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The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Western Cape Agriculture Department, have jointly confirmed an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Western Cape.

The outbreak has been reported in the Western Cape for the first time.

Two small-holding farms in Mfuleni, North of Khayelitsha, were found to be positive for ASF, after laboratory testing of samples from dead pigs.

“Approximately 5% of pigs had died on each of the two properties and the disease has the potential to kill all pigs on a farm. A ban has been placed on the sale and movement of live pigs from Mfuleni, to limit the spread of the disease,” said the departments in a joint statement on Friday.

A survey has been initiated by the Western Cape Veterinary Services to determine the extent of the spread of the disease in Mfuleni and the immediate surrounding area.

This includes the collection of further samples from any dead pigs from any suspect farm.

“The origin of the outbreak is still unknown but the clues may be provided by the study of the specific virus detected and by information provided by affected farmers.”

Farmers have been requested to be vigilant and to report any sudden illnesses and deaths of their pigs to the local State Veterinary office immediately, so that swift action can be initiated to prevent the spread of the disease.

Provinces affected by ASF

Since 2019, the provinces outside the ASF controlled area affected by the disease have been Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State, North West, Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.

“In 2021 thus far, there have been numerous outbreaks in Gauteng reported in the Randfontein, Tembisa and Midvaal areas. The latest outbreak in the Free State was reported in January 2021, where contact with warthog is suspected to have played a role.

“In North West, the latest ASF outbreak was reported in the Potchefstroom area in February 2021, after a smallholder experienced high pig mortalities. Investigations into the source and spread of this outbreak have been initiated. Within the ASF controlled area, a single outbreak was also reported in the Thabazimbi area of Limpopo in February 2021.”

The disease is transmitted to pigs by contact with infected wild or domestic pigs, and contact with contaminated people, vehicles, equipment or shoes, and eating contaminated food waste, feed, or garbage, or by being bitten by infected soft ticks.

The departments have urged owners to improve their biosecurity measures and to be very vigilant on good husbandry practices.

Biosecurity prevents African swine fever

Farmers can keep their pigs safe by following these recommendations:

• Enclose pigs to prevent contact with pigs of unknown health status, including wild pigs and warthogs.
• Only buy healthy pigs from a reliable source.
• Preferably, do not feed kitchen waste, but if you have no option, remove all meats and cook the kitchen waste thoroughly.
• Do not allow visitors to have contact with your pigs.
• Before having contact with pigs, wash hands, only use clean clothes, shoes, equipment and vehicles (that have not been in contact with other pigs).

No risk to humans

ASF does not affect humans said the departments adding that the consumption of pork is safe; however, any meat and products from affected pigs can be a source of infection to other pigs.

“Farmers should ensure that, if any swill is fed to pigs, it must be pre-cooked for at least an hour. This will ensure the inactivation of the ASF virus, as well as other diseases of concern.”.

South Africa on Sunday reported 1 168 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, down from 1447 the previous day, data from the Health Department showed.

According to the latest figures, 52 patients died from Coronavirus in the space of 24 hours.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said 25 fatalities occurred in Gauteng, four each in the Eastern Cape and Free State and two in KwaZulu-Natal, pushing the death toll to 49 993.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased patient,” he added.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 1 513 393, while 1 430 259 people have been healed from COVID-19 representing a recovery rate of 94.5%.

The country is now home to 33 141 active cases of which 9 734 are in KwaZulu-Natal, 6 487 in Free State, 6 168 in the Western Cape, 3 482 in Gauteng, 2 443 in the Northern Cape and 2 308 in the North West, 1 171 active cases are in Mpumalanga, 937 in Limpopo and 411 in the Eastern Cape.

The information is based on the 9 077 479 tests of which 22 836 were performed since the last report.

According to Mkhize, the number of healthcare workers who have received the Johnson & Johnson jab is 70 527 since the vaccination programme started two weeks ago.

Addressing the country about the latest COVID-19 developments, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa has emerged from the second wave.

“New infections, admissions to hospital and deaths have fallen significantly and continue to decline steadily,” President Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

The President told the nation that the country recorded just under 10 000 new infections last week.

“A month ago, in the last week of January, the country recorded over 40 000 new cases. And a month before that, in the last week of December, the country recorded close to 90 000 new cases.”

He believes that the “dramatic decline” in cases over eight weeks is due to a combination of the public health measures introduced, changes in behaviour and accumulating immunity in those who became infected in our communities.

“We were able to emerge from the second wave because most people adhered to the tighter restrictions and observed the basic health protocols, including wearing masks in public and social distancing,” he added.

Due to the decline in infections, he said the country could now ease some of the restrictions on movement and activity under Alert Level 1 lockdown regulations.

The World Health Organisation is reporting 113 467 303 confirmed global cases of COVID-19, including 2 520 550 deaths, to date.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has expressed shock at the gunning down of two police officers in the Kraaifontein, in the Western Cape, on Saturday.

The murders now bring to six the number of police officers killed in the country in the last ten days.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Ministry said the Kraaifontein station officers were shot and killed in an ambush while patrolling. They both died on the scene and were robbed of their official firearms.

These deaths come just days after four officers, three of whom were off-duty, were killed in KwaZulu-Natal.

Chatsworth officer Constable Ndlovu who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence incident, was laid to rest at the weekend.

While delivering the keynote address at the officers’ send-off, Cele told mourners that the latest police killings have left those in the service shocked and shaken.

“While it is a dark time for us in the police right now, we will not be deterred by these cowardly acts. Let me remind police officers that when they go out there to enforce law and order, the law is on your side to respond decisively when confronted by criminals and use deadly force to defend yourself,” said the Minister.

Cele reiterated his call for crimes committed against police to be met with harsher punishment, saying members in blue are national assets that must be protected at all cost. He also condemned the loss of civilian life due to ongoing gang violence in the Western Cape.

“On Friday, a teenager was shot and killed while sitting outside her home in Grassy Park in Cape Town. It is believed the 15-year-old was caught in a cross fire between rival gangs. A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder,” reads the statement.

In Mitchells Plain, detectives are probing the shooting incident which left four male victims fatally wounded and one injured. The victims, aged 30, 36, 37 and 64 were gunned down at close range.

The Ministry said it is alleged that unknown suspects opened fire at the group and fled the scene on foot.

In the statement, Cele calls on communities to also step up their fight against crime by providing information that can assist in police investigations.

“While the onus lies on the police to prevent, combat and investigate crime, communities have a role to play in flushing out crime, as the criminals committing these heinous acts come from the communities we serve, so the time to improve community and police relations is now and by doing so, I am confident that we can sanitise our streets of criminality and all its formations,” said the Minister.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has urged the country’s district municipalities to alert its local councils of the increasing number of COVID-19 infections that could lead to districts being declared a hotspot.

This comes after a Cabinet decision upon recommendation of Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and Dlamini-Zuma, as designated under section 3 and 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002.

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on Sunday, Dlamini-Zuma gazetted the notice to move the country from Alert level 3 to Level 1 with effect from 1 March 2021, and gazetted amendments to directions relating to Alert Level 1.

“All district municipalities must, after consultation with its local municipalities in its area, alert communities within that district of the increasing number of infections that could lead to that district being declared a hotspot,” said the department in a statement.

The amendment will see industries, businesses and entities, both private and in the public sector, operate within the Alert Level 1 regulations as gazetted.

“Every person is confined to observe curfew time from midnight until 4am daily, unless a person has a permit,” read the statement.

The department said it was important to note that even as the country has moved to Level 1and economic activities will increase, the wearing of a face mask which covers the nose and mouth, still remain mandatory.

The regulations stipulate that funerals be limited to 100 persons or less.

“If the venue is too small to hold the prescribed number of persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other, then not more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used, subject to strict adherence to all health protocols and all persons maintaining a distance of one and a half metres from each other.”

In addition, night vigils or after-funeral gatherings, including “after-tears” gatherings are not allowed.

“All people attending gatherings, should endeavour to limit exposure to COVID-19 by adhering to all protocols and regulations.”

The country’s 20 land borders which are fully operational, will remain as such while the 33 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the public service must be staffed by men and women who are professional, skilled, selfless and honest.

“They must be committed to upholding the values of the Constitution, faithfully serve no other cause than that of the public,” President Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter on Monday.

Over the past two weeks, public consultations have been underway on an important policy document that will give greater impetus to efforts to bolster, strengthen and capacitate the civil service.

“The draft National Implementation Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service aims to build a state that better serves our people, that is insulated from undue political interference and where appointments are made on merit.

“The framework was approved by Cabinet in November last year and structured consultation with various sectors of society are now underway,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said often people are hired into and promoted to key positions for which they are neither suitable nor qualified.

“This affects government performance, but also contributes to nepotism, political interference in the work of departments, lack of accountability, mismanagement and corruption.

“There is also the related problem of political and executive interference in the administration of the public service. One need only to look at the instability in government departments when senior managers are swopped or replaced each time a new Minister is appointed.

“Directors-General and provincial heads of departments are particularly affected. In some departments, DGs, HoDs and executive managers have had stability of tenure, enabling the departments to function with little disruption,” President Ramaphosa said.

In most departments where there is leadership stability, audit outcomes tend to be positive and public funds can be accounted for.

“Where there is a high turnover of heads of department, there is often administrative turmoil,” the President said.

One of the key recommendations made in the draft framework is that the public service must be depoliticised and that government departments be insulated from politics.

“Professionalisation is necessary for stability in the public service, especially in the senior ranks. Public servants must be able to continue doing their jobs regardless of any changes of Ministers, Members of the Executive Council or Councillors within the governing party in charge of the administration, or changes to political parties after elections.

“We are proposing a number of far-reaching reforms, such as extending the tenure of Heads of Department based on merit and performance, doing occupation-based competency assessments and involving the Public Service Commission in the interviews of Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General.

“Introducing integrity tests for all shortlisted individuals will help so that we can recruit civil servants who can serve honestly. We also need to extend the compulsory entrance exams that we introduced in April 2020 beyond senior management. Successful developmental states have similar measures which help advance professionalism within the public service,” President Ramaphosa said.

Government is suggesting a more rigorous approach towards recruitment and selection of public servants, induction and performance management.

“This includes continuous learning and a clear professional development path for every public servant,” the President said.

He explained that the draft Framework puts emphasis on the need to hold public servants accountable for irregularities, to do away with a culture of impunity in the mismanagement and misappropriation of state resources.

“Professionalising the public service involves training for accounting officers across all spheres of government on the applicable legislative provisions.

“Professionalism is not only about having the right qualifications and technical skills, but also about having appropriate standards of respect, courtesy and integrity in dealing with members of the public,” the President said.

The public service is diverse with a huge range of skills, qualifications and capabilities and many public servants have specialised skills that are necessary for the effective provision of services.

“It is therefore not necessarily the case that we need a smaller public service; what we actually need is a fit-for-purpose public service with suitable skills, a professional ethic and a commitment to serving the people.

“The men and women of the public service need to be capacitated to play their role in driving development and consolidating democracy. This is our best guarantee of a capable state that serves the interests of citizens,” President Ramaphosa said.

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has welcomed the appointment of Nomkhita Mona as the new Chief Executive Officer of the South African Post Office (SAPO) for a five-year term.

“She will play a leading role in making sure that the Post Office continues its turnaround momentum and to render an impeccable service to South Africans. As the shareholder we will give Mona every support she needs in order for her to succeed,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said in a statement on Monday.

Cabinet announced Mona’s appointment to the position– that has been vacant since 2019– last week.

Mona boasts a wealth of experience in both the private and public sectors with more than 15 years’ experience at executive level.

The Minister said the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn had a marked effect on the revenues of the Post Office.

The SAPO has implemented long-term initiatives to diversify its income. These have started to show results while quick solutions that will improve its income in the short-term have also been identified.

“The South African Post Office is a key stakeholder in delivering on government developmental objectives of improving access to basic services in previously underserviced communities.

“Its network is currently the largest point of presence nationally and is able to connect government, businesses and citizens anywhere in South Africa.

“Mona’s appointment comes at a time when the post office is faced with financial challenges that have continued from the 2018/2019 financial year, amid a constrained fiscus. She takes on the responsibility of stabilising the Post Office. I have no doubt that she will be equal to the task,” the Minister said.

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, wants law enforcement to take urgent action after a social worker was hijacked at gunpoint at the Social Development offices in Eshowe, last Thursday.

The social worker was assisting survivors of the Khumalo family massacre with psychosocial services after the shooting of six members at their Eshowe home.

The suspect in the shooting is a social worker based at the Ongoye office in Esikhaleni and is said to be related to the family he brutally massacred.

He has appeared at Inkanyezi Magistrate Court and the matter was adjourned to 5 March 2021.

However on Thursday, 25 February, the social worker who had been dispatched to assist the surviving family members was hijacked before handing over the matter to his colleagues at the Inanda office, and had not yet completed his assignment.

“We did not expect that a social worker can be involved in such a horrific incident that wiped out a family. At this stage, we don’t know what could have led to such an incident, but we want to give assurance to the Khumalo family that government feels their pain and will support them throughout their painful journey.

“It is equally painful that we assigned one of our social workers to provide support to some family members, who were moved to Inanda after the horrendous incident, and was hijacked.

“[The assigned social worker] was supposed to hand over the matter to his colleagues at the Inanda office but was hijacked at gunpoint on the premises before completing his assignment,” Khoza said.

The deceased, including two pensioners – Christopher (70) and his wife Octavia (63), Mbali (29), Thabo (10), Sinothile (18) and eight-year-old Langelihle Sigampu, were gunned down while watching television in the lounge.

The suspect allegedly stormed into the Khumalo homestead on Saturday, 20 February and opened fire. He was later arrested in Greytown last week Monday. According to media reports, a family dispute is said to be at the centre of the massacre.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged the private sector to buy local goods in an effort to create jobs in the country.

“We really need our corporates to come on board for us to build strong local capabilities. We are not asking corporates to buy goods for the sake of buying locally. We are saying that they should buy local quality goods that can compete with the ones that they are importing and that creates much needed jobs in the country,” the President said on Thursday.

He was addressing a webinar on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives supported by the Department of Small Business Development.

“To achieve an inclusive economy we need to more effectively support the growth of vibrant and sustainable small, medium and micro enterprises and cooperatives.”

In his address to the webinar, the President said one of the key elements of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is localisation and that government expects SMMEs and co-operatives to play a central role in driving localisation.

He said some work has already been done by the Department of Small Business Development to introduce SMMEs and co-operatives to wholesalers and retailers.

“The department is already supporting those that need assistance with certification, quality improvements, compliance and the like. There is really no excuse for not buying locally.

“To enable SMMEs and cooperatives to meet the potential demand, our Manufacturing Scheme is supporting these enterprises to build capacity to supply products in the right quality and quantity,” the President said.

Government has set aside targets for designated groups to help those who in the past were locked out of playing a role in the economy.

“At least 40% must go to women-owned enterprises, 30% to youth-owned enterprises and 7% to companies owned by persons with disabilities. These targets apply across government and all departments are expected to deliver on them,” the President said.

Business Viability Scheme

Meanwhile, the department has developed a Business Viability Scheme that will help to position SMMEs to drive economic recovery.

“I am impressed with the targeted interventions the department has extended to help enterprises in townships and rural areas. We need to accelerate the implementation of the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme, which will bring a lot more people into the mainstream economy,” said President Ramaphosa.

Recognising the particular needs of different types of businesses, the department has customised interventions for different sub-sectors. These include sectors such as automotive, personal care, clothing and textiles, bakeries and confectioneries, tshisanyamas and cooked food, fruit and vegetable vendors, butcheries and spaza shops.

“Through the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme we are providing both financial support and business development assistance.

“The other critical mandate of this department is driving entrepreneurship, particularly youth entrepreneurship,” the President said.

Supporting business during the pandemic

When the whole world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic last year, government introduced interventions to assist businesses that were affected.

The Department of Small Business Development, together with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), reprioritised over R500 million to establish the SMME Debt Relief Scheme.

“This was to help small businesses stay afloat during this difficult time. It has been reported that, as a result of the funds paid out under this scheme, over 23,000 jobs were saved.

“Of the SMMEs approved for support, 67% were black owned, 33% were female owned and 21% were owned by young people. It is a concern, however, that only 0.3% were owned by persons with disabilities,” the President said.

The SEFA extended payment holidays on capital and interest payments of up to six months to 220 direct lending clients and six wholesale lending clients.

The total value of interest and capital repayments foregone by SEFA was approximately R106 million, resulting in over 37,000 jobs being saved.

“Given the limitation of resources it is commendable that so many businesses received support within such a short space of time. To some of these enterprises this has been life support,” Ramaphosa said

As the country makes the transition from relief to recovery, the President said it is critical for government to continue to provide support to enable companies to recover.

“We therefore set up major schemes like the credit guarantee scheme of R200 billion. At the same time, we need to introduce new business processes, technologies and equipment to assist them to adjust to the new reality,” the President said.

Cabinet has, at its ordinary meeting the week, approved the Land Court Bill and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill of 2021, among others.

“Cabinet approved the submission of the Land Court Bill to Parliament for processing. The Bill establishes a specialist Land Court, with its judgements, orders and decisions appealable at the proposed specialist Land Court of Appeal,” said Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Thursday.

The Bill will resolve the challenges that were experienced under the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act 22 of 1994) such as backlogs in land claims and dispute resolution mechanisms when disputes arise.

It will also contribute towards the implementation of the Land Reform Programme.

The Minister, briefing media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, said Cabinet had approved the submission of the Gas Amendment Bill of 2020 to Parliament.

The proposed Bill seeks to align the gas industry to, among other things, new transportation technologies of natural and unconventional gases that were not catered for in the current Gas Act, 2001 (Act 48 of 2001).

“The amendments, which have been fully consulted with all the relevant stakeholders, will contribute to the ongoing investment infrastructure to ensure diversity of the country’s energy mix,” said the Minister.

She said the Bill will undergo further parliamentary consultation processes to ensure it is widely endorsed for implementation once passed into law.

Ntshavheni said Cabinet has also approved the publication for public comment of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill of 2021.

The proposed amendments seek to address the weaknesses that are in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act 4 of 2000). The proposed amendments will strengthen its ability to prevent discrimination and promote equality for all South Africans, as enshrined in Section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996.

She said the Bill will be gazetted and made available through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s website at www.justice.gov.za.

The South African Postbank Amendment Bill of 2020 was also approved for public comment. The Bill amends the current South African Postbank Limited Act, 2010 (Act 9 of 2010).

The Bill provides for the establishment of the South African Postbank Holding Company in terms of the Banks Act, 1990 (Act 94 of 1990).

Ntshavheni said the company will provide for the inclusion of financially excluded members of the public to participate meaningfully in the economic activities.

“It will also provide a facility for some of government’s financial services.”

The Department of Social Development is expected to make payments to beneficiaries of the Early Childhood Development Employment – Stimulus Relief Grant (ECD-ESRF) in the first week of March.

Addressing a media briefing on Friday, Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, said her department has received R496 million to assist the sector, as it is amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic.

The department launched the ECD-ESRF on 5 February 2021, which is supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus initiative.

“We have now received over 27 000 applications from ECD programmes, with over 117 000 employees recorded. For all ECD programmes that have already applied, we would encourage you to use your reference number in the new web-form to review your application and make sure all the details are correct.

“We also encourage all ECD services that are currently unfunded, not receiving a subsidy from any provincial Department of Social Development and that had to register on the Central Supplier database (CSD) to please ensure that their bank verification has been successful. This is because we will only be able to process applications of applicants who have had successful bank verifications,” the Minister said.

The Minister was briefing members of the media  on various social relief measures that the department is implementing to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable groups.

These measures include the ECD Stimulus Package, and the Special COVID-19 SRD [Social Relief of Distress] Grant.

Zulu also provided progress on the application for and payment of the Temporary Disability Grant, and funding for civil society organisations implementing victim empowerment programmes, amongst others.

Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant

During his State of the Nation Address this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the extension of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) grant for a further three months.

The application channels for the website and WhatsApp were reopened on 13 February.

“Since then, a total of 65 795 new applications have been received. The 9.7 million that have already applied will continue to be reassessed monthly, and qualifying applicants will continue to be paid.

“About six million beneficiaries receive this grant on a monthly basis,” the Minister said.

The department has spent over R17 billion thus far on this grant, benefiting those in need of direct income.

“We anticipate that by the end of the extended period, we would have spent over R22 billion to support this group of beneficiaries,” Zulu said.

Disability grants

The Minister said disability grants are the most vulnerable to fraud.

Eleven people were arrested in Limpopo last week for disability related fraud.

“As at 23 February 2021, a total of 118 581 clients have been booked for assessments, while 79 924 have already completed the assessment process.  From these, 61 955 applications have already been completed,” the Minister said.

Clients whose applications were declined can lodge an appeal against this decision and they can contact South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offices for assistance.

“I would like to remind everyone that a temporary disability grant is given for a specific period, which is medically informed.  Therefore, there is genuine expectation that the person who received the grant will not necessarily continue to qualify for this grant.

“Those who still require the grant need to re-apply and the decision will be made, based on an updated medical assessment and confirmation that the applicant still meets the qualifying criteria, as set in legislation,” Zulu said.

To date, the National Development Agency (NDA) has spent over R21.2 million towards the funding of the Volunteer Programme.

“We have paid stipends to about 2 000 people, who otherwise were not working. We created employment opportunities and training for our volunteers, with the majority of them being young people.

“We think that this is significant, especially in light of the recent unemployment rates, as per the Quarterly Labour Force Survey announced by the Statistician-General earlier this week,” the Minister said.