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With government trying to strike a delicate balance between the loss of lives and saving jobs, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is not considering returning to a hard lockdown.

The President clarified government’s stance during his oversight visit to Mpumalanga on Friday where he assessed the province’s state of readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Another hard lockdown is not being considered for now, the issue of jobs lost concerns us. Other countries are experiencing even bigger losses. We are developing various other ways of responding to this,” said the President.

The exponential increase in COVID-19 cases ignited fierce debate across society with a hard lockdown proposed as a measure to curb the country’s rising infections.

President Ramaphosa said government would rather consider other options in the “toolbox” in fighting the pandemic.

He said the increase in numbers was expected but the National Coronavirus Command Council will examine the situation in the hardest hit provinces such as Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Western Cape.

The three provinces account for the lion’s share of the country’s COVID-19 cases with the  Western Cape leading the pack 64 841cases, 49 937 in Gauteng and 30 603 in Eastern Cape.

To date South Africa recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases in one day as 8 728 people tested positive bringing the national total to 168 061.

On Thursday, 95 new COVID-19-related deaths were reported bringing the total number of deaths to 2 844.

Mpumalanga’s COVID-19 response plan, which seeks to target cases at a ward level and drive awareness, has received approval from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The President visited the province on Friday to assess its state of readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accompanied by Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize; Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu; Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, the President also inspected the province’s COVID-19 facilities.

“I’m particularly pleased that your response strategy has identified key priority areas, including managing the health crisis itself. It is pleasing to know that in your priority areas, you have decided to protect vulnerable people in our communities.

“Your response strategy also focuses on behavioural change. One of the best weapons we have against Coronavirus is to change our behaviour, having accepted that we have to live with this virus,” he said.

The province’s response plan takes into consideration Mpumalanga’s relatively low COVID-19 cases, which sit at 1 478 cases, with seven deaths, as of Thursday. The plan aims to zone in on potential hotspots and build community awareness of the virus.

Presenting the Provincial Command Council’s response strategy to the President, Provincial Advisory Committee member, Dr Lesego Mawela, said Emalahleni, Govan Mbeki, Steve Tshwete and the City of Mbombela municipalities are where the province’s COVID-19 cases are located.

“We have, however, noted that appreciating these numbers at a municipal level will not help us much in terms of our response. We have now moved on to look at where these cases are from at a ward level, so that we do not go into a municipality and do a series of interventions broadly, but we will provide multiple, combined and targeted interventions in specific wards,” said Mawela.

As the country braces for a surge in infections, Mawela said the province has devised a community based approach in response to the virus.

“The first goal is to contain and limit the spread of Coronavirus, and to address critical socio-economic and health system issues caused by the pandemic,” he said.

The provincial plan also includes setting up a provincial nerve centre, tracking COVID-19 at a ward level and behavioural change campaigns in wards that are hardest hit.

Age groups most at risk

Contrary to the COVID-19 trends, which largely affect the older population, Mpumalanga reported that COVID-19 continues to affect young people, with cases peaking in the 30-39 age group.

“We have noted that the age group of interest is 20 – 49 years… Most of the province’s cases are males, who represent 53% of all cases,” said Mawela.

Mpumalanga screens 4.5 million people for COVID

In terms of screening, Mpumalanga has screened 4.5 million people, with the majority of screening emanating from communities, while others took place in the public health system. Other screenings happened through mobile services and digital applications.

A total of 6 101 contacts have been traced, 2 346 of which are still actively being monitored; 3 755 have been discharged and are regarded as not being infected.

Tests

To date, Mpumalanga has conducted 43 459 tests, 7 988 of which were conducted in the public 35 073 are from the private sector.

The province has, however, a backlog of 848 pending results.

“It is important to note that we used to have a higher number, which at some point was reduced to just below 250 and now we are seeing the backlog coming back. It is a systems problem that we need to look at,” said Mawela.

Case management and Isolation

In terms of case management, 726 of the province’s 1 478 cases are under isolation. The majority of these cases are under self-isolation.

“We have 39 patients admitted in the general ward, seven patients in high care and four in ICU,” said Mawela.

The majority of the seven deaths are from young people, with only two deaths being regarded as the targeted high-risk population, which has been the trend globally and domestically.

“It’s quite important for us as a province to see how best we reach our young people to prevent COVID-19 infections and to screen them for comorbidities,” said Mawela.

Healthcare workers infected

To date, the province has 56 healthcare workers with COVID-19. Of the 56 cases, 36 are still active and 18 have recovered.

COVID-19 cases at Mpumalanga schools

A total of 25 schools in the province have reported cases of COVID-19. The province has 23 teachers, nine learners and six support staff infected by Coronavirus.

The Department of Employment and Labour has provisionally closed the biggest Labour Centre in Pretoria situated at 239 Concilium Building at Nana Sita Street and the Brits Labour Centre in the North West.

The Pretoria Labour Centre is among the two Labour Centres in Gauteng to provisionally shut doors on Thursday after one of the supervisors tested positive for COVID-19.

The second office is Alberton Labour Centre. Members of the community serviced by these two centres are advised to utilize the nearby offices to access services.

The department says all contacts will be traced and managed according to COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.

“Our fundamental priority is the health and safety of all our employees. As part of our precautionary measures, the two centres will not be servicing clients while the deep cleaning process is carried out.

“Those who came into contact with the infected official were advised to self isolate for a period of 14 days as per COVID-19 regulations,” the Department of Labour and Employment said in a statement.

Director-General of the Department Thobile Lamati has previously stated that the safety of staff remain paramount.

“Our officials are an important cog of the working South African economy and as such, we will ensure that they are as safe as possible,” he said.

The centres are expected to reopen on Monday, 6 July, and will function under a reduced capacity as some employees will be in isolation.

“The department is deeply concerned by the growing number of infected officials and the burden it puts to nearby offices.

“We are painfully aware that the closure of some of our offices means overcrowding and long queues at the neighboring ones hence, we apologise in advance for the inconvenience and ask our esteemed clients to be patient while they visits those centres. While we mention the long waiting times, as brought by the high demand for service, we also confident in the capabilities of our dedicated staff members,” the department said.

The Nearest Labour Centres in Pretoria are:

• Atteridgeville Labour Centre at WF Nkomo and Kalafong Road
• Mamelodi Labour Centre situated at Mini Munitoria in Mamelodi West
• Bronkhorstspruit Labour Centre at 40 Botha Street in Bronkhorstspruit
• Garankuwa Labour Centre at Setlalentoa Street in Zone 5 in Garankuwa
• Soshanguve Labour Centre at 2322 Block F Neat &Fast building next to NAFCOC in Soshanguve

Alberton clients can visit the following offices:

• Brakpan Labour Centre situated at Cnr Voortrekker and High Street
• Boksburg is at Lakeside building, Bank Street,
• Benoni Labour Centre is at 10 Woburn Avenue and
• Kempton park Labour Centre is at Trust bank building, Cnr Voortrekker Rd and Wolf Street.

Clients are encouraged to use the department’s online services on www.labour.gov.za.

Brits Labour Centre

The Brits Labour Centre in the North West has also been temporarily closed following a confirmed COVID-19 case.

This, according to the department, is in order to allow employees who had been in contact with the affected employee to self-isolate and for the necessary cleaning protocols for the office to be carried out.

According to Andile Makapela, the Chief Director: Provincial Operations in the North West, the affected employee is one of the officials who have been in office since the department opened officially for the public on 8 June 2020.

“He is one of the key officials who were in office since we opened, therefore the necessary protocols are being followed to ensure that all the affected employees receive the necessary support which would include psychosocial counselling,” Makapela said.

For the Brits Labour Centre, the department has very good working relations with the local Department of Health office, whereby they have been on site on a daily basis carrying out the required screenings.

They are onboard and the tracking and tracing process is being carried out to ensure that all the people that were in contact with the employee are found and that the necessary health protocols are followed.

Though the department is concerned about the backlog on service delivery as a result of temporary closure of offices, of paramount importance is the health and safety of its clients and employees.

The temporary closure of the Brits Labour Centre brings a total number of offices closed in the North West this week to two, Klerksdorp Labour Centre was closed on the 02 July 2020.

An announcement would be made with regard to the opening of these offices which is expected to be some time next week.

Clients are encouraged to use the department’s online services found on www.labour.gov.za.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) says the time for rhetoric talk has come and gone.

But, it is calling for decisive action to be taken to bring justice to the families who have lost their loved ones due to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

“Those that have been raped and their bodies brutalised, those still seeking answers as to what happened to their loved ones and those that are afraid to come forward because they do not trust their perpetrators will ever get punished,” the Commission said.

The women in the country are under siege, with the number of GBVF cases having increased since the relaxation of the hard lockdown.

“Many are survivors of intimate partner violence although not fatal this time around, it is likely to have more traumatic outcomes and, in some instances, should they not get the necessary help and support.”

The CGE said it was saddened by these killings and violence meted against women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable members of the community.

“Amongst those that have been reported killed in the past weeks are Tshegofatso Pule, Naledi Phangindawo, Nompumelelo Tshaka, Nomfazi Gabada, Nwabisa Mgwandela, Altecia Kortjie and Lindelwa Peni, all young women who were killed by men,” the Commission said.

The elderly have not been spared either and the victims include an 89-year-old grandmother who was killed in an old age home in Queenstown, a 79-year-old woman was murdered in Brakpan, while another elderly woman was raped in KwaSwayimane in KwaZulu-Natal.

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Raynecia Kotjie was also murdered in the Western Cape, while another six-year-old was found dead in a sugar cane field in KwaZulu-Natal.

“GBVF continues to be an urgent issue for the country and currently, women, girls are faced with the many social, economic, health and access related issues whilst fighting the novel coronavirus and Gender Based-Violence and Femicide, both raging in this country.”

While the Commission applauds the police for moving swiftly in arresting some of the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crimes, it said it wants to see justice when there are successful prosecutions.

“We are also cognisant that our justice system tends to take long in prosecuting cases of GBVF, the Commission hopes this can be corrected as we have seen in some cases there was a swift movement in prosecuting.”

It believes that the judicial system must play a significant role in ensuring that all the rhetoric statements are realised by actions by prosecuting criminals against women and girls for lengthy jail sentences.

“It is on the same vein that appropriate legislation is supported to ensure that when those who have committed such distasteful acts applied for bail for GBVF, the rights and safety of survivors are considered.”

The Commission said the alleged perpetrators often threaten their victims into withdrawing cases or worse to kill the victims when given bail.

The entity believes that it was everyone’s responsibility to help flatten the curve against GBV.

“Resources should be channelled in fighting the GBVF pandemic. Police, prosecutors, magistrates and judges should be sensitized about the scourge of gender-based violence and cases be reviewed to ensure that the victim-centred approach to bring justice is upheld.”

The Musina police station has been temporarily closed for decontamination after one of its members tested positive for COVID-19.

The community will now be served through the Community Service Centre operating from the old police station building on Flax Avenue, using the main gate at the back of the current police station premises.

“For certifying purposes, a caravan has been placed at the main gate, which will assist community members without them having to get into the old police station building.

“The telephone lines at Musina police station Community Service Centre will not be accessible for the duration of the closure,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The community is advised to call 10111 for emergencies and the Community Service Centre number 071 481 4213 for all other complaints.

“The Station Commander may be contacted on 082 414 6683 and the duty officer on 082 729 1142.

“The police station is expected to be fully operational again on Sunday, 5 July 2020.

“The SAPS management apologises for any inconvenience that may arise from this,” SAPS said.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the Provincial Coronavirus Command Council is consulting with various sectors about the need to reinstate some of the drastic measures that will ensure that the pandemic is contained.

Makhura said that the province will also, among the key interventions, make a representation to the National Command Council on the need to re-introduce stringent measures, including possible intermittent localised lockdowns and slowing down of re-opening of sectors and schools.

“We have to do whatever it takes to contain the spread of the pandemic,” Makhura said.

Presenting the province’s interventions to curb the spread of Coronavirus at the Provincial Command Council weekly media update on COVID-19 held on Thursday, Makhura noted that the month of June has seen a sharp spike in the number of confirmed cases on a daily basis, and the province now has the largest number of active cases.

“Hospitalisation has also increased exponentially in the past 14 days. Although the mortality rate is still low but it is increasing. The COVID-19 storm has arrived.

“Health services and health workers are beginning to bear the brunt of COVID-19 as the case load increases. The pandemic is running ahead of the projected peak of September,” Makhura said.

As of 1 July 2020, Gauteng had 45 944 confirmed cases and 35 166 active cases of COVID-19.

Makhura said that work is currently underway to increase bed capacity and staffing in the public sector, including field hospital beds at Nasrec and Tshwane Events Centre.

“Four thousand five hundred additional beds will be ready by the end of July, in preparation for the peak. Over the next four weeks, ward-based COVID-19 response teams will be active in localities to help get the message out to communities about the need to observe health and hygiene measures, social distancing and wearing of masks,” Makhura said.

Over 1 000 public servants tested positive

According to the statistics presented by Makhura, out of 172 113 public servants in Gauteng, 1 641 have tested positive since March – this includes public health workers and educators.

“Like all other patients, affected staff and their family members are receiving care and treatment in line with the World Health Organisation protocols. All other staff members who were in contact with those that tested positive have been tested and will continue to follow all protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

“There is ongoing decontamination of all public buildings regularly as part of the measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. As part of continuous medical surveillance protocol, frontline public servants undergo daily screening and some are referred for testing,” Makhura said.

Adequate PPE stock

Based on the current patient load, the Premier said the province has adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in stock, but they continue to order more stock for the next phases of the pandemic.

Food security

Makhura said since the lockdown, 329 186 households have been provided with food relief, supporting a total of 1 432 650 people (at least five people per household).

However, Makhura said the demand for food far outstrips the province’s capacity to meet the need.

“We continue to call for more support from business, foundations and civil society initiatives on food relief. However, such initiatives must be coordinated with government and the distribution should avoid breaching social distancing regulations,” Makhura said.

Shelters for homeless people

The Premier said the provincial government is providing temporary shelter to the homeless in 47 shelters across the province, working with municipalities.

He said that 2 825 homeless people are provided with three meals on a daily basis including psychosocial support, medical assessments and treatment for substance abuse.

“Five hundred and twenty seven homeless beneficiaries have absconded from shelters to return to the streets, 520 have self-discharged themselves, 346 people were re-united with families from April – 5 June 2020, [and] 307 people have been sent to rehabilitation centres for substance use disorders,” Makhura said.

Makhura reiterated the call for people to adhere to the lockdown regulations and practise the rules of hand hygiene and good cough etiquette.

“We remind people once more that there is currently no cure for COVID-19. The only way to prevent transmission is to avoid physical contact.”

The Competition Tribunal has been clamping down on companies that have been hiking prices of sanitisers and masks since the COVID-19 outbreak.

On Friday, the Tribunal said it had confirmed two consent agreements relating to COVID-19 exorbitant pricing complaints, bringing the total to 20 since April.

“All of these agreements relate to the alleged excessive pricing of goods, such as sanitisers and face masks, used by consumers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Tribunal said.

After investigating complaints from the public, the Tribunal found a Bloemfontein based company, Vasilis Supermarket T/A Vasilis Cleaning Supplies, has contravened the Competition Act.

The store sells products online for nationwide distribution and does not manufacture its products but sources these locally and internationally, the Tribunal said.

The Tribunal received information about the alleged excessive prices charged by Vasilis for different types of surgical gloves, surgical masks and dust masks.

“The Commission concluded that Vasili’s conduct of significantly escalating margins on surgical gloves and face masks without any corresponding increases in costs during the period February to April 2020, is a contravention of section 8(1)(a) of the Competition Act read together with Regulation 4 of the Consumer Protection Regulations,” the statement said.

Vasilis does not admit that its conduct constitutes a contravention of the Competition Act.

However, they have agreed to desist from pricing excessively by reducing its gross profit margins applicable to the sale of surgical gloves and facemasks to an agreed maximum percentage with immediate effect for the duration of the State of National Disaster.

The company says it will also donate essential goods amounting to R243 148.70 to three charities, Mangaung Society for Care of the Aged, Boiketlong Old Age Home and the Hearts2Hand Foundation.

The company will also contribute R44 128.51 to the Solidarity Fund and develop and implement a competition law compliance programme.

Meanwhile, Sanitech, a division of Waco Africa, has also been accused of inflating prices.

Sanitech is a supplier of sanitation facilities and offers professional washroom hygiene services through several branches nationwide.

“The Commission accuses the company of charging excessive prices for five-litre hand sanitisers during March and April 2020,” the Tribunal said.

In addition, while the company does not admit to any wrongdoing, Sanitech agrees to resolve the complaint through several remedies set out in the consent agreement.

Sanitech has also agreed to donate R65 028 to the Solidarity Fund; stop the excessive pricing; reduce its gross profit margin on hand sanitisers for the duration of the State of National Disaster.

They will also develop and implement a competition law compliance programme.

South Africa recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases in one day, as 8 735 people tested positive, bringing the national total to 168 061.

In addition to the new cases, 95 more deaths were recorded on Thursday.

Of the 95 COVID-19 related deaths, 12 are from the Eastern Cape, 38 from Gauteng, 16 from KwaZulu-Natal and 29 from the Western Cape.

“This brings the total national deaths to 2 844, with a mortality rate of 1.7%.

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

To date, there are 81 999 recoveries, which translates to a recovery rate of 48.8%.

With 64 841cases in the Western Cape, 49 937 in Gauteng and 30 603 in Eastern Cape, the three provinces lead the national statistics, with the highest number of Coronavirus cases in the country.

As of Thursday, Free State recorded 1 886 cases, KwaZulu-Natal 11 669, Limpopo 1 286, Mpumalanga 1 478, North West 4 788 and Northern Cape 573.

A total of 1 706 127 tests have been processed, 39 188 of which having been conducted since the last report.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Parliament of his decision to extend the employment of 20 000 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members from 27 June until 30 September.

The development was confirmed by Parliament on Thursday. In a statement, Parliament said National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and Amos Masondo, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), received communication of the decision on 30 June.

The expenditure of the extension of the service, which is in line with Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution read with sections of the Defence Act, will be R1.5 billion. The President in March initially authorised the employment of 2 820. This was extended to 76 000 on 21 April.

“Their service is in co-operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to maintain law and order, to support other State Departments and to control South Africa’s borderline to combat the spread of COVID-19 in all nine provinces,” read the statement.

In his correspondence to the two presiding officers, President Ramaphosa said the outbreak of the virus in the country continues to increase. Parliament said the President, in the letter, emphasised that it was for this reason that the service of these SANDF members is still needed.

During this period, and until the virus is brought under control, members of the SANDF will be mandated to support and work with the National Department of Health in managing the virus.

The department will provide field hospitals, medical screening and quarantine facilities.

The SANDF will also support the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in its efforts to maintain and enhance living conditions of the population. This will include the supply of water and engineering services.

With regards to security, the SANDF will support the SAPS’ efforts to enforce the lockdown regulations.

Parliament said the President, Modise and Masondo need to bring the contents of the report to the attention of the respective Houses.

South Africa recorded its biggest one-day jump in new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday after 8 124 people tested positive.

Of the additional cases, Gauteng and the Western Cape, which are the hardest hit provinces, contributed to the country’s highest increase in the last 24 hours.

Gauteng’s infection rate grew by 3 063, followed by the Western Cape with 1 896, Eastern Cape 1 654, KwaZulu-Natal 958, North West 206, Free State 158 and Limpopo 44.

Overall, the country has 159 333 confirmed Coronavirus infections.

Meanwhile, 92 people died of COVID-19 related illnesses; 37 are from the Western Cape, 28 from Gauteng, 17 from the Eastern Cape and 10 from KwaZulu-Natal.

“This brings the total deaths to 2 749,” the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize said, adding that the mortality rate is now sitting at 1.7%.

Also, 76 025 people have recovered from the disease, while 1 666 939 tests have been conducted to date.

As of Wednesday, the Western Cape had 64 377 cases, Gauteng 45 944, Eastern Cape 29 340, KwaZulu-Natal 10 632, North West 4 393, Free State 1 672, Mpumalanga 1 306, Limpopo 1 175 and Northern Cape 494.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are 10 357 662 cases globally and 508 055 deaths.