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Almost 5 000 Wits students have received laptops, delivered by the South African Post Office (SAPO), to enable online learning during the nationwide lockdown.

Through its Speed Services Courier Unit, SAPO delivered the laptops to the homes of disadvantaged Wits students across South Africa, including in rural areas.

Due to the national COVID-19 lockdown, Wits University suspended contact teaching and commenced with emergency remote teaching and learning on 20 April 2020.

In its transition to online learning, Wits established a mobile computing bank, which granted qualifying students access to a mobile device for online learning purposes.

A partnership with the SAPO ensured that students, who needed mobile devices, could continue learning during the lockdown. SAPO successfully delivered these devices to the homes of students.

SAPO Acting CEO, Ivumile Nongogo, thanked the SAPO staff, who ensured the seamless delivery of mobile devices to Wits students.

“I want to commend our drivers and other employees for their dedication during this time when regular transport connections were not available.

“This is another example of the role that the Post Office plays in making South Africa’s infrastructure work and bringing services to the people,” he said.

Professor Adam Habib, the Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, expressed his deep gratitude towards the SAPO.

“All devices were delivered promptly by SAPO employees to students at various locations across the country, including many rural areas, thus enabling the students to participate in the university’s online academic programme.

“We are appreciative of the SAPO and its efficient delivery of services that has positively impacted on the lives of thousands of students,” he said.

Habib lauded the project as an example of how public institutions can work together efficiently to achieve a common good that benefits society.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury has set up a mechanism to monitor how provincial departments, municipalities and public entities are utilising the COVID-19 procurement fund.

Delivering his department’s R718.763 million 2020/21 Budget Vote on Wednesday, Provincial Treasury MEC, Ravi Pillay, reiterated that the department cannot do the procurement itself, as departments remain responsible and respective Accounting Officers remain accountable.

“The Provincial Treasury has started monitoring expenditure related to COVID-19 by municipalities, public entities and departments.

“Risks such as the possible purchase of items not related to COVID-19, while using the emergency procurement regulations and instruction notes, have been identified,” Pillay said.

As part of government’s response to the pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa in April announced a R500 billion economic support package. Part of this was a reprioritisation of R130 billion from national and provincial budgets. Of that, R30 billion is being reprioritised from the provincial budgets, with KwaZulu-Natal’s share of that amount being R6.2 billion.

The Provincial Treasury’s main tasks during this time of the COVID-19 crisis, Pillay said, is capacitating Supply Chain Management on the new COVID-19 emergency procurement regulations.

“We are acutely aware of the risks that are already manifesting themselves. We will undertake the training of Supply Chain Management to ensure that departments can procure commodities on an emergency basis, in line with the emergency procurement regulations, without compromising on quality, specifications and value for money,” said the MEC.

Pillay predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic could catapult unemployment in the province to an unprecedented 40% from the current 25%.

“Our preliminary projections as Provincial Treasury suggest that the effects of COVID-19 will be detrimental across all sectors of the economy in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

However, the hardest hit industries include manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, hotel, finance, real estate, business services and personal services.

“The scourge of COVID-19 is expected to cause the overall demand for goods and services to drop by about 7.5% in the province. The provincial GDP is expected to contract by approximately 8.5%, with employment falling by a staggering 14.6% this year.

“It is therefore critical that we are not distracted from the tasks at hand. The infection peak is yet to come. The economic crisis will deepen. The Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal has been hard at work, rolling out the four pillars of our response,” said Pillay.

On one hand, the department will have to meet the demands of the public health response ahead of the anticipated peak of the wave of infection.

“On the other hand, we must mitigate the economic loss and prepare the ground for a sustained economic recovery. This requires a very special, united and collective effort,” said the MEC.

Worldwide, the pandemic has exposed the faultlines in society between the rich and poor.

“In our country, this is an exceptionally serious faultline, with a toxic overlap between race and inequality. All our measures in response to this crisis must also be underpinned by principles of transformation.

“We are encouraged that all levels of society seem to understand and accept this imperative. It has to be economic recovery and economic transformation. We can only achieve this together,” Pillay said.

Guided by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), Provincial Treasury will continue to strive to be the ‘Guardian of the Public Purse’, he said.

In an effort to weed out corruption in its ranks, the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday nabbed eight of its own in a pre-dawn operation across the country.

The eight are among the 14 arrested by an Anti-Corruption Task Team during the operation. Among the arrested are senior police officers and six company owners and directors.

In a statement, Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said among the arrested senior officers was a former SAPS Lieutenant General.

“[They were arrested] on warrants of arrest issued on multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering,” he said.

The Special Anti-Corruption Task Team, led by Brigadier Tony Perumal, was set up by Police Commissioner, General Khehla John Sitole, following serious allegations of corruption and related crimes, which date back to 2017.

“This team and its investigations have been supported by a prosecution team from the Investigative Directorate within the National Prosecuting Authority, under the leadership of Advocate Hermione Cronje,” said Naidoo.

Since 2017, this task team has been conducting a widespread intensive investigation into tender fraud related to the marking of police vehicles. During these investigations, nine members of the SAPS, including senior officers, private company directors and employees are alleged to have been involved in an elaborate act to defraud the State.

Among those arrest are:

Retired Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena, 60 years old, (Former Divisional Commissioner: Supply Chain Management, Pretoria Head Office), arrested in Rethabile;

– Brigadier James Ramanjalum, 55, (Former Section Head Procurement) arrested in Rooihuiskraal;

– Brigadier Jabez Naidoo, 49, (Station Commander: Point Police Station, KZN and Former SCM Head, Western Cape) arrested in Durban;

– Brigadier Lesetja David Mogotlane, 57, (Section Head: Mechanical Services) arrested in Soshanguwe;

– Colonel Thomas Dumisani Marima, 50, (Section Commander: Vehicles and Tactical Equipment);

– Lieutenant Colonel Veeran Naipal, 47, (Vehicle Support: Pretoria Central Garage);

– Lieutenant Colonel Alpheus Nkosibanke Makhetha, 46, (Technical Expert: Vehicle Fleet);

– Admin Clerk Jacoba Magadela Havenga, 49, (Chief Prov Clerk: New Vehicle Store, WC);

– SAC Marcell Duan Marney,33, (Chief Provisioning Clerk to Brigadier Ramanjalum);

– Krishna Chetty, 62, arrested in Centurion;

– Kishene Chetty, 38, arrested in Centurion;

– Lorrette Joubert, 44, (Owner of Vatika Trading), arrested in Mountain View, Pretoria;

– Maricha Joubert, 24, arrested in Mountain View, Pretoria;

– Kumarasen Prithviraj (owner of Kgotho) arrested in Mountain View, Pretoria, and

– Volan Prithviraj (son of Kumarasen) arrested in Pretoria.

The pending arrest of a Lieutenant Colonel will bring the total to 10 the number of police officers arrested, said Naidoo.

Sitole praised the task team for the zest and determination they showed in the pursuance of this investigation.

“I have been kept abreast of this extensive and very complicated investigation since its inception.

“I am confident that the cases against the arrested suspects are water-tight,” said Sitole.

The suspects are expected to appear in court/s yet to be determined either today or tomorrow.

“We cannot rule out the possibility of more arrests being effected in this matter,” said Sitole, adding that corruption within SAPS will neither be condoned nor tolerated.

The Competition Tribunal has found two Gauteng mask suppliers guilty of inflating prices since the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the Competition Tribunal’s spokesperson Gillian de Gouveia, TNT Basic Trading (TNT) admitted to contravening the Competition Act by significantly increasing its mark-up and gross profit margin on FFP2 respiratory face masks from January 2020 to February 2020.

The Boksburg company has since agreed to immediately cease from the excessive pricing conduct, reduce its mark-up on FFP2 respiratory face masks with immediate effect for the duration of the state of national disaster, and develop, implement and monitor a competition law compliance programme.

TNT will also be donating 182 boxes of 3-ply surgical face masks, valued at R150 to the Tsakane Society for the Care of the Aged, Elethu Daveyton Cheshire Home and the Bophelong Empilweni New Life Community Project in Tembisa.

“The Commission further found that TNT has market power in the market for the supply of face masks in the Gauteng province, given the current pandemic and national state of disaster, and its ability to significantly escalate its mark-ups,” the Tribunal said.

Meanwhile, a Krugersdorp hardware store, Auction and Salvage Net (Pty) Ltd, has also been found to have violated the Competition Act.

And while the company has denied excessive pricing claims, it agreed to donate R9 521.74 to the Solidarity Fund, reduce its gross profit margin on facial masks and develop, implement and monitor a competition law compliance programme.

On Monday, the Tribunal reported that it found Babelegi Workwear and Industrial Supplies CC (Babelegi) guilty of excessive pricing in South Africa’s first contested excessive pricing case in the context of COVID-19.

The Tribunal said the local manufacturer of medical facemasks earned a mark-up in excess of 500% between 31 January 2020 and 5 March 2020, by increasing the price of a box of facemasks from R41 to R500.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed confidence that the aviation industry and the country’s airports will adhere to COVID-19 regulations and directives, as the sector reopens.

The Minister made the declaration on Wednesday at the O.R Tambo International Airport, where he was inspecting the airport’s adherence to lockdown regulations and directions.

“These regulations and directives are there for the protection of all people and we expect absolute compliance,” said Mbalula.

He said government understood the need for a balanced gradual reopening of the economy and safety and good health.

“I am confident that our airports will play a central role in reigniting the economy, reconnecting our economic hubs, while strictly operating under these conditions.”

During the visit, the Minister observed that ORTIA had vending machines for personal protective equipment (PPE) and witnessed social distancing within the facility.

During the visit, airport leadership demonstrated how cabins were being disinfected and prepared as restriction flight operations resume.

“I am satisfied that the airport has started out well and we expect this to continue. Now that we have started with opening up aviation, we must look ahead with determination in order for the transport sector to perform its vital economic role.”

Over and above the approval of the ORTIA procedures, he said, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has approved the procedures for Cape Town International and is currently reviewing the procedures for King Shaka International.

“In terms of the readiness of the airlines, I would like to state that the airlines, including charters, have also submitted their procedures, which are being reviewed by the SACAA,” he said.

Level 3 regulations

At the weekend, the Minister outlined regulations at which airlines would resume operations under lockdown level 3.

At this level, only passengers are allowed inside the terminal buildings. Temperature screening will become a norm at terminal building entrances before any passenger is allowed entry. Passengers without facemasks will not be given access to terminal buildings, Mbalula said.

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) is expected to ensure effectiveness of the sanitisation process before entering the terminal buildings, which may result in the number of entrances being reduced.

“All the airports will have markings on the floor for social distancing of 1.5 metres. This will be applicable at check-in counters, security checkpoints and airport lounges,” the Minister said.

At boarding gates, boarding will be staggered and prioritised in terms of the number of passengers waiting to board. Sectional boarding will be implemented to avoid unnecessary contact inside the aircraft.

“Inside the cabin, full capacity will be allowed. It must be noted that the risk of COVID-19 infection on board a commercial passenger airliner is lower than in many other confined spaces. All our commercial aircrafts are fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These are manufactured to the same standard as those used in hospital operating theatres and industrial clean rooms, with the same efficacy of 99.97% in removing viruses,” Mbalula said.

Catering and magazines will not be allowed in the cabin. Last rows to be reserved for isolation of suspected cases, should they be detected on board.

Loading capacity for all airport buses must be limited to 70%. The buses must be disinfected after off-loading. Drivers, baggage handlers and ground handlers must be fully equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE),” said the Minister.

On arrival, all passengers will be screened as they enter terminal buildings, with suspected cases referred to Port Health.

While the launch of Youth Month this year took place virtually due to lockdown restrictions, South African youth will still get to participate in a range of activities throughout June.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, along with the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, on Monday launched Youth Month under the theme, ‘Youth Power: Growing South Africa together in the Period of COVID-19’.

The theme is a rallying call for youth to play their part in curbing the spread of Coronavirus.

“As we try and transition to a better world, you, as young people, will be the leaders of that world, and therefore, this is probably the most important month of June that will be commemorated in our democratic history,” said National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) CEO, Waseem Carrim, at the virtual launch.

Over the month of June, the following activities will take place:

•             The Department of Social Development is leading Child Protection Week from 31 May – 7 June under the theme, ‘Let us all protect children during COVID-19 and beyond’.

•             The NYDA is currently running a Youth Month competition from 25 May to 30 June. The weekly prizes to be won include data, routers and tablets, etc.

•             On Monday 1 June, the NYDA also launched the Trailblazers Campaign, calling for young people, who have achieved in their line of work against all odds. This year, the campaign will also focus on young people at the forefront of COVID-19. The campaign runs until 8 June 2020.

•             The NYDA is leading the Biz Alive Campaign, which calls for young entrepreneurs to submit information about their businesses to be marketed on the platforms of the agency. The campaign kicked-off on 2 June.

•             The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is leading the Youth in Creative Industries webinar series to showcase and profile young people within design, performing arts and visual arts. The creative webinar series runs from 2 – 30 June 2020.

•             On 3 June 2020, the NYDA will profile beneficiaries of the ‘1000 Businesses in a 100 days’ project.

•             On 14 June, the NYDA will also host the National Youth Service Day to showcase programmes and works that have been undertaken by 13 National Youth Service Programmes of several departments.

•             The NYDA will on Monday, 15 June host a nationwide webinar on the Youth Micro Enterprise Relief Fund to outline the progress and to showcase the beneficiaries of the fund.

•             The South African State Theatre will stage a drama called, “The Fall” from 15 June – 5 July 2020. This frank collaborative work is based on #RhodesMustFall, #FeesMustFall and subsequent student movements’ demonstrations in 2015 and 2016. “The Fall” will add its voice to the national and worldwide debate and youth-led revolutions against injustices, inequality in education, cultural representation and many other contemporary conflicts.

•             The Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Government will host the provincial youth day on 15 June 2020 as a buildup event to the National Youth Day. This will be a virtual commemoration followed by the cultural programme.

•             The virtual Commemoration for the National Youth Day on 16 June 2020 @10h00 will take the form of a dialogue with young people, led by the President of the Republic of South Africa, HE Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

•             The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will host an online art exhibition showcasing the suffering and traumatic experiences of the youth during the South African War. The exhibition takes place from 17 June – 30 June 2020.

•             The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will host a webinar on menstrual health management to look at how young women are affected by the pandemic. Supply lines for sanitary products distributed via schools was disrupted as a result of the lockdown. This webinar will look into how government is responding to this, as well as other challenges facing young women when it comes to managing their menstrual cycle with dignity. (Date: TBC)

The entire country is encouraged to participate in Youth Month by recognising the present and future role of the youth in shaping the social and economic landscape of the country.

The national rollout date for the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act has been postponed as a result of the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

In August 2019, the AARTO Bill was signed into law. Although no date was officially promulgated, it was intended to take national effect by mid-2020.

The Transport department said the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak severely compromised the capacity of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), which is the entity responsible for the rollout of AARTO.

As a result of the outbreak, RTIA could not determine the rollout date and has suffered severe loss of revenue to support the preparatory activities.

“For this reason, RTIA is in no position, at this stage, to successfully conduct the national rollout of AARTO. The situation will be reviewed in due course for further determination as to when the rollout date will be promulgated,” said the department.

Half of the workers who benefited from R16.5 billion that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) disbursed as part of the COVID-19 lockdown relief are from Gauteng.

According to the Department of Employment and Labour spokesperson Teboho Thejane, Gauteng constitutes 1 516 441 beneficiaries of the 3 464 124 million workers who have already received the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).

“In monetary terms, this amounts to R7.9 billion and the workers who have been given the cash injection had their claims lodged by 111 385 employers,” he explained.

The second-highest recipient is the Western Cape with R2.7 billion paid to 549 156 workers represented by 54 077 employers; followed by KwaZulu-Natal with over R2.4 billion paid to 523 578 workers claimed by 42 136 employers and the Eastern Cape’s disbursement is under billion with R912 893 113 distributed to 186 789 workers represented by 18 495 employers.

Mpumalanga’s 185 329 workers represented by 15 443 employers received R886 million in cash; Free State with 115 701 workers represented by 14 388 employers claimed R557 million; Limpopo with 93 275 workers represented by 9 826 employers received R435 million and the North West received R459 million distributed to 88 215 workers who had their applications submitted by 9 184 employers.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape had the least number of claimants with R163 million paid to the province for 32 141 workers represented by 4 176 employers.

“These disbursements represent the April and part of May payments of R452 million which has been processed and paid since 1 June 2020,” the spokesperson said.

According to the UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping, the UIF is holding back R2.8 billion which could benefit 686 463 workers due to 107 202 employers not furnishing the UIF with the right details and the status of the workers.

“Ordinarily, feedback for payment or non-payment with reasons thereof together with acceptance or approval is sent to employers via automated process within 24 hours through the email address provided in addition to the online portal.”

The department said UIF continues to pay ordinary benefits which have increased by 1.64% from R2 475 231 742.20 to R2 516 525 813.48 and the number of claims rising by 2.76% from 358 048 to 368 243.

For further information, log on to our website www.uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19 or reach the UIF on the toll-free number 0800 030 007.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it has kept its promise to pay at least 100 000 clients who had applied for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant.

According to SASSA, by 31 May 2020, 116 867 clients were paid for the Special COVID-19 SRD Grant.

To date, over 35 million applicants were checked to confirm if they are either active SASSA grant recipients; are on the UIF database or receive an NSFAS stipend.

“We have received approximately 13 million enquiries/applications about the temporary special COVID-19 SRD grant as at Monday, 25 May 2020. About 6.3 million of these were valid complete applications.

“The rest were either duplicate applications, incomplete, had inconsistent data or were just pure enquiries,” said SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela.

Furthermore, the following progress has been realised:

• About 1 236 492 clients are being finalised through verification by SARS to confirm if they have an income.
• A total of 666 381 clients have been approved and SASSA is awaiting banking details information.
• Over 1 597 127 have been disapproved since the applicants have some or other means of income.

Applicants are reminded to respond immediately to the SMS received from SASSA and provide their banking details through the secure link.

This will enable SASSA to ensure payments are processed without delay to all eligible applicants. Citizens are reminded that there is no cut-off date for applications for this special relief grant. Anyone who meets the qualifying criteria, should lodge an application without delay.

Beneficiaries can also check the status of their applications online on https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status or by adding GovChat whatsapp on 082 046 8553, open chat, type “Status” and Send.

SASSA has also successfully implemented the increase of the child support grant by R300 per child in May 2020 and an additional R500 per caregiver from June to October 2020.

All other existing grants were increased by R250 per month from May to October 2020 (except for Grant in Aid).

The South African Government has taken note of the Johannesburg High Court ruling, which declared COVID-19 lockdown regulations in levels 3 and 4 unconstitutional and invalid.

The court, however, suspended the declaration of invalidity for a period of 14 days.

“This means that the Alert Level 3 regulations remain in operation for now,” government said in a statement.

The court has further directed the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in consultation with the relevant Ministers, to review, amend and republish the regulations with “due consideration to the limitation each regulation has on the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights”.

“Cabinet will make a further statement once it has fully studied the judgment,” the statement said.

The two levels are part of five that government introduced in an effort to gradually reopen the economy after the pandemic saw various sectors closed as a measure to curb the spread of the virus.