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The Northern Cape Health Department has put its Chief Financial Officer and Acting Head of Department on precautionary suspension following their arrest on charges relating to the alleged irregular awarding of personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts.

Acting HOD, Dr Dion Theys and CFO Daniel Gaborone were arrested last week and subsequently appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court, where they were granted bail of R20 000 each.

Provincial Health Department spokesperson, Lebogang Majaha, said Health MEC Maruping Lekwene met with the department’s top brass following the arrests and highlighted the need to strengthen governance in the department.

“The MEC… met with the executive management team in the department, where he re-emphasised the need to urgently strengthen governance processes and internal controls. The MEC and Head of Department will be meeting next week with a joint sitting of the Northern Cape Legislature Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development.

The purpose of the meeting is to brief the committee on these developments and explain the processes being implemented to ensure stability in the department in terms of its operations and its financial viability,” Majaha said.

Theys and Gaborone are expected to appear next in the court on 27 September.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the amended 2021 school calendar will be retained as is.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Motshekga reported that the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) met on Friday to consider inputs from stakeholders, following rounds of consultations regarding the already amended school calendar for the 2021 academic year.

“Three options emerged from the consultations, and these were presented to the CEM for consideration. In the end, CEM agreed that the amended 2021 school calendar must be retained as it was from its very last amendment – that the October vacation, will not be interfered with.

“CEM further recommended that the lost number of school days, should be recovered at district and school-level, but with reasonableness,” the Minister said.

No COVID-19 vaccines for learners

Meanwhile, Motshekga stressed that there are currently no COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved in the country for people under the age of 18.

“Contrary to the rumours on social media, there is no intention whatsoever to vaccinate children for anything else, other than what is already declared in the form for [health services]. Those spreading the rumours, we implore you to stop spreading such rumours, because you are causing anxiety and panic among our school communities,” Motshekga said.

The Minister said the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Social Development, continue to provide health services to learners in schools through the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP).

“For children to receive these services, government requires permission from parents and guardians in writing. There is a form (SHS 1a), which has been distributed to schools, which must be completed by parents and guardians to give consent for the services to be rendered to learners.

“The health services include checking the child’s health; deworming; routine immunisation against measles, polio, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer later in life; as well as checking for common health problems; provide health education; and indeed, mental health and psycho-social support.

“On the days when these services are rendered, parents are free to come to school with their children to obtain more information,” Motshekga explained.

While acknowledging the legal limitations of parents and guardians consent, Motshekga said it is critical for parents and guardians of learners to allow the sector to provide the health services.

However, she encouraged all the 18-year-olds and older in schools to get vaccinated.

Significant number of candidates passed Maths and Science

Giving an update on May/June examinations, Motshekga reported that a significant number of May/June candidates have attained passes in gateway subjects, including Mathematics and Physical Sciences, with a total of 11 557 candidates who attained a pass in Mathematics and 8 258 attained a pass in Physical Sciences.

The department released the 2021 May/June examination results last week.

The Minister said the examinations were successfully administered, despite the enormous challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Both candidates with COVID-19 symptoms and those who tested positive, were allowed to write the examination in special isolation venues.  The prevalence of examination irregularities of a serious nature, such as imposters, crib notes, and possession of cell phones during the writing, have declined compared to previous years,” the Minister said.

She noted that the results of the May/June examination cannot be reported the same as the end-of-the-year National Senior Certificate examinations, given that candidates for the May/June exams, register to write one or more subjects.

The results of the candidates who wrote these exams are available at district offices or at the centres where the examination was written.

Senior Certificate candidates who sat for this examination can obtain their results from the DBE website at www.education.gov.za.

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, has announced that the department and its stakeholders will intensify the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in schools, which aims to empower young people with age appropriate information.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Motshekga said the department was concerned about the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in the country, which impacts negatively on the work of the education sector.

She said teenage pregnancies was not just a problem in Gauteng, but a national crisis, as most pregnant teenagers are of school going age.

“It is a serious indictment on all of us as a society and we really need to reflect deeply on this crisis and take urgent action to arrest the moral decay. Early and unwanted pregnancy perpetuates poverty and disrupts the growth and development of our young people.

“It also contributes to the worrying drop-out rate that we are fighting so hard to reduce. It has become even more urgent that as a nation we act together collaboratively on this matter as it threatens the future of the country as a whole,” the Minister said.

The department will need once again to mobilise communities and stakeholders to unite against this scourge.

“The time has come to bury our differences with the religious sector, the traditional leadership, parents, guardians and all others who opposed the implementation of CSE,” Motshekga said.

Acts of GBV condemned

Meanwhile, Motshekga said the incidents of violence meted against innocent women and children are very disturbing.

“The murder and mutilation of a fourth year law student at the University of Fort Hare, Nosicelo Mtebeni; the assassination of the CFO of the Gauteng Department of Health, Babita Deokaran; the gang rape of a 11 year-old girl in Majeje, in Limpopo; the Grade 1 learner allegedly raped at a Soshanguve school by a general assistant working at the school, are heinous crimes and barbaric acts committed by humans on other humans, especially during and around Women’s Month,” Motshekga said.

The Minister implored all law-abiding citizens to deplore such monstrous crimes while allowing the law to take its cause.

“It is indeed about time, that we, as a nation, take a stand; and say enough is enough! We must never allow gender-based violence to thrive in our communities. Let us all speak against gender-based violence everywhere it shows its ugly head; let us act against it, using all legal platforms available to us,” she said.

Two more suspects are on Monday expected to appear in court for instigating last month’s widely ruinous public violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

This comes after members of the Hawks’ Crime against the State, working together with Crime Intelligence, arrested two suspects, aged 35 and 36, for incitement to commit public violence.  The two were arrested on Saturday, 28 August 2021, in Gauteng and KZN, respectively.

The arrests are the latest in a litany of other apprehensions linked to the July unrest, which saw the two provinces sustain infrastructure losses amounting to billions of rand, and thousands of job losses.

In a statement, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said: “It is alleged that the KZN suspect, a 35-year-old man, was involved in the incitement of public violence through social media and other platforms during the period of unrest in KwaZulu-Natal.”

Mogale said as a result of the incitement, Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg was broken into and criminal activities such as the theft of goods occurred. The mall was also set alight.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Meanwhile the Gauteng suspect, who is a 36-year-old woman who operated as Sphithiphithi Evaluator @ African Soil, with a followership of 59 900 people, was also arrested on Saturday during a search and seizure operation in Leondale, which resulted in the confiscation of exhibits for further investigation.

“The suspect is expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of incitement to commit public violence.

“Investigations against those who incite, instigate or conspire with others to commit crime, including public violence, are continuing,” said Mogale.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has warned the public of another jobs scam that is doing the rounds in various parts of the country.

“Vulnerable citizens are enticed with appointment letters, provided they make a transaction as a guarantee factor in securing permanent employment in DCS. This is a scam filtered with all elements of thuggery,” the department said on Sunday.

Correctional Services has reiterated that there is no requirement for people to pay money when applying for employment in the public service.

“In as much as harsh realities of unemployment may leave citizens vulnerable, we urge people not to fall prey to these scammers.  Those posing as consultants or using online media platforms are fraudsters who must be reported to law enforcement agencies,” the department said.

The department said it has no contract with recruitment or placements agents, or social media platforms.

Employment opportunities in the department are only advertised in the mainstream media and via the departmental website http://www.dcs.gov.za/?page_id=52.

“We call upon anyone who may have information on these fraudsters to contact or report the matter to law enforcement agencies, or the anti-corruption hotline 0800 701 701,” the department said.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has once again encouraged all South Africans over the age of 18 to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

This as he announced that the country is expected to enter a fourth wave of the virus in November.

The Minister updated the nation on efforts to fight COVID-19 and government’s vaccination rollout plans on Friday during a virtual briefing.

“We have opened [vaccinations] for everybody above 18 years old. We urge everybody to please come forward so that we can all be protected. We know that it is almost accepted that somewhere towards the end of the year, we will have the fourth wave and we want to make sure that all South Africans are protected against that by taking the vaccination,” he said.

As of yesterday, 12 711 more COVID-19 cases were reported, with an increase of at least 357 more COVID-19 related deaths.

In the last 24 hour period, at least 265 484 more COVID-19 vaccines were administered.

The Minister said the number of vaccines administered on Thursday was an indication that the health sector is able to reach its target of administering 300 000 vaccinations per day.

He said despite early indications of vaccine hesitancy, the male population had now begun to take up inoculation.

“As of yesterday, the female vaccinated population was 58.5% and the male was at 41.5%. So there’s and improvement on the male uptake, which we really encourage.

“The last seven days have shown that as a country, we do have the capacity to administer vaccines and we do have the necessary supplies. It shows that we can indeed reach the… target which has been set for us by President Cyril Ramaphosa,” he said.

At least 1.5 million doses of either the Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines were administered over the past week.

A total of 8.8 million South Africans have received at least one vaccination, with 5 450 000 fully vaccinated.

Phaahla raised concern that the third wave of the virus is taking longer to subside than the first two, which could be harmful to health services with the fourth wave looming.

“The third wave is dragging for longer. Sometimes it looks like there will be a steep downwards [trend] and then it rises again. In the absence of new variants, what this means is that many of us are not observing the prescribed precautions.

“The risk of this is that by the time the fourth wave comes – which is predicted to come around some time in November, possibly driven by a new variant – it may find us still at the tail end of the third wave, which will mean that our health facilities and our health workers would not have had much rest. This is something that is worrying and we urge all South Africans to observe the known protocols,” Phaahla said.

The Minister said the virus may still be a factor in the near future and the best solution is to achieve herd immunity through vaccination.

“It’s going to take some time and there’s going to be a number of waves but what we are told and what seems to be the route to go is that the more we cover in vaccinations, the less mutations and if there are less mutations and less viral loads of this COVID-19, then there will be less waves coming,” he said.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has called on applicants of the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, who did not collect their R350 grant from the previous cycle, to do so before 31 August 2021.

SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula said the agency still has unclaimed SRD grants approved from the initial phase in May 2020 – April 2021.

Memela-Khambula urged all applicants approved for payment to collect their funds at the Post Office before 31 August 2021.

“If you used somebody else’s cellphone to apply, please check if they received your SMS in July 2021. If the funds are still unclaimed by 31 August, these will be returned to National Treasury to assist with other government priorities,” Memela-Khambula said.

Applicants can check their names on the list available on the SASSA website www.sassa.gov.za and proceed to collect their grants at the nearest Post Office.

Enquiries can be made on 0800 60 10 11 to confirm if there is any outstanding balance.

SASSA successful commenced with paying out the first batch of applicants for the second registration of COVID-19 grant on 25 August 2021. Registration started on 6 August 2021.

With the current backlog that is being experienced at Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs), government is further extending the grace period for the renewal of licences.

“In order to give motorists a fair opportunity to renew their licences, while we are rolling out a number of measures to improve efficiencies and resolve challenges, we have decided to extend further the grace period for the renewal of licences,” Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said on Friday.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in restrictions that led to the closure of DLTCs, which caused backlogs.

Addressing a media briefing, the Minister said nationally, 1 210 965 licences are not yet renewed, out of a total of 2 852 388 expired licences.

This represents 42.4% non-renewal, with 57.6% of all expired licences having been renewed.

“All learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expired during the period that commenced from 26 March 2020 up to and including 31 August 2021, are deemed to be valid, and their validity periods are extended for a further grace period ending on 31 March 2022.

“This extension comes into effect from the date of publication of the Directions in the Government Gazette,” the Minister said.

Considering that Gauteng poses the biggest challenge due to the large population of motorists, and the fact that it remains the only province that has extensively deployed the online booking system, specific actions have been identified to tackle challenges specific to the province.

Gauteng has experienced serious capacity challenges which result in, among other things, the non-availability of booking slots to those who intend to renew their licences.

“In addition to the interventions the province and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) are making in arresting the corruption that has bedevilled the system, additional capacity will be added through the opening of two Driving Licence Testing Centres operated by the RTMC at Waterfall Park in Midrand and Eco Park in Centurion.

“These two centres will open their doors on 1 October 2021 and will operate seven days a week, from 7am to 9pm. The operationalisation of these centres will add 35 380 renewal slots per month and increase Gauteng capacity for renewal slots by 48%,” the Mbalula said.

He said an email service for Gauteng users who experience difficulties with online bookings and renewing their licences has been activated.

“A new DLTC in Tembisa also opened its doors in July 2021. The RTMC has fitted two buses with state-of-the-art equipment to serve as mobile centres to assist with licence renewals.

“Once the RTMC registration as DLTC has been finalised, these buses will be deployed in Diepsloot and Alexandra. The planned deployment date is 1 October 2021,” Mbalula said.

Moreover, two self-service kiosks are being prepared for testing and should be rolled out by October 2021 to assist those who do not have immediate access to a DLTC.

“As part of the rollout of a bouquet of services to improve customer experience, processes to introduce online payments are advanced and a banking partner has already been appointed.

“While we had agreed with the MECs that operating hours of DLTCs must be extended, a number of provinces have experienced challenges relating to overtime. However, significant progress has been made in this regard,” the Minister said.

In seven of the nine provinces, large registering authorities and DLTCs have extended their operating hours to include Saturdays, and further augmented their human resource capacity.

Challenges are still being experienced in the Northern Cape and the City of Tshwane.

South Africa is expecting to receive at least 2.2 million more Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses at the weekend.

This was announced by Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla on Friday.

The doses were donated by the United States of America via the COVAX facility – an international group lobbying for the equal access to and procurement of vaccines.

Phaahla said the arrival of the vaccine doses would ensure that the country has a stable supply of the vaccine.

“We are grateful to the government of the USA for donating through the COVAX facility another 2.2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccines, which are arriving on Saturday, 28 August 2021, adding to the 5.6 million we received in July. This donation will reinforce our stock levels,” he said.

Meanwhile, Phaahla acknowledged that there have been calls by some for the COVID-19 vaccination to be made mandatory.

“A suggestion has been made by various influential people in society that we should consider a mandatory vaccination policy. This is a matter which we are very reluctant to venture into but it is a matter which we are discussing in various forums,” he said.

The Minister clarified that this is not a proposal government is expected to implement.

“We are discussing under what conditions this might be possible, but in my view… we don’t foresee a kind of regulation or some kind of national government regulation that says everybody must vaccinate.

“We really wouldn’t really want to go that route. But what is possible and what we consider is that where various service providers or areas of entertainment or where people obtain services or even workplaces… there is a possibility that a locally determined requirement can be [made].

“We believe that [is where] it could be done but we don’t foresee where it can be a regulation as part of the Disaster Management [Act] to say it’s compulsory for every adult,” Phaahla said.

The Minister said the possible need for extra shots of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine – which are said to dramatically increase antibodies against COVID-19 – is also under discussion but the current focus remains on rolling out the current vaccines to as much of the population as possible.

“We have referred this to our vaccine Ministerial Advisory Committee to advise us but I must emphasise that our priority at this moment is to make sure that all South African adults, who are willing to get the vaccine, should get a dose as prescribed.

“At this stage, our priority is to make sure that we reach immunity population coverage,” he said.

The Western Cape and Northern Cape have recorded COVID-19 positivity rates above the national average.

This is according to Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, who briefed the nation regarding the virus and government’s vaccination rollout plans.

Phaahla said the country’s overall COVID-19 positivity rate stands at about 19%, with these two provinces showing an average positivity rate that is concerning.

“The Western Cape has an average of 27% positivity rate daily. As of [Thursday], the Northern Cape had 30%. What is worrying is that the Northern Cape’s numbers have remained high relative to its population and that’s why its positivity has remained high over a prolonged period.

“Our epidemiologists and analysts often say the Northern Cape never came out of the second wave, it came straight into the third wave,” the Minister said.

He said an increase in positive cases among the youth in those provinces also raised concern.

“What is worrying is that in both provinces, there have been more younger people between the ages of 10 and 19, who have been testing positive. While some cluster [outbreaks] can be attributed to the opening of schools, there have also been indications that social activities have also had a role to play, such as young people engaging in parties without any precautions,” Phaahla said.

Meanwhile, the Minister reported reductions in new COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions throughout the country.

“Over the last seven days, there has been a 2.2% decrease in new cases, which is a very slow reduction. Admission to hospitals reduced by 0.7% to 13 600 yesterday – small but welcome.

“Over the last seven days, hospitalisation reduced by 3.3%. New cases reduced by 2.2% – again, small but welcome, even though there were increases in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Free State over the last seven days,” he said.

Youth vaccine uptake

Despite this, the Minister said the uptake of the vaccine by South Africans between the ages of 18 and 34 is showing great promise, with at least 460 173 people in that cohort being vaccinated.

“Seven days ago, we opened up for registration and vaccination of everybody over 18 years, meaning the 18 – 34 [could get vaccinated]. The response of our young people, who are the future of our country, has been overwhelming.

“We urge our young people to continue to come forward, and to also encourage their parents, older friends and relatives to also come forward because we still have a major gap to cover, especially the over 50 and the 35 plus [population group],” Phaahla said.