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Another 2 270 people have contracted Coronavirus, bringing the national total to 767 679 since the start of the pandemic.

Official statistics show that 20 903 people have died from COVID-19 related illnesses, with 58 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.

Of the additional fatalities, 28 were recorded in the Eastern Cape, 13 in Free State, nine in the Western Cape and eight in Gauteng.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased patients,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Sunday.

The Eastern Cape remains the epicentre in terms of active cases, with 9 811, followed by the Free State with 7 728, the Western Cape 7 322 and KwaZulu-Natal 6 134.

The Northern Cape has 3 361 active cases, North West 1 195, Mpumalanga 432, Gauteng 361 and Limpopo 333.

The recovery rate is standing at 92.5% after 710 099 patients beat COVID-19.

The statistics are based on the 5 290 966 tests conducted, 21 904 of which were performed since the last report.

Vaccine

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the past four weeks than in the first six months of the pandemic.

“Across Europe and North America, hospitals and ICU units are filling up or full,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, 20 November, Ghebreyesus welcomed the good news from vaccine trials, which he said gives hope towards ending the pandemic.

According to reports, Pfizer and its partner, BioNTech, are filing for emergency authorisation in the United States of their COVID-19 vaccine.

Primary efficacy analysis demonstrates the vaccine to be 95% effective against COVID-19, starting 28 days after the first dose, while the trial showed the vaccine protects 94% of adults over the age of 65.

Ghebreyesus has urged people to continue to use the precautionary tools to “interrupt” the chains of transmission and save lives.

WHO has reported 57 882 183 confirmed global cases of COVID-19, including 1 377 395 deaths, to date.

Eskom says it has been inundated with requests to conduct investigations into scams that purport to sell “cheap electricity” vouchers.

According to the power utility, the dishonest scheme is promoted through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp by duping people into paying for this “cheap electricity” through electronic funds transfers like eWallet and money market.

Thereafter the scammers disappear and leave the customers destitute and out of pocket.

“Eskom is working with several law enforcement agencies to trace and prosecute these unscrupulous individuals. We want to urge the members of public not to fall prey to these crooks, but to report these acts of fraud to the police without delay,” said Eskom’s General Manager for Security, Advocate Karen Pillay.

Eskom is pleading with the public not to fall prey to these crooks.

Meanwhile, cooperation with the law enforcement agencies has already resulted in some arrests and prosecutions are ongoing in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, Eskom said.

“We urge anyone who comes across this criminality to report these acts of fraud to the police.”

Eskom has cautioned customers to refrain from engaging in such acts and to purchase their prepaid electricity vouchers from the registered Eskom vendors.

Customers can anonymously report illegal activities to the toll-free Eskom reporting line 0800 11 27 22.

Contingency plans for matrics are in place in light of the taxi strike currently underway, says the Gauteng Department of Education.

This is after commuters across Gauteng were left stranded this morning after minibus taxi drivers downed tools and blocked roads demanding government deliver on its COVID-19 relief promises.

National Taxi Alliance (NTA) members marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to hand over a memorandum to the Transport Department.

“Law enforcement agencies also undertook to be vigilant and will guard against any intimidation that may occur. Indeed, it’s unfortunate that we will experience such an inconvenience during this critical time of examination,” said the department in a statement on Wednesday.

The provincial department has encouraged parents to arrange alternative transport for matrics.

“All our chief invigilators are empowered to manage such situations, including facilitation of necessary concession,” the department said, adding that candidates must ensure they reach their examination centres.

Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi earlier tweeted that all learners who arrived up to an hour late at exam venues, would be given an opportunity to write.

“You can also write your exam at any school closer to you,” he said, adding that buses can pick up learners in uniform with no costs.

Meanwhile, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), has decided to postpone all the exams that were due to be written today, due to the strike.

“The university would like to apologise for the inconvenience and will communicate new dates for all exams that would have been written today in due course,” the university said, adding that those students already in the exam centres will be allowed to write.

The South African Post Office (SAPO) has revised the list of countries to which their mailing service is  available.

The changes were made in response to stricter lockdown rules introduced in some countries as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe.

“This means that transport connections to and from the affected countries are no longer available,” said the SAPO in a statement on Wednesday.

SAPO has since identified 25 countries which  postal services are currently available:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Czech Republic
• France
• Great Britain
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• India
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kenya
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Singapore
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

SAPO advised customers not to mail items to countries that are not on the list.

“If, however, an article has been posted to a country where the mail service is not available, it will be kept safely and dispatched immediately once transport connections become available,” it said.

Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, has warned Grade 12 learners against committing any transgression during the exams.

Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria on Wednesday, the Minister said the penalty for offences related to examinations are very serious.

“As a learner you can be banned for up to three years from writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam and if you are an employee in the system you could be jailed,” Motshekga said.

The Minister’s remarks follows Monday’s incident of the leaked Mathematics Paper 2 in the early hours of the morning, hours before the paper could be written in eight provinces.

“We are very disappointed that a question paper has been leaked and some learners appear to have had access to it before it was written,” she said.

Department of Basic Education Chief Director of National Assessment and Public Examinations Rufus Poliah said the leakage of the paper does not imply that the entire examination credibility has now been compromised.

“An examination system of the magnitude and size of the South African examination system will experience challenges from time to time. ….Despite the challenges the capacity and the responsiveness of the system to detect these challenges and to respond with the requisite speed and rigor will determine the examination credibility.

“There are mechanisms in place to deal with the examination as a whole. We are confident that we will be able to ensure the rest of the exam goes without major problems,” Poliah said.

The department has assured South Africans that the paper leak will be investigated.

The Grade 12 examinations started on 5 November and will end on 15 December 2020.

“This examination is the largest yet with 1 058 699 [candidates]. The exam is taking place in 8 200 exam centres in all provinces with 80 000 invigilators. Two hundred and sixteen question papers are being written with more than 10 million scripts printed,” the Minister said.

About 45 000 markers have been appointed in 180 marking centres.

“Today is Day 11 of the 30 day examination and up to now 83 papers out of 216 have been written. Logistically all is well except for protests and inclement weather in parts of KwaZulu-Natal,” Motshekga said.

Marking commences on 4 January 2021 with the results being released on 22 February 2021.

“The 2020 academic year will go down as the most challenging, complex and unpredictable. It has required innovation, courage, collaboration, sacrifice and selflessness. I admire the mental strength of our learners in particular and the dedication of our teachers and officials,” the Minister said.

She said initially COVID-19 was a challenge with cases continuing to affect the examination but the collaboration with the Department of Health has helped to allow those infected to write the examination.

“Private invigilators have been appointed to provide where there are challenges. COVID-19 cases remain a concern but our revised safety protocols are helping to manage the impact.

“The exam system is now running with minimum challenges in that regard. We are pleased with the progress made thus far. It seems initial fears and anxiety have now been allayed. We however remain vigilant,” she said.

Challenges experienced during exams

On Wednesday morning, taxi operations in Gauteng came to a standstill; with drivers on strike demanding that government deliver on its COVID-19 relief promises.

“The Gauteng Department of Education has put a backup plan in place for learners and we have allowed late entry into the exam room for those who struggled to get to their schools.

“We have also allowed for candidates who cannot make it to their designated centres to write at their nearest school and provision will be made for extra papers,” Poliah said.

During the exam period, there were also issues with power outages when learners wrote their Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology papers.

“Given our relationship with Eskom we were able to manage this and minimize the disruption and where there were disruptions candidates were moved to alternative venues and the lost time was compensated. All learners for these subjects were able to complete their examinations,” he said.

During protest action in the Western Cape when roads were closed, a number of learners got to school late and they were accommodated.

“All schools were able to write the exam in the Western Cape. Those learners who missed the exam on this day will be able to write a second opportunity examination.

“A phenomenon that we have had previously, that seems to be resurfacing is what we refer to as imposter. An imposter is sometimes referred to as a ghost candidate. Technically what happens during this situation is one other individual or adult decides to write on behalf of the registered candidate,” Poliah said.

Two cases of this nature were identified. In one of the cases the ‘ghost candidate’ was identified on entrance and was apprehended by police. In the second case, the suspect managed to escape.

“There has been a significant reduction in crib notes and that’s a positive sign,” he said.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will open and begin processing the latest and last round of COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme Benefits (COVID-19 TERS) applications on 23 November 2020 and close on 31 December 2020, the UIF announced on Tuesday.

This follows last week’s announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the COVID-19 TERS benefits would be extended by another month.

The extension has been subject to robust discussions with social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

Acting UIF Commissioner Marsha Bronkhorst said the receipt of COVID-19 TERS applications for 16 September 2020 to 15 October 2020 will close on 31 December, and “no further applications shall be accepted beyond that date”.

This period covers the following categories of employees whose employers are:

• Not permitted to commence operations under the Disaster Management Regulations;
• Unable to make alternative arrangements for vulnerable workers, such as working from home or taking special measures under the OHS Direction to protect them; and
• Unable to make use of their services because of operational requirements caused by compliance with the Regulations and Directions such as rostering, staggering working hours, short time and introduction of shift systems.

The application process remains the same for the extension period and all claims must be lodged via the online portal https://uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19//

“As with previous claim processes, to apply in the new period, employers are required to upload similar documentation that include signed approval or acceptance letter, bank confirmation letter, proof of payment to employees and refund to the UIF – if applicable,” Bronkhorst said.

In keeping with strict governance principles, Bronkhorst said UIF will still subject payments to bank verification before releasing the funds into the applicant’s accounts.

“The immediate past has taught us that even under the pandemic, criminals are at large and looking to benefit through their nefarious means. We have an obligation to do everything in our power to ensure that funds are not paid into the incorrect accounts,” Bronkhorst said.

The COVID-19 TERS Relief Scheme was established to assist employees who lost income due to the Coronavirus and the regulations limiting economic activity during the various levels of the lockdown.

Since March 2020, just over R52 billion has been disbursed in 11.5 million payments through over one million employers.

An electrical fault which partly burnt the Thohoyandou Labour Centre in Vhembe District, Limpopo, on Tuesday, has led to the closure of the building.

Department of Employment and Labour’s Chief Director for Provincial Operations, Johannah Machaba said that inspectors closed the labour centre following a complaint by employees about the fault which included flying sparks, the smell of burning cables, overloading of the electrical fire that resulted in the burning of some parts of the building.

“Inspectors closed the building because it contravened the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993 as the electrical fault posed immediate danger to both the staff and clients,” Machaba said.

The department has since put the following measures in place:

• The inspectorate officials will work from home but continue conducting inspections;
• Other officials will report to the nearest labour centres; and
• Public Employment Services officials will continue working from home.

Machaba said that the closure has prompted the department to seek alternative accommodation.

Until then, clients are advised to use alternative labour centres in Malamulele, which is approximately 30 kilometres away or Makhado which is also approximately 80 kilometres away.

Machaba said that the provincial office is also investigating setting up a mobile office, while the source of the electrical fault is being investigated and addressed.

“As a department, we would like to apologise for the inconvenience the closure will cause to our clients. But we appeal for their understanding because we would not want them to be placed in danger until we have finalised and sorted out the electrical problem. While this temporary arrangement will negatively impact service delivery, the health and safety of our clients is a priority,” she said.

Machaba added that the closure of the office comes during a difficult time for the nation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Limpopo is a rural province and most of our clients are not technology savvy, but I am encouraging those who have access to utilise our online services until the matter is resolved,” she said.

The Vaal Dam has recorded an increase in levels for the second consecutive week, signalling that the recent heavy showers are steadily replenishing the dam after a long-running period of decline.

“Inching up from last week’s levels of 30.2%, the dam has significantly risen to 35.7% this week. If the present rise in the levels of the dam is anything to go by, the dam will be in a reasonably stable position and even surpass the levels of last year during the same time when it stood at 43.7%,” the Department of Water and Sanitation said on Wednesday.

The increase provides a welcoming respite given the strategic significance of the Vaal Dam, which supplies water to the populous and economic heartbeat of the country, the Gauteng province.

“The department is pleased with the increase not only in the levels of the Vaal Dam but in other dams that are part of the system (IVRS). The system has held firm and continues to keep a much-needed balance.

“To ensure that the system remains stable, the department believes that businesses and households are central in ensuring that the system is kept firm and stable.”

“Another dam that has seen a surge this week is the Grootdraai Dam, which is becoming healthier with each passing week. With its levels soaring steadily, the dam rose from 76.4% last week to 83.5% this week. The present levels are comparatively higher to last year when the dam was much lesser at 51.7%,” the department said.

The Sterkfontein Dam, which is a reserve located in the Free State, is this week a shade higher at 94.9% compared to the levels of 94.8% last week.

During the same week last year, the dam stood lower yet strong at 91.4%. This shows that the dam has not only been resilient but has been on the upward trend over the months.

“On the contrary, the Bloemhof Dam declined this week, dropping from 81.7% last week to 81.4% this week. However, the dam is presently stands firmer when compared to the levels of 71.2% at the same time last year,” the department said.

In Lesotho, the Mohale and Katse dams have also notched up this week. Despite the increase, the Mohale Dam remains in a sluggish state at petty levels of 3.7% following their increase from 2.7% last week. In the preceding year at the same time, the dam stood at 28.0%.

“On the other hand, the Katse Dam is slightly improved than the Mohale Dam. Presently, the dam hovers at 24.5%, and is up from a 22.2% last week. In comparative terms, this is higher than the 15.9% at which the dam stood at the same time last year,” the department said.

The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), which consists of 14 dams, has recorded an uptick this week as it rose from 54.9% last week to 56.8% this week.

The system is now slowly inching towards the 57.5% it recorded during the same week last year.

“The department emphasises the fact that in as much as water consumers need to use water, they are equally obligated to bear responsibility to encourage each other to use water sparingly and wisely.”

Deputy President David Mabuza has reiterated government’s commitment to resolving the challenges faced by military veterans.

Mabuza concluded the second round of consultations on Tuesday, charting the way forward.

This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of a high-level team chaired by the Deputy President.

The team, which also consists of the Minister in the Presidency, Minister and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, is tasked with looking at existing support offered to military veterans by government.

“On receiving this important task, Deputy President Mabuza hastened to convene and chair the meetings which were attended by Premiers and the high-level team with military veterans,” the statement read on Tuesday.

The team has since met with members from Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association, Umkhonto we Sizwe National Council, Azanian People’s Liberation Army Military Veterans Association and Azanian National Liberation Army Military Veterans Association.

They also engaged delegates from the Council Military Veterans Organisation, the former Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei (TBVC) Defence Forces Military Veteran Associations as well as the South African Cape Coloured Corps.

“The high-level team collectively undertook to work together with military veterans to immediately resume the process of verification of military veterans, in order to ensure that the support is extended to the rightful people.”

Mabuza said they were determined to find solutions to hardships the ex-combatants encounter and prepare a report for the President on collectively conceptualised proposals.

“We are committed to resolving the problems that our military veterans are faced with and shall work collectively with stakeholders across all spheres of government to find a way forward,” said Deputy President Mabuza.

Mabuza said the consultations will continue to look into all other issues pertaining to the wellbeing of military veterans.

The Portfolio Committee on Transport has called on the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) board to double efforts to ensure trains get back on the rail.

Portfolio Committee on Transport Chairperson Mosebenzi Zwane said the committee will work closely with the board in resolving the disclaimer audit opinion, in which only 10% of performance was accounted for.

On Tuesday, the PRASA board tabled the entity’s 2019/2020 audit outcomes which revealed that the entity recorded 17 areas of qualification, matters which have all been referred to the Special Investigative Unit.

“The committee welcomes assurances by PRASA’s new board, led by Leonard Ramatlakane, that it will get trains back on track. Affordable rail transport is a non-negotiable for people who for long have been without options when it comes to transportation.

“The role of PRASA will be even more important as government is trying to revive the economy following multiple lockdowns that were COVID-19 induced,” Zwane said.

He said the board should spare no effort in getting PRASA governance, security, and infrastructure right.

“PRASA needs to work for South Africa’s economy to work. The plans that are going to be drawn going forward should be geared in such a way that they help address dilapidated rail infrastructure and vandalism,” Zwane said.