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The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) says it has noted that the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) has endorsed the Voluntary Severance Packages (VSPs) which are being offered to individual employees of the South African Airways (SAA).

“While the DPE appreciates the level of commitment and cooperation from the pilots, the DPE is concerned that pilots are seeking benefits, which are far more costly, more lucrative and financially rewarding for the pilots than any other class of employees at SAA.

“For example, in the latest Voluntary Severance Packages (VSPs), the 600 SAA pilots make up 13% of SAA staff, and they consume 45% of the wage bill. The lowest of SAA’s 170 senior pilots earns R3.6-million a year, excluding benefits and incentives. Of the R2.2 billion proposed budget for the VSPs, pilots will get more than R1 billion,” DPE said in a statement.

DPE wishes to put on record that SAAPA has proposed the following:

● Retrenching 1 548 employees and retaining 3 099 employees, 2 000 for the start-up of the new airline, 435 on a temporary layoff scheme, and 664 on furlough (furloughed employees are retrenched but can be called in as required).

● Reducing the number of retrenched employees from 3 647 to 1 548, excluding the 664 on furlough. This means the total cost of SAAPA’s proposal would be R1.986 billion against the budget of R2.2 billion that DPE had proposed to fund its proposal.

● Retained workers be kept on a part time basis of 75% and be paid accordingly.

● Further cut in salaries of the pilots (20%) and employees 10%.

● Improved VSP to incentivise senior pilots.

● Provide opportunities to the younger and in particular, formerly disadvantaged pilots to advance their careers.

“The DPE does not believe that the SAAPA proposal is in the best interest of SAA, its employees, creditors and other stakeholders and has informed SAAPA that its proposal would exacerbate a prolonged economic recovery in a post COVID-19 era.

“SAAPA’s proposals seek to retain a much larger number of employees – in particular more pilots – in a new, restructured, viable and competitive airline that must emerge from a business rescue process for SAA.

“These purport to be affordable now, when in fact they would cause the base costs of starting a new airline to be substantially higher, unaffordable and unsustainable,” the department said.

According to DPE, SAAPA fails to recognise and accept is that the terms and conditions of employment of the pilots is still based on the premise that SAA is an internationally competitive and profitable company.

“The DPE has welcomed the endorsement of the voluntary severance packages by the National Transport Movement, South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, Aviation Union of Southern Africa, Solidarity, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, South African Airways Cabin Crew Association and representatives of SAA non-unionised managers and ground staff,” the department said.

The SAA Business Rescue Practitioners have scheduled a creditor’s meeting for Tuesday, July 14th to vote on the business rescue plan. A vote in favour of the plan by 75% of the voting interests would be required to carry the vote. A vote against the plan would result in the protracted and costly liquidation of the airline.

The DPE believes that the VSPs and a positive vote to finalise the business rescue process would be the most expeditious option for the national carrier to restructure its affairs, its business, debts and other liabilities, resulting in the emergence of a new viable, sustainable, competitive airline that aprovides integrated domestic, regional and international flight services.

The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) has noted with disappointment ongoing sporadic attempts by political and civic organisations to disrupt learning at some schools around the country.

These organisations, the CEM said, have threatened teachers and learners, while others have gone to court and failed to stop schools reopening, and now are intent on resorting to threats and disruptions to achieve their intended goals.

The CEM appealed to all aggrieved political and civic organisations to rather engage with their political counterparts and authorities through official platforms.

“These platforms are appropriate avenues to register their concerns and complaints and not our centres of learning and development. The unfolding political ballgame does not belong in schools,” the CEM said in a statement.

Led by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, the CEM this morning held a meeting to discuss developments recorded since the second group of learners returned to school around the country on Monday.

The CEM said schooling is indeed resuming with good progress, as learners were received well and many schools have made a concerted effort to prepare adequate sanitation, health and safety measures to welcome learners back.

The CEM said it was regrettable that leaders would choose schools as “a theatre of political posturing and muscle-flashing”, while the Department of Basic Education is working on creating a safe environment for learning and teaching under COVID-19.

“Failure to desist from these regrettable acts will leave us no choice but to exercise our options, as per the dictates of the South African Schools Act (no. 84 of 1996), to make sure we protect our schools, educators, learners and the rights and interests of parents, who wish to take their children back to school,” said Motshekga.

The Minister said some of the organisations had lost in court and are now resorting to disruptive behaviour.

“We are disappointed and dismayed that these organisations have neglected to recognise the efforts of the department in providing alternatives for parents who, out of well-founded anxiety and fear, wish not to return their children to school.

“Some parents wish not to return their children to school because children have comorbidities and this is a fact well understood and embraced by the department.

“For these parents, we’ve made provision, as allowed by the South African Schools Act for Home Education. This option is available and can be accessed by applying at Provincial Education Departments,” the Minister said.

The CEM urges all those aggrieved not to interfere with the rights of those parents wishing to see their children going to school.

The CEM has not ruled out the possibility of going to court to seek protection from those intent on obstructing schooling.

Due to increase in plant breakdowns, Eskom will implement Stage 2 load shedding from midday on Friday.

“The load shedding has been caused by an increase in plant breakdowns exceeding 3000MW of capacity. While five generation units were taken off the grid last and this morning, a breakdown at the Matimba power station has today resulted in the need for load shedding,” said Eskom in a statement.

Two units at the Arnot power station, as well as a unit each at Kendal, Tutuka and Majuba were taken off the grid last night and this morning.

These removed more than 3000MW of capacity from the system.

The delayed return to service of a generation unit at Duvha power station, has also added significant pressure to the generation system.

Eskom said any additional breakdowns will compromise its ability to supply power to the country.

The constrained supply situation is expected to persist throughout the weekend.

“We request the public to reduce electricity usage between 4pm and 10pm in order to assist us in preventing the need for load shedding.”

“Over the past two evenings the help of the public assisted us in avoiding the need for load shedding. With your help, Eskom can pull through without load shedding. With your help Eskom can again recover from this much quicker,” it said.

The devastating reality of COVID-19 continues to batter the country as South Africa reported a record of 13 674 new cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 238 339 infections.

Gauteng, which is now the epicentre, also hit new highs in daily cases, with 6 531 additional infections in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, 129 people lost their lives due to the novel Coronavirus which brings the death toll to 3 720.

Of these, both Gauteng and the Western Cape each recorded 37 deaths, 28 from Eastern Cape, 26 from KwaZulu-Natal, and one from the Northern Cape.

The department has since corrected a miscalculation after stating that the recent total deaths in Limpopo were 44 instead of 33 on Wednesday.

“This was a data interpretation error, which has been corrected. Reallocation has since been done and we have confirmed the current total with the province,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, explained.

In addition, the number of recoveries is 113 061, while 56 170 new tests were completed since the last report.

“We have thus reached a milestone of having completed over 2 million tests for Coronavirus,” he said.

The Minister has also paid a special tribute to laboratory services employees who have made this feat possible.

“This is an enormous achievement that we can all be proud of as South Africans,” he said, adding that 2 000 569 have been conducted since the outbreak.

Gauteng now has 81 546 cases, followed by the Western Cape with 74 815, Eastern 44 432 and KwaZulu-Natal 19 630.

North West has 7 870 reported infections, Free State 3 724, Mpumalanga 2 902, Limpopo 2 381 and Northern Cape 1 039.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 11 874 226 cases worldwide and 545 481 deaths.

With a constrained power system, Eskom may be forced to implement load shedding, it said on Friday.

“Five generation units were taken off the grid, significantly raising the possible need for load shedding. We urge the public to continue reducing electricity usage to help us avoid load shedding,” said Eskom.

Should the need arise; Eskom said it could implement load shedding between 4pm and 10pm.

Two units at the Arnot power station, as well as a unit each at Kendal, Tutuka and Majuba were taken off the grid.

These removed more than 2600 MW of capacity from the system.

The delayed return to service of a generation unit at Duvha power station, has also added significant pressure to the generation system.

Eskom said any additional breakdowns  will compromise its ability to supply power to the country.

This constrained supply situation is expected to persist throughout the weekend.

“We request the public to reduce electricity usage between 4pm and 10 pm in order to assist us in preventing the need for load shedding.

“Over the past two evenings the help of the public assisted us in avoiding the need for load shedding. With your help, Eskom can pull through without load shedding,” said Eskom.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has confirmed he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

In a brief statement issued on Friday, the Premier said he on Wednesday began experiencing mild symptoms.

“On Thursday, I decided to self-quarantine and test for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure. Today, Friday 10 July 2020, I received my test results confirming that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” he said.

The Premier in the statement said he was in self-isolation, in line with the WHO protocols and will work from home over the next 14 days, while monitoring my health.

“Given the fact that I only have mild symptoms, I will continue to ensure that the Provincial Executive Council and Provincial Coronavirus Command Council respond adequately to weather the storm of the pandemic in order to save more lives,” he said.

The MEC’s will later today give a weekly update on COVID-19.

He said the province’s primary focus in its response is to limit the number of infections and save more lives.

“We must double our efforts because Gauteng is once again the epicenter of COVID-19,” he said.

Makhura in the statement has also appealed to Gauteng residents to continue playing their part in observing the golden rules of washing hands regularly, wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged the country’s police officers to persevere amid trying times, as they continue to be at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister made the remarks while addressing police officers in Pretoria on Friday.

With infection rates soaring in the country, he warned members to brace themselves but keep safe.

“As you’ve seen and heard from the Minister of Health – the storm has finally arrived, so be prepared [and] it is still a long way to go. We are not near the end at all,” he said.

Since March, 5000 officers have contracted the virus while 36 others have succumbed to COVID-19-related illnesses.

“As we, ourselves, continue to be part of this fight, we are also falling victim to the same war. We are also becoming infected, some of us are also succumbing to this deadly virus,” Cele said.

The Minister said police and security sectors have been severely challenged by the pandemic.

The SAPS has over the last three months decontaminated and disinfected various affected police stations across the country. He reassured the members that the SAPS management was fully behind them as they continued to stand at the forefront of the fight against the spread of the virus.

Through the provincial and national steering committees – set-up as a response to the virus – the Minister emphasised police officers would continue to receive all the required support while performing their daily duties.

“Members, if you test positive, be reminded that you are not alone. Virtual psychological services and support will continue to be available as you self-isolate and recover,” he said.

While the number of infections continues to rise in the country, this was equally affecting SAPS morale.

“It is increasingly becoming impossible to have a positive outlook on life, but remember you are in the frontline. You are the first to come, and you are the last to (leave),” he said.

He was saddened that those who had died would not be given fitting funerals due to lockdown regulations.

“Sadly, the COVID-19 has claimed 36 lives of our own from the very junior official up to General [level]. The sad situation is that we are not given the opportunity to honour those of us who have fallen. It’s unfortunate,” said the Minister.

Extending a hand to the families of the deceased, the Minister said they should find comfort in knowing that their loved ones died defending the country.

“You will be taken care off, as per SAPS protocol. The families must be taken care of because all the members that have succumbed have succumbed in the line of duty.”

Despite these testing times, the Minister urged members to persevere. “Stay strong and remember: you are the frontline to defend the rest of us,” he said.

In the past three months criminality has gradually increased, particularly in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

“These are same areas where the crime is. Those are the same province where the criminals want to run amok. But up to this point, we have not lost sight of our core function, we are dealing with these criminals,” he said.

This was also the case in the fight against gender-based violence.

The effects of COVID-19 on global economies requires innovative solutions, says Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina.

She said that while interventions have been put in place by governments across the world to stem the tide of the pandemic, some interventions have caused significant disruptions in the production, supply and flow of critical goods and services across borders.

“This is having a detrimental effect on our respective economies and threatens the livelihoods of millions of people. The economic fall-out from this pandemic is imposing additional pressure on the already fragile and overstretched public purse. It is leading to lower private sector investment expenditure and it is cutting household income. This diminishes the growth prospect of our countries and is eroding the progress achieved in our fight against poverty,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said this at the start of a two-day virtual Trade and Investment seminar with Zambia on Thursday.

The seminar, hosted under the theme “Developing Afrocentric solutions and forging partnership in response to COVID 19”, aims to mobilise South African and Zambian business communities to consider taking up investment opportunities in both countries and to build on previous Outward Trade and Investment Missions held in Zambia between 2015 and 2019.

Gina has called for higher levels of collaboration.

“Firstly, I call for higher levels of cooperation and collaboration across the board. Secondly, the recently adopted Southern African Development Community (SADC) guidelines on harmonisation and facilitation of cross-border transport operations across the region, during COVID-19 pandemic must provide a solid foundation for our two countries to find a common ground,”  she said.

She urged the two countries to adopt a bilateral economic cooperation model that could turn the pandemic from a dilemma into an opportunity to change the structure of the two countries’ economic relations.

“We need to act with urgency,” said Gina.

The Deputy Minister had high expectations that the seminar would come up with practical and realistic solutions to ensure that there was a movement from discussion to execution as soon as possible.

South Africa’s main exports to Zambia include machinery and mechanical appliances, base metals, mineral products, products of the chemical or allied industries. South Africa also exports plastics and articles thereof, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment.

The seminar will conclude on Friday, 10 July 2020.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has reiterated that the Eastern Cape scooter project is not a replacement for ambulances. Instead, it is meant to broaden access to primary health care in the most remote areas of that province.

Mkhize, responding to a question from Democratic Alliance MP Siviwe Gwarube, said the motorbikes do not meet the criteria to transport the sick.

This issue has since caused a furore after Gwarube’s comments on social media, that the Minister and Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba had made contradictory statements on the matter.

“Gwarube’s sensationalism has caused unnecessary confusion and we now wish to set the record straight,” the Department of Health spokesperson, Dr Lwazi Manzi, said.

In the Minister’s parliamentary response, he said the scooter project, launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH), does not meet the basic criteria for patient transport as an ambulance.

“The purpose of this project by ECDOH is mainly for widening access to primary health care and delivering of chronic medicine for the most remote areas of the Eastern Cape province,” Mkhize said.

The initiative’s aim is for health workers to reach far-flung areas where patients end up being neglected because of the road infrastructure, as part of rolling out primary healthcare.

“The Minister commended this initiative and gladly agreed to participate in its launch.  The Minister also issued a statement that was accompanied by the MEC’s speech seeking to give clarity on the exact use of the motorbikes and that it was not intended to replace an ambulance.

“It is the Minister who clearly and unequivocally stated that while he fully supports the intended use of the motorbikes, these motorbikes do not meet basic Emergency Medical Services protocols. This he did a month ago,” Manzi said.

The EMS regulations include minimum patient compartment space and equipment requirements.

“In fact on the very same day, the MEC also showcased 16 mobile clinics that can also be ambulances. These are fully equipped ambulances, which were parked right next to the motorbikes.

“It is clear that Minister Mkhize has at all times maintained and MEC Gomba understood that these motorbikes were not a replacement of ambulances.”

The department has since criticised Gwarube for misinformation.

“The sudden excitement created by Gwarube around Minister Mkhize’s parliamentary response is misleading and clearly undermines the fact that on top of being a politician, the Minister, as a medical doctor, understands basic EMS regulations and what is contained in an ambulance.

“The Minister will not participate in a discriminatory mentality that views poor people as only being good enough to be carried in wheelbarrows in order to reach health facilities when sick,” Manzi said.

The department said it will carry on with prioritising improving the lives of underprivileged communities.

“The department will continue its efforts to improve the healthcare system which, like the rest of the world, is not perfect, is being tested and can be overwhelmed during this pandemic.”

Meanwhile, the department said it would not shy away from embracing initiatives that seek to offer health services to people, especially those who are marginalised because of their race and the areas they live in.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has called for strong and immediate action to be taken against individuals, who are preventing people from being moved into their new homes in the City of Cape Town.

This follows reports that a group from Cape Town informal settlements has been demanding job opportunities.

Demands from the group include that transportation of the housing beneficiaries from Joe Slovo in Nyanga to their new homes in Forest Village, be given to them as a business opportunity.

“There cannot be any justification for interfering with rightful beneficiaries being moved into their homes, particularly at this crucial time, when we are all trying everything within our power to save the nation from the impact of COVID-19,” Sisulu said on Thursday.

She said over the past few weeks, the provinces have heeded the department’s insistence that they accelerate the allocation of houses to qualifying beneficiaries, mainly from informal settlements.

“Together with the MECs, we have been doing this because we fully understand the unacceptable conditions in which too many of our people find themselves in, mainly in informal settlements, where social distancing becomes a dream,” Sisulu said.

She said close to 100 people are expected to be moved into their new homes in the City of Cape Town this week, and “this unfortunate, opportunistic behaviour stands in the way of qualifying beneficiaries and their lives being changed for the better”.

The Minister also called for responsible leadership in the communities, specifically in Joe Slovo, and the isolation of individuals who undermine government service delivery and stand in the way of development.