverty and asking your own children to sacrifice hugs, birthday presents and mom time: that's what a soldier on patrol in Gauteng is coping with.

Captain Lwazi Malgas said her job in the military requires her to educate and instruct citizens to heed the call to stay at home to contain the spread of the coronavirus, and it is emotionally taxing.

She was part of a deployment to Soweto this week, where another officer was seen giving R50 to a Dobsonville man who was scratching through rubbish containing rotten vegetables to find something to eat.

April 24 2020 - 13:22

'There was no need for handcuffs': traumatised atchar seller says at court

“I was traumatised. They treated me as if I had killed someone.”

These were the words of 53-year-old Thandi Thabethe, who was arrested on Thursday for selling atchar without a permit in Soweto, south of Johannesburg.

Thabethe was arrested during an intensive lockdown patrol conducted in the area by members of police and the national defence force.

April 24 2020 - 12:53

'Trump probably thought he was talking to Morgan Freeman': Mzansi on Ramaphosa's ‘very productive’ chat with US pres

Social media streets have been buzzing since President Cyril Ramaphosa's “productive call” with US President Donald Trump.

Ramaphosa and “His Excellency President” Trump were on the phone discussing their respective countries’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The call took place on Thursday evening, just before Ramaphosa addressed the nation, announcing that SA would be moved from level 5 lockdown to level 4 from May 1.

"I had a very productive call with His Excellency President Donald Trump of the US of America."

April 24 2020 - 12:51

Mr President, let us ride again: cyclists promise to implement strict rules

Cycling once daily, close to home for short distances, is the pitch to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday by the Pedal Power Association (PPA).

Ramaphosa said on Thursday night that physical exercise would be allowed, as lockdown restrictions are eased from May 1, but did not provide details.

The cycling organisation's chairperson Rens Rezelman said it had submitted a proposal to the presidency to have cycling allowed under lockdown.

“For cyclists, these times are exceptionally frustrating and like the rest of the population, there are many who are extremely worried, and justifiably so, about how their jobs and personal incomes are going to be affected by Covid-19. Despite our personal and varying opinions on the matter, South Africa has to abide by strict lockdown measures and will have to do so for quite some time,” Rezelman said.

April 24 2020 - 12:40

Breakdown of Gauteng's Covid-19 cases

April 24 2020 - 12:34

Six water tank stands and 50 toilets vandalised in Stellenbosch

The department of water & sanitation has condemned the destruction of water tank stands in Stellenbosch by people demanding food parcels.

Department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said: “Such acts are unfortunate and misplaced. Even though they may have been done out of frustration, they are acts of vandalism and are therefore criminal. Water infrastructure, in fact all infrastructure, is meant for the greater good of communities. Vandalising one form to make a case for another type of infrastructure is not helpful.

“Right now the most important need for the country is to reduce all possibilities of infection by the coronavirus. Vandalism of water infrastructure meant to enhance the chances of limiting the spread of infections will not in any way help to flatten the curve,” he said.

April 24 2020 - 12:24

Twitter to block 5G conspiracy theories around Covid-19 and YouTube takes action against #Fakenews

Twitter is taking down tweets that incite “harmful activity” and contribute to the conspiracy theories that 5G mobile networks spread Covid-19.

“We have broadened our guidance on unverified claims that incite people to engage in harmful activity, could lead to the destruction or damage of critical 5G infrastructure, or could lead to widespread panic, social unrest or large-scale disorder,” the app announced.

The move comes after unproven theories have been shared widely by social media users, including American singer Keri Hilson.

April 24 2020 - 11:41

Women selling nuts and eggs arrested in Soweto lockdown operation

Two Dobsonville women selling peanuts, boiled eggs and biscuits in the Soweto suburb have been arrested under Covid-19 regulations after their pleas fell on deaf ears.

A law-enforcement operation was held in Soweto on Thursday in response to concerns that lockdown rules were not being followed by the community, with life as normal evident in some areas.

“Why are you still trading without permits? Did you not hear it is illegal to trade without a permit?” police spokesperson Capt Kay Makhubele asked the women.

April 24 2020 - 11:40

Emirati police deploy smart tech in coronavirus fight

Police in the United Arab Emirates are deploying smart helmets that can scan the temperatures of hundreds of people every minute in their effort to combat the new coronavirus.

The helmets, which need less time and less contact than traditional thermometers, can measure temperatures from five metres (16 ft) away and scan up to 200 people a minute, triggering an alert if a fever is detected.

April 24 2020 - 11:40

South Africans stranded in Morocco demand answers about repatriation

A group of 34 South Africans who have been stranded in Morocco for more than a month is looking for answers from the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) regarding their repeated unsuccessful attempts to be repatriated to SA.

The group had pinned its hopes of being repatriated on one of the SAA aircraft chartered by foreign governments to take their citizens out of South Africa, when the planes returned to SA.

With indications from SAA business rescue practitioners on Thursday that the repatriation flights will cease at the end of April, the group fears it might take longer before there is a chance for them to fly home.

April 24 2020 - 11:31

Tito Mboweni to outline economic measures relating to impact of Covid-19

Finance minister Tito Mboweni will on Friday brief the media on economic measures taken by treasury to mitigate the impact of Covid-19.

"The minister of finance, Tito Mboweni, will today at 14h00 brief the media following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a R500 billion package of economic measures aimed at addressing challenges facing the economy, hard hit by a recession, Covid-19, and sovereign credit rating downgrades."

Mboweni will be joined by national treasury executives.

April 24 2020 - 11:11

UDM welcomes gradual reopening of economy

April 24 2020 - 10:50

De-densifying informal settlements to contain Covid-19 spread

April 24 2020 - 10:45

You've got mail: Tom Hanks writes to bullied boy called 'Corona'

Hollywood megastar and coronavirus survivor Tom Hanks has written a comforting letter to a bullied Australian boy called Corona and gifted him a cherished typewriter bearing the same name.

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, in March and spent two weeks recovering in a Queensland hospital, before returning home to the United States.

Eight-year-old Corona De Vries sent a letter to Hanks asking after his health, local media reported.

April 24 2020 - 10:42

Mask off! 10 of the best reactions to Cyril Ramaphosa's mask mishap

South Africans were left in stitches by President Cyril Ramaphosa's struggle to put on a cloth mask, which saw him hooking it over his eyes instead of his mouth.

April 24 2020 - 10:22

Basic and higher education ministers to brief media on Monday

April 24 2020 09:50

Ramaphosa visits Covid-19 facilities in Gauteng 

April 24 2020 - 09:34

Covid-19: Plant shutdown for decontamination at SA pharmaceutical giant

Fifty employees are undergoing testing after a colleague contracted Covid-19 at an Adcock Ingram factory.

The pharmaceutical company said in a statement that the employee who tested positive works at a Critical Care manufacturing facility and is now self-quarantined while contacts are traced.

April 24 2020 - 09:27

WATCH | Trump shocker: Suggests trying UV light, injected disinfectant as possible Covid-19 cures

US President Donald Trump has again left people stunned and confused with his bizarre suggestion that disinfectant and ultraviolet light could possibly be used to treat Covid-19. 

Trump floated the idea at a coronavirus task force briefing on Thursday at the White House, suggesting that patients could be injected with disinfectant as a form of treatment. 

April 24 2020 - 08:27

Forced isolation camps ‘are not only unethical but will do no good’

One of SA's leading medical ethicists has a huge problem with plans to isolate people who test positive for Covid-19 in camps.

April 24 2020 08:26

Families living in tents for years to be moved for fear of Covid-19

More than 60 families living in tents at Honeydew, west of Johannesburg, are due to be moved into temporary shelters, partly due to fears of people in the densely populated area being at risk of contracting Covid-19.

Mayoral committee member for housing in the City of Johannesburg Mlungisi Mabaso told TimesLIVE that temporary structures were being built for the 64 families living at plot 323 in Ruimsig, west of Johannesburg.

They will be among hundreds moved to temporary structures, with some staying in containers for almost four years now.

April 24 2020 - 08:24

Which areas will beat metros to lockdown freedom?

Provinces and districts with low Covid-19 infection rates are set to enjoy a relaxing of SA's strict lockdown regulations from May, President Cyril Ramaphosa signalled.

“Because Covid-19 confirmed case numbers and rates of infection differ across the country, alert levels will be determined at the provincial, and in some cases, the district level once the full nationwide lockdown ends,” on April 30, he said.

In areas where infection rates are high, the military will be activated to help government contain the pandemic.

April 24 2020 - 07:42

Court to rule on whether Muslims can pray under lockdown rules

The Pretoria high court is expected to rule next week on whether mosques should be opened for prayer “under limitations” during the lockdown.

Muhammed Bin Hassim Mohomed, Anas Mohammed Chotia and the As-Saadiqeen Islamic Centre are challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa to relax lockdown regulations so that they can be opened for daily prayers.

The matter reconvened on Thursday when advocate Feroz Boda argued that the country was not in a state of emergency and the regulations were subject to ordinary constitutional scrutiny.

April 24 2020 - 07:39

SA lockdown: Cape Town brewery fights hunger by making meals for the needy

Woodstock Brewery in Cape Town is repurposing its breweries to make meals which will be distributed to the needy for the duration of the lockdown, using funds raised from customers who bought beer vouchers before the business closed.

“Thanks for the offers to buy vouchers but we would rather sell beer again, in the normal way, when we are allowed to.

“For now, we want to focus on more pressing needs. We're repurposing our breweries into big soup kitchens to produce soup and porridge for the immediate needs of the less unfortunate,” reads a post on its Facebook page.

April 24 2020 - 07:37

Family spent 30 hours on the phone talking to dad before he died of Covid-19

A woman whose father died from Covid-19 related complications has shared details about the final hours of his life and how she and her family were on a 30-hour phone call with him because they were unable to visit him in hospital.

Forty-one-year-old Abby Adair Reinhard from Rochester, New York, shared the news about her father Don's death on Facebook.

Reinhard said the whole family spent two days on the phone with the 76-year-old as he remained unconscious in the hospital.

“My dad just died from Covid-19," Abby began the post.

April 24 2020 - 07:15

The devil is in the detail as SA awaits ministers to explain what level 4 means

With only a week left before South Africa enters level four of lockdown ministers involved in the Covid-19 national command council are faced with the task of explicitly outlining what level four really means.

President Cyril Ramaphosa downgraded lockdown regulations on Thursday allowing for the partial reopening of the economy in the country.

Ministers involved are yet to outline updated regulations for this new phase.