COVID-19 WRAP | Ramaphosa warns of 'swift and harsh' action against those stealing public funds

July 23 2020 - 22:29

DA slams Ramaphosa for 'bowing to union pressure' to close schools

DA leader John Steenhuisen has slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to close public schools for a month, saying the president has “bent the knee to all-powerful teachers’ unions”. 

This is after Ramaphosa announced the closure of schools for four weeks and told the nation that the current school year will go beyond 2020.

Steenhuisen labelled Ramaphosa a “spectator president” who had “bent the knee to all-powerful teachers’ unions, in particular Sadtu, who do not have the best interests of learners at heart”.

July 23 2020 - 21:47

IN FULL | Ramaphosa addresses SA on shutting schools and fighting Covid-19 fraud

President Cyril Rampahosa said on Thursday night that matrics would get a week off, grade 7s would get two weeks off and all other public school pupils a month off.

This, he said, was as the country faced a growing number of Covid-19 cases, with SA becoming just the fifth country in the world to record more than 400,000 infections.

Ramaphosa also promised to crack down on corruption.

This is his full unedited address, as provided to journalists:

July 23 2020 - 21:21

President Cyril Ramaphosa talks tough on corruption as he pledges to go for Covid-19 fund looters

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday moved to allay fears that Covid-19 corruption would continue unabated when he announced a high-powered unit which will unmask those caught with their fingers in the cookie jar.

In his address to the nation on Thursday evening, the president announced a collaborative centre which would bring together all law enforcement agencies to deal specifically with crimes related to money set aside to fight the pandemic.

“This centre brings together nine state institutions. These are the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, the SAPS Detective Service, the South African Revenue Service, the Special Investigating Unit and the State Security Agency.

July 23 2020 - 20:44

Private schools, booze and Ramaphosa 'tears': SA reacts to school closures

After weeks of fierce debate on both sides of the school issue in SA, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night announced that public schools would close for four weeks from July 27 to August 24.

There are, however, exceptions: the president said grade 12 learners would have a one-week break and return on August 3, while grade 7 learners would have a two-week break and return on August 10.

Ramaphosa said it was a “deliberately cautious” move by the government.

July 23 2020 - 20:31

'There should be no theft, wastage of public funds'

Turning to corruption, Ramaphosa said he had signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate any unlawful or improper conduct in the procurement of goods or services relating to the state of disaster.

July 23 2020 - 20:07

'Health and wellbeing of learners and educators is critical'

SA has the fifth highest number of coronavirus cases in the world.

"The storm has indeed arrived, as we said it would," said Ramaphosa.

But there has been a levelling off of infections, he added, saying there is hope that the Western Cape has passed the peak of the pandemic.

SA's death rate was also low, said the president in his address to the nation.

But practical steps need to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

Since the beginning of May, we have been undertaking a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, he said. 

This included schools resuming classes. But with renewed pressure for schools to be closed, another round of consultations have taken place over the past few days.

"It was difficult to find consensus," on the reopening of schools, said Ramaphosa, before announcing: "All public schools should take a break for the next four weeks." 

Throughout this period, the school feeding programme will continue. 

July 23 2020 - 19:30

WATCH LIVE | Ramaphosa to address the nation on latest Covid-19 developments

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 8pm on Thursday with an update on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of Covid-19.

“The president’s address follows a number of meetings of the cabinet and the national coronavirus command council,” the presidency said in a statement.

The address will be broadcast live on television, radio and streamed live on online platforms.

July 23 2020 - 18:26

Gwede Mantashe is not dead: ANC

Minister of minerals and energy Gwede Mantashe is alive and well.

This was confirmed by the African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday, which dismissed online claims that he had died. Mantashe was recently diagnosed with Covid-19 and hospitalised.

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the rumours doing the rounds on social media were “heartless, inhumane, untrue and insensitive”.

July 23 2020 - 18:20

Ramaphosa orders SIU to probe officials, spending linked to Covid-19 state of disaster

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the Special Investigating Unit to probe all government spending linked to the state of disaster declared over the coronavirus pandemic.

And, Ramaphosa states, the SIU must also probe “improper or unlawful conduct” by government employees — including whether this resulted in “any loss, damage or actual or potential prejudice suffered by the state institutions or the state”.

In a gazette published on Thursday — signed by Ramaphosa and justice minister Ronald Lamola — the president wants the SIU to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into public money and public officials linked to the declaration of the state of disaster.

July 23 2020 - 18:04

Cape Town's newest neighbourhood is a patch of land by the N2 dubbed '19'

A new “suburb” named 19 went up near Barcelona on Thursday. This is not the home of the FC Barcelona in Spain, however. Barcelona is an informal settlement near Cape Town International Airport, in Nyanga.

The neighbouring areas have been dubbed Covid and Virus.

It is part of a series of land grabs that spread across Cape Town this week.

July 23 2020 - 17:12

There was no 'tender bonanza', says Ramaphosa's spokesperson on R125m contract for her husband

Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko has come out in defence of her husband, whose company allegedly received a R125m tender to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Gauteng health department.

She denied allegations of corruption on Thursday, but acknowledged that King Madzikane Thandisizwe Diko II had received “commitment letters” which were never fulfilled.

This follows weekend reports that her husband scored in a “tender bonanza”.

July 23 2020 - 17:05

13,000 new cases, as Mkhize urges SA to be 'alive to the realities of Covid-19'

Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has announced 13,104 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, and has again pleaded with South Africans to do their bit in containing the spread of the virus.

Adding these to the overall figures provided on Wednesday night, it means there are now 408,052 confirmed cases of the virus in SA.

“There is no conscription for this war against Covid-19 — only consciousness. Every man, every woman, every child must be alive to the realities of Covid-19. We must understand that we are the product of our choices.

July 23 2020 - 15:36

Gauteng premier David Makhura eyes wrongdoers after Covid-19 recovery

Gauteng premier David Makhura has made a full recovery from Covid-19, his office said on Thursday.

Makhura, who has completed 14 days of self-isolation, thanked public health-care staff in Johannesburg region A - which spans Diepsloot, Kya Sands, Dainfern, Midrand, Lanseria, Fourways and Ivory Park - for giving him the care he required. He did not name the institution.

“During my battle with Covid-19, I came face to face with the dedication, bravery, professionalism and fears of thousands of public health-care workers who are sacrificing their own lives in order to save more lives. I wish to convey my deep appreciation and gratitude to you all,” he said.

July 23 2020 - 15:23

Ramaphosa to address the nation on latest Covid-19 developments

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 8pm on Thursday with an update on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of Covid-19.

“The president’s address follows a number of meetings of the cabinet and the national coronavirus command council,” the presidency said in a statement.

The address will be broadcast live on television, radio and streamed live on online platforms.

July 23 2020 - 15:05

Accurate death stats are vital but absent as SA hits peak, warn experts

Scientists have been wondering why SA’s case fatality rates for Covid-19 are lower than those of its global counterparts, but now a major question is being asked: are our mortality statistics even accurate?

July 23 2020 - 14:58

EXPLAINED | Can I claim compensation if I get Covid-19 at work?

With the economy being reopened and scores of people returning to work during the coronavirus surge, an imperative question is whether one can be compensated for contracting Covid-19 at the office.

The department of employment & labour issued a directive in a gazette published on Thursday to clarify the position of the Compensation Fund regarding compensation claims for workplace-acquired Covid-19.

“All employees, regardless of occupation, are entitled to make a claim for compensation in the event that they contract Covid-19 at the workplace,” according to the gazette.

July 23 2020 - 14:36

KZN health to get lion's share of Covid-19 response budget

The KwaZulu-Natal department of health has spent R3.2bn for additional ICU staff, doctors, nurses and tracing teams in its response to Covid-19.

The total estimated Covid-19 response expenditure for the provincial health department amounts to R8.2bn, the provincial treasury announced on Thursday. 

July 23 2020 - 14:28

Education department reads the riot act as 'militant' teachers face the chop

As the country waits with bated breath for the government's announcement on the status of schools on Thursday, the department of basic education has read the riot act to teachers who refuse to report for duty. 

July 23 2020 - 14:26

Gauteng increases budget by R4bn to deal with Covid-19

Gauteng finance MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has presented a budget to the legislature which reprioritised money to help the provincial government respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nkomo-Ralehoko’s adjusted 2020/2021 budget increased by R4bn from the R142.4bn announced in March to R146.4bn.

Funds were reprioritised by the provincial treasury to avail more money for health, education and social development which desperately need more funding for the fight against Covid-19 in the province.

July 23 2020 - 13:17

Advice for employers as staff struggle with Covid-19 mental anguish

The health insurance industry should prepare for an increase in mental health expenses over the next two years, according to new research on mental health in the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic.

July 23 2020 - 11:50

Halting childhood vaccinations during lockdown could be deadly for our children

Suspension of childhood immunisation in SA during the lockdown could have detrimental effects and result in thousands of young children dying from preventable infections such as diarrhoea, measles and pneumonia, a new study has cautioned.

Researchers from the London School of Tropical Medicine have estimated that as many as 702,000 children, and more than 18,000 in SA, could die before they're five as a result of the temporary suspension of immunisation programmes during lockdown.

July 23 2020 - 11:39

Covid-19 lands DA's Mbali Ntuli back in hospital

Barely a day after proclaiming her recovery, DA leadership hopeful Mbali Ntuli on Thursday announced that she was back in hospital due to Covid-19.

“Covid is bizarre. I'm back in hospital today after feeling extreme pain in my chest from last night. Doc says my one lung sounds softer, has ordered a chest x-ray put me on a drip. I feel fine except for feeling like there's a giant pulsating rock in my chest making it hard to move,” Ntuli tweeted.

July 23 2020 - 10:37

Armed with social media, Zimbabwean youth fight coronavirus 'infodemic'

Drinking alcohol will kill the coronavirus. It is OK to share face masks. Africans cannot get Covid-19. The pandemic is not even real.

These are some of the coronavirus myths that a team of 20 Zimbabwean youth have been busting online since the country's lockdown began in late March, using social media and radio shows to reach an estimated 100,000 people to date.

July 23 2020 - 10:26

DA's Mbali Ntuli calls for a halt to annual general meetings and online elective congress

DA leadership hopeful Mbali Ntuli has called on the party to cancel its plans to hold an elective congress online and for members to insist that branch meetings be halted.

According to Ntuli, the online event would not afford many the chance to have “difficult” conversations due to technical difficulties, and holding branch meetings, known as annual general meetings (AGM), would put the party's members at risk and leave some out of the process.

July 23 2020 - 10:02

Florida funeral worker spends life dealing with virus deaths

For one young funeral home assistant in Florida, his social life has been dead -- his main human interactions are with deceased coronavirus victims at his workplace.

But he doesn't regret his isolation.

The pandemic is "bigger than we are," said Bradley Georges, 26, an assistant at the Van Orsdel funeral home in Miami. 

July 23 2020 - 09:08

Not time to put EC health department under administration: Zweli Mkhize

Though the question of whether the Eastern Cape health department should be placed under administration has come up in parliament, health minister Zweli Mkhize says he is “not yet there”.

July 23 2020 - 09:01

Government clarifies 'incorrect' tweet on sale of ciggie and booze ban during lockdown

The government has backtracked on an “incorrect” tweet regarding the ban on cigarettes and alcohol sales during the lockdown.

On Wednesday, the government said the ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes would remain in place throughout the lockdown period.

“The ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes will remain in place throughout the lockdown period. The purpose is to save lives and protect the health and wellbeing of our people,” it said on its official Twitter account.

The now-deleted tweet caused concern over the government’s confusing messages and resulted in an outrage online.

July 23 2020 - 09:00

No goodbyes and unending grief: Covid’s lasting torment

Covid-19 is giving rise to prolonged grief disorder for families who have lost loved ones.

Without closure, psychologists warn, losing a loved one in these times means a whole new level of heartbreak.

July 23 2020 - 08:30

Food prices have gone up, Stats SA data shows

Shoppers are right: food has become more expensive. But there are exceptions, which savvy or cash-strapped consumers can capitalise on.

July 23 2020 - 07:30

Entire Free State nursing school management tests positive for Covid-19

The entire 16-member management of a Free State nursing school has tested positive for Covid-19.

The management of the Free State Nursing School has, according to the provincial health department, been sent home for self-isolation.

The campus community was informed and contact tracing was initiated.

July 23 2020 - 07:00

Ninety-year-old ready to live a full life after patting away Covid-19

When great-grandmother Pat Fullard, 90, tested positive for Covid-19, she was afraid she would die.

July 23 2020 - 07:00

Taxi windows must be 5cm open at all times — and other rules for public transport

Taxis, buses and other public transport vehicles must keep their windows — on both sides — at least 5cm open in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

July 23 2020 - 06:59

One silver lining: fewer premature babies being born during lockdown

Even before they compared notes, doctors in several countries began noticing a strange phenomenon during the Covid-19 lockdown: far fewer premature babies were being born.

From Denmark to Australia to Ireland, and possibly SA too, neonatal ICU beds have sat empty while the ICUs for other patients have been filling up.

July 23 2020 - 06:00

She overcame a series of unfortunate events, including Covid-19

Just because there’s a pandemic and you get infected doesn’t make you immune to other forms of bad luck — like a tree falling through your roof and having no electricity for nearly three days.

July 23 2020 - 05:30

Facebook post hits home as neighbour dies of Covid-19 in less than two weeks

A Facebook post detailing the final days of a man who allegedly died of Covid-19 related complications has gone viral.