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A Mpumalanga police officer has been arrested in the Eastern Cape for the alleged possession of dagga valued at R570 000.
The president also stressed the importance of keeping the economy open after months of stifling movement restrictions.
He urged citizens not to drop their guard and continue adhering to the health rules, such as wearing face masks and respecting curfew times.
South Africa has recorded just over 800,000 coronavirus infections - more than a third of the cases reported across the African continent - and over 20,000 deaths.
AFP
\"Today, we wish to reiterate our plea to South Africans to heed the threat of the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases identified,\" Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded on the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans;[9] [10] [11] on the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and on the east and northeast by Mozambique and Swaziland; and surrounds the kingdom of Lesotho.[12] South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 56 million people, is the worlds 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry,[5] divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status.[11] The remaining population consists of Africas largest communities of European (white), Asian (Indian), and multiracial (coloured) ancestry.
South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitutions recognition of 11 official languages, which is among the highest number of any country in the world.[11] Two of these languages are of European origin: Afrikaans developed from Dutch and serves as the first language of most white and coloured South Africans; English reflects the legacy of British colonialism, and is commonly used in public and commercial life, though it is fourth-ranked as a spoken first language.[11] The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup détat, and regular elections have been held for almost a century. However, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994. During the 20th century, the black majority sought to recover its rights from the dominant white minority, with this struggle playing a large
Gauteng police are hunting down seven suspects after patrons and the owner of Leriba hotel in Centurion came under armed attack.
- Heavy rain is expected on Wednesday into Thursday over the Nama Khoi and Kamiesburg municipalities of the Northern Cape, as well as the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Cape Metropole and the western parts of the Overberg district municipalities of the Western Cape.
- Localised urban flooding, due to the significant amount of rain, is expected over the Cape Winelands, Cape Metro and western parts of the Overberg district municipalities, as well as the eastern parts of the Cederberg and Bergriver municipalities of the Western Cape on Wednesday into Thursday.
- Disruptive snowfalls are expected over the western high grounds of the Western Cape and the southern high grounds of the Northern Cape provinces on Wednesday evening, spreading eastwards into the Eastern Cape mountains on Thursday, where it will persist into Friday in the early morning.
An intense cold front, with an associated upper air trough, is expected over the western parts of the Northern and Western Cape from Wednesday morning until Thursday evening.
The Western Cape can expect morning fog along the south coast, otherwise it will be cloudy and cool to warm over the western parts, with afternoon rain over the extreme western parts.
South Africa currently has a cumulative COVID-19 caseload of 1 296 806, along with 35 852 deaths and 1 049 740 recoveries.
Eastern Cape police recovered copper cables near Bonkolo dam outside Queenstown on Monday and they may just belong to Eskom.
The Department of Basic Education says it is all systems go for schools reopening on Monday - and health and safety will be priority as the fight against Covid-19 transmissions continues.
South Africa is the most affected, accounting for 25% of the continent's total cases, with the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces reporting high number of cases and deaths daily.
\"For now Africa still only accounts for a small fraction of cases worldwide,\" said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.
Swift and early action by African countries has helped to keep numbers low but constant vigilance is needed to stop COVID-19 from overwhelming health facilities.\"
Many countries were quick to make difficult decisions and put in place lockdowns and key public health measures such as promoting physical distancing, good hand hygiene and testing, tracing of contacts of people with COVID-19 and isolation of cases.
These public health and social measures have been effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Africa.
A 78-year-old retired police captain was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Sterkspruit Regional Court on Wednesday for raping his then-10-year-old granddaughter more than 18 years ago.
According to a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, was a 60-year-old police officer stationed in the Free State at the time of the incident.
The case went unreported for 14 years, until 2016, when the victim decided to report it to the police.
\"Advocate Loyiso Methuso, for the State, led the evidence for the victim, now 28 years old, who gave a clear and satisfactory account of the incident, despite the 18-year lapse,\" Tyali said.
\"The court held that the man broke the relationship of trust and failed in his duty to protect the child, as both her grandfather and a police officer.
Prasa spokesperson Makhosini Mgitywa said their trains had been parked for 13 weeks because of the lockdown.
READ | Rough ride for commuters as taxis hike fares and trains are still grounded
Mgitywa said they will prioritise Covid-19 hygiene protocols inside trains and on platforms, and also reminded passengers to wear masks regularly.
\"No eating or drinking will be allowed inside trains to ensure passengers keep their masks on at all times,\" said Mgitywa.
Prasa has encouraged passengers, who don't feel well, to not board trains.
Passengers are encouraged to observe social distance markers inside the train, social distance markings next to the ticket office and at the platforms at all times.
The Western Cape has seen a whopping 53.4% increase in new Covid-19 cases in the last week.
According to the department, almost half of the more than R14-billion paid out so far, has been paid to 1 186 833 workers in the province via 79 271 employers.
The Northern Cape had the least number of claimants with R140-million paid to the province for 25 155 workers represented by 2 972 employers.
KwaZulu-Natal is the third largest recipient with over R2.1-billion paid to 409 775 workers as claimed by 29 988 employers, while fourth spot is the Eastern Cape with R782-million distributed to 146 189 workers in the province represented by 13 163 employers.
They are closely followed by Mpumalanga with 145 046 workers represented by 10 991 employers being handed R760-million in cash benefits, Free State with 90 553 workers represented by 10 240 employers who in total claimed R477-million, Limpopo with 73 001 workers getting their share via 6 993 employers totalling R372-million and the North West is second last with R93-million distributed there for 69 041 workers who had their applications submitted by 6 536 employers.
According to Commissioner Teboho Maruping, employers still have until the end of May to address queries where the UIF has reverted to them with regard to incomplete information.
A joint police investigation has led to the arrest of an East London senior public prosecutor in connection with the disappearance of multiple case dockets.
Oliver Tambo , (born October 27, 1917, Bizana, Pondoland district, Transkei [now in Eastern Cape], South Africa—died April 24, 1993, Johannesburg), president of the South African black-nationalist African National Congress (ANC) between 1967 and 1991.
The North-West Province and Free State will be fine and cool, while the Northern Cape will be cloudy along the coast and its adjacent interior, where it will be partly cloudy in the afternoon, otherwise fine and cold to cool.
The Western Cape will be cloudy to partly cloudy and cool but cold in places over the west and south-western parts where light rain is expected in places, clearing in the afternoon.
The western half of the Eastern Cape will be partly cloudy and cool, but cloudy with a very slight chance of light rain in places along the coast.
In the eastern half of the province it will be cold in the north-east, otherwise fine and cool, becoming cloudy in the east by evening.
KwaZulu-Natal will experience morning fog over the northern interior and cold in places in the extreme west, otherwise fine and cool but warm in places in the east.
The cause of death of the baby born prematurely, and said to have died of Covid-19 after a two-day struggle for survival, will be investigated, the Western Cape government said on Thursday.
\"We are saddened by this tragic loss of such a young life and send our deepest sympathies to the family at this time,\" said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
The statement said that 235 people had died of Covid-19 in the Western Cape by 13:00 on Thursday.
The cross-border transporting of bodies formed part of discussions at a high-level meeting between the Western and Eastern Cape governments, as well as national government ministers.
The virtual meeting on Thursday included Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Winde, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, Police Minister Bheki Cele, Health MECs Sindiswa Gomba of the Eastern Cape and Nomafrench Mbombo of the Western Cape, and the Safety and Liaison MECs Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe of the Eastern Cape and Albert Fritz of the Western Cape.
It’s Tuesday 15 December 2020, and this is TheSouthAfrican.com Daily News Wrap - with the latest news you really need to know.
A regional Eastern Cape business chamber has labelled Premier Oscar Mabuyane's call to push for a renewed alcohol ban as \"knee jerk\", but his call has the support of the Eastern Cape Liquor Board.
READ | Mabuyane to push for alcohol ban in the Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has applauded the call, but it has been met with scepticism by some in business.
Eastern Cape Black Business Forum secretary Luthando Bara said: \"Our view is that it seems the alcohol ban has not only been about keeping a lid on the spread of the Covid-19 virus – it's about the government experimenting with a way to cut the crime rate and change drinking habits with little or no enforcement.
ECLB spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya said: \"The unbanning of the sale of alcohol has seen a profoundly disappointing rise in various forms of serious crime in the province of the Eastern Cape.
ALSO READ | 10 killed on first day of Level 3 on Eastern Cape roads, province slams irresponsible drinking
\"Reported cases during this period also include drunk driving and drunk pedestrians hit by passing cars.
The governing party is planning its birthday bash in line with Covid-19 restrictions on big gatherings
In the midst of anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, the American Bar Association has drawn fierce criticism over its announcement that former president FW de Klerk will speak about \"rule of law, constitutional democracy, minority rights, social change, racism and global security\" at its upcoming 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.
Among those who have appealed to the ABA - which describes itself as \"the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world\" - to reconsider its choice of De Klerk as a speaker are Lukhanyo Calata, the son of slain anti-apartheid activist Fort Calata, former Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Dumisa Ntzebeza, and Howard Varney, who worked closely with the TRC.
The Pan African Bar Association of South Africa (PABASA), which recently expressed its outrage over \"the brutal murder of George Floyd\", has also condemned the ABA for providing De Klerk with a platform to speak on racism.
'Failure to take responsibility for apartheid'
In a press release about De Klerk's upcoming speech at its \"empowerment\"-themed conference, the ABA describes the former president as having \"negotiated with Nelson Mandela to bring the apartheid system of racial segregation to an end, ushering in majority rule\".
Lukhanyo Calata has directly appealed to the ABA to reconsider its decision to invite De Klerk, who he maintains was complicit in the 27 June 1985 state-sanctioned murders of his father and fellow teachers Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparro Mkonto.
South Africa currently has a cumulative caseload of 1 278 303, along with 35 140 deaths and 1 030 930 recoveries.
There are fire warnings over parts of the Eastern Cape for Thursday, but an otherwise fine and cool day across the country, the South African Weather Service says.
The Northern Cape will see morning fog over the west, otherwise fine and cool but warm in the north.
The Western Cape will be fine over the Karoo, otherwise cloudy to partly cloudy and cool with morning fog over the west and south-west coast as well as isolated rain in the south-western parts that will spread to the south coast by the evening.
The western half of the Eastern Cape will be partly cloudy in places along the coast in the morning, otherwise fine and cool, becoming cloudy with light rain along the coast of Port Elizabeth in the evening.
The eastern half of the Eastern Cape will be fine and cool, but warm in places along the coast.
The country breached the one million mark for Covid-19 tests, with 1 028 399 conducted as of 11 June.
According to a statement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, 29 999 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
Of the more than one million tests performed to date, 52% were done in public laboratories, while 48% were in the private sector.
Mkhize said a further 74 Covid-19-related deaths have been recorded, bringing the death toll to 1 284, which translated to a mortality rate of 2.2%.
\"We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank healthcare workers who treated the deceased,\" Mkhize said.
The Fort Beaufort police station in the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape has been closed after one of its officers tested positive for Covid-19.
According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, the community service centre would operate from the police barracks at the SANDF base at 3 Grey Street, near the Fort Beaufort Primary School.
The usual police contact details were not working, but the station could be reached on 071 475 1760.
The building was undergoing decontamination and the community would be informed when the station was operational again.
Earlier this week, three police stations in the Eastern Cape were temporarily closed after it was discovered that some of their officers had tested positive for Covid-19.
[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has banned the importation of vehicles registered in 2013.
Dlamini-Zuma said movement between districts and localities will be permitted in areas that are not Covid-19 hotspots, This, however, will only be to travel to work, or to buy or obtain available goods, services and medical attention.
Workplace gatherings will be allowed
Workplace gatherings for work purposes will be permitted under strict conditions and the observance of health, hygiene and social distancing protocols, Dlamini-Zuma said.
You may go to hotels under strict conditions
Dlamini-Zuma said hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses remain closed, except those accommodating confined tourists, people lodging for work purposes, and persons in quarantine or isolation.
You may go to places of worship, such as churches and mosques
Dlamini-Zuma said religious counselling has been declared an essential service, and religious gatherings, such as church services, will be permitted as long as there are fewer than 50 people attending.
You may fly under strict conditions, and international travel remains limited
Dlamini-Zuma said limited domestic air travel will be permitted to allow employees to travel.
VAN NUYS — A man approximately 40 years old was injured and another motorist refused hospitalization from a two-vehicle traffic crash Saturday morning in the Van Nuys/Lake Balboa area. The injured motorist, suffering from a leg injury, was rushed to an area hospital, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. Firefighters extricated the injured motorist from […]
South Africa recorded a total of 399 deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic as of Wednesday, an increase of 27 in the past 24 hours, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.
\"Sadly we have recorded the first neonatal mortality related to Covid-19,\" Mr Mkhize said.
Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa has risen to 18,003, up by 803 from Tuesday's figure, said Mr Mkhize.
Nationwide, the total number of recoveries to date stands at 8,950, Mr Mkhize said.
On Tuesday night, the South African government published, for the first time, the modelling or projections for the Covid-19 pandemic, showing that between 40,000 and 45,000 South Africans could die from Covid-19 by November, with the existing intensive care unit beds expected to be overwhelmed.
Teachers’ unions and school governing bodies told City Press this week that progress had been made by the department of education to deliver the required safety materials for teachers.
Speaking to City Press about Thursday’s meeting, Johannes Motona, president of the Professional Educators’ Union (PEU), said Mweli had reported that teachers were more optimistic than they had been the previous week, despite still being anxious about the state of their schools’ readiness to reopen.
According to Motona, Mweli also said that provinces would fill vacancies in schools.
Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA, said certain issues were still cause for concern ahead of pupils’ return to school tomorrow.
She said most schools were ready and that teacher morale had improved now that the basic safety materials had been provided and the adjusted curriculum had been announced.
