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Owing to the soaring COVID-19 infections currently sweeping the country, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the temporary closure of tax branches from physical visits as from 1 July.

This comes as the country’s seven-day moving average of positive COVID-19 infections surpassed 12 000 cases. On Wednesday alone, 17 493 infections and 166 deaths were recorded.

In terms of the Disaster Management Act, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) remains an essential service.

“We have always stressed the importance of balancing the continuity of this service with the risk of transmission.

“With the rising case numbers and the onset of the third wave peak of the pandemic, we have decided to close our tax branches temporarily for physical visits as from 1 July.”

The revenue collector said it was able to embark on this measure as its digital platforms had demonstrated the ability to meet obligations efficiently online.

The temporary closure of the tax branches is not anticipated to affect the start of the Filing Season for individuals who traditionally file via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. These taxpayers are encouraged to continue doing so digitally, starting from 1 July 2021.

SARS reiterated that branch filing would not commence on 1 July.

“At this stage, we plan to commence physical branch visits on 16 August, but will review this continuously. Taxpayers are advised not to come to a SARS branch. The branches will be closed until an announcement is made confirming the reopening date.

“During the branch closures, taxpayers who require assistance to file online will be assisted telephonically with the support of dedicated SARS staff,” said SARS.

All Customs Ports of Entry will be open for frontline customs operations, but not for face-to-face client engagement other than for clearance and inspection purposes.

In line with its commitment to modernise systems and make it easy for taxpayers to meet their tax obligations, SARS said it would continue to use technology to ensure continued service to taxpayers in a manner that ensures both the safety of employees as well as taxpayers.

Members of the public can make bookings for virtual appointments via the SARS website on: https://www.sars.gov.za/contact-us/make-an-appointment/; and sending an SMS to 47277 with the word “Booking” and passport/ID number/Asylum permit number and a SARS agent will contact them to arrange a booking on their behalf.

During this period, the SARS Contact Centre (0800 00 7277) will continue to service any queries from members of the public.

“SARS will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and keep all South African taxpayers informed of any changes to these arrangements.”

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza has raised concern over continuous incidents of abuse of older people in communities.

This follows the rescue of an elderly person who was found locked in the house without food in Lindelani, north of Durban.

It is alleged that a terrified passer-by heard screams and cries of an elderly person pleading for help coming from a house.

Upon investigating the locked house, people noticed an old person identified as Sizakele Siziba, aged 76, sleeping on the bed.

It is alleged that Siziba, who resided with her grandchild, was left alone in a terrible condition, and at times she relied on neighbours to provide her food.

Khoza said the department is not expecting that senior citizens suffer such abuse from their own children.

“It is disheartening that we find ourselves in this situation because we always encourage people to inform us if they are unable to take care of senior citizens,” Khoza said.

Khoza dispatched a team of social, who immediately removed Siziba to an old age home. She said Siziba will be provided with the necessary psychosocial support, including debriefing and trauma counselling.

“Although social workers are still going to conduct an investigation, based on what was shared with us by the public, including the video circulating on social media, our team has removed Gogo Siziba to a safer and more comfortable environment.

“However, removing her is not good enough. We also want to know who has been using her old age grant. These grants are an intervention to cushion old persons from poverty. It is a crime for anyone to take the pension of an older person and fail to provide food for them,” the MEC said.

She also warned that if anyone found to have been taking the pension of the old person, and using it for themselves, they need to be arrested.

“We will open a criminal case against the person while ensuring that this grandmother gets a new South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) card to collect her grant,” Khoza said.

The MEC said the department shares the pain of old persons who suffer in the hands of those who are supposed to protect them.

“We will continue to give them our unwavering support, while ensuring removal of those found in unpleasant situations and place them at old age homes to ensure their welfare, healthcare and safety.

The MEC emphasised that the department is a custodian for the protection of vulnerable groups, and will work closely with the police to ensure that any person who violates the rights of children, older persons and persons with disabilities, gets arrested.

“Indeed, one cannot pass judgement on the situation of the old person rescued from the Lindelani house, but nothing can ever justify leaving her in a locked house without anything to eat, while government pays her grant on a monthly basis,” Khoza said.

Parents and caregivers who wish to enrol their children for the 2022 school year in the Western Cape have until midnight to confirm their final choice of school.

Western Cape Education spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said the department will on Friday evening implement the next stage of the 2022 admissions process.

The department earlier reported that over 20 000 learners were accepted to more than one school for 2022.

Hammond said over 20 000 places at schools will be made available to learners who were unsuccessful at a particular school, with 50% of these being learners in Grade 8.

Should parents fail to decide which school they will accept or decline, automatic placement in the first successful school, based on their order of preference as submitted on the website.

“The department needs to know which schools have places available so we can assist learners who have not received a notification of placement,” Hammond said.

Parents can log onto https://admissions.westerncape.gov.za/admissions/login , then go to “Track Application Status”, select name of learner and then under “Application Status”, it will inform the parent as to whether their application was successful, unsuccessful or that the learner has been placed on the waiting list.

The parent must then either “Withdraw” or “Confirm” their application.

“Once they have confirmed acceptance at a school, parents must print and submit a copy of the application, as well as certified copies of the supporting documents to the school within seven days of confirming on the system with the school or district office, if they have not already submitted hard copies to the school.

“This will assist the department to know which schools have places available so we can assist learners who have not received a notification of placement,” Hammond explained.

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with 16 078 new infections reported on Thursday, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Gauteng remains the epicentre, accounting for the majority of 9 521 new cases (59%), followed by 1 912 in the Western Cape (12%).

According to the public health institution, this surge represents a 24.5% positivity rate, pushing the country’s caseload to 1 877 143.

To date, 59 406 have lost their lives to COVID-19 after 148 more fatalities were recorded.

“An increase of 607 hospital admissions have been reported in the past 24 hours,” said the NICD.

This means there are now 10 736 ill patients receiving treatment in hospitals for Coronavirus across the country out of the 141 910 people who are currently infected.

According to the NICD, of these 7 100 are admitted at private health institutions.

The information is based on the 12 769 052 test of which 65 631 were conducted the previous day.

In addition, 115 016 COVID-19 jabs were administered in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 2 550 248.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are now 179 241 734 confirmed global cases of COVID-19, 3 889 723 deaths and 2 624 733 776 administered jabs.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has affirmed that the province is stepping up its vaccination rollout programme.

“We urge more residents, who are 60 years and older, to register for vaccination. The more people who get vaccinated for COVID-19, the more we will get closer to the end of the pandemic,” Makhura said.

Addressing media in Johannesburg on Thursday, Makhura said the provincial leadership has reiterated calls for stricter, targeted and localised restrictions for the next two weeks.

Makhura said in anticipation of more people getting infected and who will need to be hospitalised, the provincial government has taken a decision to reopen some completed sections at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, which was recently damaged by fire.

“Even though the work is not yet complete in some sections, we took the decision to reopen completed sections,” Makhura said.

To ensure that citizens adhere to COVID-19 regulations, the province is going to ensure greater visibility of law enforcement.

“We really have to clamp down on those who disregard the regulations,” Makhura said, adding that the province is going to ramp-up testing, contact tracing and tracking.

More community healthcare workers, the Premier said, will reach out to communities.

“Vaccination is going to be the pillar of fighting COVID-19. I am confident that we are going to get over the third wave,” Makhura said.

Makhura appealed to people to rethink their movements and only leave their homes when necessary.

He urged for the continued use of face masks in public spaces.

Keeping an eye on schools

The Premier assured that the provincial government is closely monitoring schools.

In the past week, 20 schools were closed down due to COVID-19 cases.

Makhura said over 10 000 educators have been vaccinated, with plans to open up more sites for vaccination.

According to Makhura, a total of 584 458 people have been vaccinated in the province since the start of the vaccination programme.

As at 23 June 2021, a total of 373 741 people who are 60 years and older have been vaccinated, which translates to 28% of the targeted population of 1 300 000.

Makhura said a total of 588 727 people in the province, who are over the age of 60 years, are registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).

Makhura said since the start of the vaccination programme, 197 026 (92%) healthcare workers have been vaccinated in Gauteng.

According to Makhura, the province has 195 vaccination sites (which include 56 Johnson & Johnson sites dedicated for educators).

“All public vaccinations sites in Gauteng accept walk-ins of frontline workers and people 60 years and above, whether people are registered on the EVDS or not.

“All persons will be assisted with registration and will be vaccinated, even those who are registered and waiting for SMSes,” Makhura said.

Dr Mary Kawonga, chair of the Premier’s Advisory Council on COVID-19, in her presentation said tighter restrictions are needed to curb infections.

“The pandemic is real. There are things we can do to slow down the pandemic,” she said, further expressing concern on the increasing number of infections in the province due to behavioural factors.

Nomsa Mmope, Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Health, encouraged people who are 60 years and above to register for vaccination.

South Africa recorded the highest ever single-day spike on Wednesday, with 17 493 COVID-19 cases since the start of the third wave.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), of the latest infections, 10 806 were detected in Gauteng (62%), followed by 1 778 in the Western Cape (10%).

South Africa recorded the highest ever single-day spike on Wednesday, with 17 493 COVID-19 cases since the start of the third wave.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), of the latest infections, 10 806 were detected in Gauteng (62%), followed by 1 778 in the Western Cape (10%).

The NICD said the increase in the 24 hours brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 1 861 065, representing a 24.9% positivity rate.

Meanwhile,166 patients succumbed to the respiratory disease, pushing the death toll to 59 258.

There were also 622 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours.

This means there are now 10 497 patients who are receiving treatment at various healthcare institutions out of the 130 416 active cases.

The NICD’s Head of the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, Dr Michelle Groome, said the sharp rise in the reported daily COVID-19 cases is cause for concern, especially in Gauteng where daily infections are exceeding those seen during the previous two waves.

“Ultimately, it is up to each one of us to play our role to reduce the spread of the virus by limiting our interaction with others, as much as possible, during this time,” she added.

NICD Acting Executive Director, Professor Adrian Puren, has stressed that the anecdotes from family and friends are real.

“It is critical to managing our risks and the risk to others, especially the elderly by limiting contact with others and avoiding gatherings with those who are not part of our safe bubble,” he pleaded.

Globally, as of 23 June 2021, there have been 178 837 204 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 3 880 450 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation.

The Department of Basic Education says it is satisfied with the first day of the vaccination programme in the basic education sector, which saw more than 48 000 educators and staff vaccinated.

According to the preliminary report from the Department of Health, more than 48 000 educators and staff were vaccinated on the first day of vaccination on Wednesday.

“This figure excludes the Western Cape and Limpopo, which will start administering the vaccines in earnest on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

“The Western Cape only recorded about 30 people as vaccinated for the purposes of the launch.

“Limpopo didn’t vaccinate [on Wednesday] in line with their plan. The province will vaccinate over two weekends, starting this Friday and Saturday, and will then conclude next week Friday and Saturday,” the department said in a statement.

According to the department, all other provinces started rolling out on Wednesday, with KwaZulu-Natal vaccinating the largest number, with the lowest number vaccinated in the Northern Cape, which decided to send mobile teams to some of their smallest towns to kick-start their campaign.

The department reiterated its call to educators and support staff to adhere to the schedules given by the district offices.

“Strict adherences to health and safety protocols is paramount at all vaccination sites. The vaccination has no age limit for all members of staff and educators in the sector,” the department said.

It also noted that fake news played a major role in some of the challenges experienced on day one of the vaccination.

This includes a WhatsApp message circulated in some provinces, claiming that the Department of Health was going to run out of vaccines, and this led to a rush in some vaccine sites, particularly in the Eastern Cape, North West and Free State.

“The Department of Health has enough doses to cover the target population. Additional doses are on the way to South Africa, and government will be able to conclude the basic education programme within the 14-day period,” the department said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the leaders of all five teacher unions will be in Atteridgeville on Thursday to monitor the vaccination programme.

The union leaders and chief executives of the entities in the sector are also expected to be present at the Atteridgeville Community Centre.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has declined three applications for the environmental authorisation for the development of gas to power via powerships.

In a statement released on Thursday, the department said it has reached a decision on three applications that were submitted in October 2020 by Karpowership SA (Pty) Ltd for an environmental authorisation for the development of gas to power via powerships.

“The Competent Authority in the department has decided, after due consideration of all relevant information presented as part of the environmental impact assessment process for all three applications in question, to refuse the applications for the environmental authorisations.

“The applicant had proposed to locate the three powership projects at the Ports of Richards Bay, Ngqura and Saldanha to generate electricity from natural gas to be evacuated through transmission lines to substations linking to the national grid.

“The powerships were to be assembled off-site and be delivered fully equipped and functional to the different ports,” the department said.

The applications came as a response to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s requests for emergency power supply interventions linked to the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Procurement Programme.

“The Competent Authority in the department adjudicated these applications in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and specific sections of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations,” the department said.

The final reports were submitted to the department for decision-making on 26 April 2021.

The Competent Authority had until 25 June 2021 to reach a decision, as the three projects were classified as Strategic Integrated Projects, which meant the 57-day timeframe, as gazetted in the National Infrastructure Act, applied.

Copies of the Records of Refusal are available directly from Triplo4 or the Competent Authority at EIAadmin@environment.gov.za.

“Should any person wish to lodge an appeal against the decision, they must submit the appeal to the appeal administrator,” the department said.

Government says it has noted with concern how acclaimed international opera singer, Pretty Yende, was treated at the Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France, on Monday.

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the South African Embassy in Paris has since written to French authorities seeking an explanation and thorough investigation into the matter.

This comes after French police at the airport allegedly detained Yenda for almost three hours based on claims that her Italian residence permit was invalid.

The soprano took to Instagram to share about the “police brutality” she experienced at the hands of law enforcement.

“I’ve always read about it on the news and most of my brothers and sister end up being tortured and some fatal cases make headlines and dead bodies suddenly appear with made-up stories,” she wrote on social media.

“I am one of the very lucky ones to be alive to see the day today even with the ill-treatment and outrageous racial discrimination and psychological torture and very offensive racial comments in a country that I’ve given so much of my heart and virtue to.”

The 36-year-old claims that the officials also took all her belongings, including her cell phone, and threatened her.

“It was cold in there and they left me there alone with the landline phone and a piece of paper they gave me to write down phone numbers of those I could call. Most of them refused to address me in English. There were more than 10 police officers I could hear talking and laughing down the hallway.”

The Mpumalanga-born singer said she has a regular residence permit, which allows her to “circulate” outside the Italian territory and valid until 20 September, and indicates that it is issued for self-employment.

“Ms Yende informed the South African Embassy in Paris that she was verbally abused by the police and her rights and dignity were violated during the ordeal,” the department said on Thursday.

According to the DIRCO statement, further to the correspondence by the South African Embassy in Paris, the department will “demarche” the French Ambassador to South Africa based in Pretoria to convey its displeasure at the treatment of Yende.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has urged people involved in illegal mining in KwaHlathi, near Ladysmith, to immediately leave the site, warning that people found there on Thursday will face the full might of the law.

The call follows a report on the outcomes of investigations by a team of experts from the Geoscience Council, which revealed that the stones discovered in KwaHlathi are not diamonds but quartz crystals.

During its ordinary sitting on Wednesday, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council expressed its concerns about reports that illegal mining is still continuing in the area.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, who was chairing the meeting, said the Executive Council expressed its concerns that the crowds in KwaHlathi are in violation of the country’s mining laws and flouting COVID-19 regulations.

The Executive Council also expressed its concerns at the recent steep rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the UThukela District, probably due to the influx of people into the area.

“Government is also concerned that school children are spending time at the illegal mine instead of being at school. There is concern over the long-term environmental degradation, which may lead to flooding in future.

“The provincial government appeals to everyone still involved in illegal mining in KwaHlathi to vacate the site today [Wednesday]. From tomorrow, law enforcement will kick in and whoever remains will face the full might of the law,” Zikalala said.

He said the site will remain cordoned off and inaccessible to members of the public and without permission.

The provincial government reaffirmed its commitment to work even harder to respond to the service delivery needs of KwaHlathi citizens.

The community of KwaHlathi has raised concerns regarding water, roads and other key service delivery needs.

Zikalala said the provincial government plans to visit the area in two weeks’ time to attend to the service delivery needs already identified, and to investigate further economic activities that may be undertaken in the area.