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The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development says good progress, has been made in the investigation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Limpopo’s Molemole Municipality.

The department said following initial trace-back exercises, the outbreak was linked to four auctions held at two auction premises in September and October 2019.

“Testing of the primary linked locations is almost completed and a number of secondary locations have been identified for follow-up testing. Precautionary quarantine has already been lifted on 127 of the linked locations that have since tested negative,” the department said on Tuesday.

Since the start of the outbreak in November 2019, 19 locations that tested positive for FMD have been identified.

“The last positive location case was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on 26 February 2020 and no new positive locations have been identified since. Quarantine has been lifted on three locations, with 16 properties remaining under quarantine,” said the department.

Meanwhile, Minister Thoko Didiza lifted the blanket ban on the gathering of animals on 17 February 2020.

“This temporary ban was instituted as a means to prevent the explosive spread of the disease,” the department said.

Departmental veterinary services continue to liaise with affected farmers to enable them to slaughter cattle from quarantined feedlots at abattoirs specifically approved for this purpose.

The department has reiterated that FMD is not contagious to humans and the meat from animals that have recovered from the disease is safe for human consumption.

“Owing to the disease risk posed by high-risk materials, such as heads, feet, and offal, specific measures have been introduced to prevent any inadvertent disease spread through these products.”

Permission granted to slaughter animals on affected premises

The department has granted permission to eight feedlots to safely slaughter animals from affected premises at two abattoirs designated for this purpose.

“This process is continuing and more than 9 000 animals from farms under quarantine have been safely processed.  Once all animals on affected properties have been slaughtered, quarantine can be lifted and the farming operations can resume.”

Beef trading resumes

The trade of beef with most trade partners has resumed with most retaining the negotiated agreements for safe commodities.

“The latest trade of beef to open was the Kingdom of eSwatini. Updated information was supplied to the veterinary authorities in order to provide assurance on the safe trade of commodities from other provinces.”

The department has also advised livestock owners and traders to be cautious when moving animals and to take the “buyer beware” precautions.

The most important points to remember remain:

• Do not move animals showing signs of disease;
• Do not buy animals from unknown origins;
• Do not buy animals originating from known infected areas;
• Only buy animals from known and proven sources;
• Insist on a veterinary health declaration before animals are brought onto the farm; and
• Always place new arrivals in isolation until you can satisfy yourself of their health status.

FMD free zone status

Meanwhile, the department has warned that the lifting of the temporary ban on gatherings of animals does not imply that the outbreak in the free zone has been declared over.

“Once the process of following up on all linked premises has been concluded, the department will embark on a general surveillance strategy in the areas affected by the November 2019 outbreak.  The outcome of which will determine the process of regaining international FMD free zone status going forward.”

The department acknowledged the livestock industry, including the veterinary officials on the ground, and the affected farmers for their concerted efforts and cooperation.

National government has made available more than R5 billion in support to municipalities to assist them in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2019/20 municipal financial year.

The support will assist municipalities provide additional access to basic services for vulnerable communities during the lockdown and to sanitize public transport facilities as the economy undergoes a phased re-opening.

“The largest amounts have been made available through the reallocation of conditional grant funds already allocated to municipalities in 2019/20. While the 2019/20 national and provincial financial years ended on 31 March 2020, the municipal financial year runs until 30 June 2020,” said Treasury in a statement on Tuesday.

This said Treasury, means that grant funds transferred from national government before the end of March 2020, still have another three months to be spent by municipalities.

“National Treasury has granted approvals that funds transferred to municipalities but not contractually committed can be reallocated to be used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.

These reallocations approved in terms of section 20(6) of the Division of Revenue Act, 2019, include:

• · R2.4 billion in Urban Settlements Development Grant allocations to metropolitan municipalities. These funds will be used for providing water and sanitation, mainly in under-serviced informal settlements and to cover the increased costs of more frequent waste management and other services.
• · R1.5 billion in Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocations can be reallocated for the provision of water and sanitation, including where urgent maintenance is needed to restore the functionality of water infrastructure.
• · R970 million in Public Transport Network Grant allocations may be reallocated, mainly for sanitisation of public transport facilities.
• · R306 million in the indirect Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant was reallocated at the end of the 2019/20 national financial year and transferred to Rand Water to fund the roll-out of water tanks to supply communities without reliable access to water services.

As the numbers of Eastern Cape COVID-19 infections continue to spread like wildfire, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says they are working around the clock to contain transmissions.

Speaking in the province where he was monitoring COVID-19 responses on Monday, Mkhize said he was pleased about the additional beds put in place to deal with the high number of COVID-19 patients.

The Eastern Cape now has the fourth-highest number of infections in the country, while the Western Cape remains in the lead.

Mkhize met with Premier Oscar Mabuyane as well as Health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba, Head of departments and senior management.

Additionally, a team of health workers is going to be stationed in areas identified as hotspots such as Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay.

The province has already employed 800 nurses within the past few weeks while additional doctors will also be brought in as a response to the virus.

Cuban doctors who are specialists in managing the disease are also being roped in.

“The Cuban doctors came here out of their love for humanity,” said the Minister, adding that these doctors are assisting in various countries around the world.

“I don’t think it’s correct to have all these knives and jabs and negative sentiments because of it just an unnecessary stereotype.”

Cuban health professionals arrived in the country in April to support efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.

He said government is working hard in addressing the rapid increase of infections.

“In our discussion with our Premier, [it emerged] that the proximity to the Western Cape means these provinces are operating as an ecosystem where the numbers are showing a particular trend in increasing in an upward trajectory,” he said.

Challenges

He told journalists that additional programmes to deal with  containment measures are in place in communities.

A major challenge, he said, is the attendance of funerals, with people travelling between the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape to bury their loved ones.

The Minister has pleaded with citizens to take precautionary measures where funerals are concerned, as they bring together a lot of people and contribute to the spread.

“People tend to be closer and we must remember funerals shouldn’t have more than 50 people.”

He said that memorial services and night vigils should be discontinued.

“We are aware that exchanging of utensils or shovels could pose a risk,” he warned.

He urged those attending  funerals to wear gloves and where possible, use tractors or other equipment when closing the graves.

Facemasks

Mkhize reminded South Africans that the wearing of masks is now compulsory.

“Cloth masks are acceptable because we must keep specialised masks for health workers at the forefront.”

He said it is paramount to protect societies, while also calling on community members not to sitgmatise those who have been infected.

“Our people shouldn’t discriminate against anyone who is infected and people mustn’t run away or hide the information when they’re positive so that they can be assisted,” he said.

Meanwile, additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be procured to protect health workers.

On the public screening front, he said the Eastern Cape has screened a million people for the virus.

Mkhize expressed satisfaction with the way the province is dealing with social relief and economic activities.

“All of these issues indicated the provincial government is on top of its game and trying its best to respond as expected.”

As the world today marks International Nurses Day, South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Chairperson, Deputy President David Mabuza, has saluted local nurses for their service against the novel Coronavirus.

Each year on 12 May, the world observes International Nurses Day to mark and recognise the significant contribution that nurses make to society.

“We take this opportunity to convey our special and sincere gratitude to all our nurses throughout the country, for their dedication in providing healthcare support to our people,” he said on Tuesday.

The Deputy President said nurses play an important role in saving lives by providing quality treatment and care.

“Whilst our country and indeed the whole world is confronted by the COVID-19 virus, which affects all elements of the social and economic fabric, it is our nurses as frontline workers, who care and instil hope in the minds of the patients,” said Deputy President Mabuza.

In line with the 2020 theme of ‘Nursing the world to health’, Deputy President Mabuza lauded the meaningful role played by nurses in the fight against COVID-19, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) in the face of current unprecedented workload of tracing, testing and treating patients with COVID-19, while also keeping with other essential health services.

The Deputy President called on South Africans to celebrate nurses as unsung heroes who risk their lives in the frontline of the fight against the virus.

Through SANAC, he called on all South Africans to screen for HIV and TB so that they may be put on treatment and as such, they would not be worse off should they be infected by COVID-19.

Equally, he implored those that are already on treatment for HIV and TB to continue with their treatment uninterrupted so that their bodies can withstand the infection should they get infected with COVID-19.

“This is an opportune moment for all South Africans to know their status so that we take the necessary actions about our life,” he said.

The Deputy President called on citizens to work together as partners, to contribute in the fight against this battle through ensuring that:

• Everyone knows their health status;
• Trace, find, diagnose and place on treatment the missing TB patients;
• Intensify the fight against stigma and discrimination against those infected with TB, HIV; and extend our support to those testing positive to COVID-19 virus.

“We further call on all our people across the country, to observe this important day,  International Nurses Day, by expressing messages of gratitude to all our nurses who are at the frontline of our health care service in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Deputy President Mabuza.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has noted a resurgence of positive cases in East London, where 98 inmates tested positive for COVID-19.

“Additionally, six officials and three inmates were confirmed to be positive in the Western Cape, whilst Kimberly registered one  case of an official. As a result, the total number of positive cases is now at 321,” said DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.

In a bid to curb the further spread of the virus, the department appointed a medical advisory panel and an additional 393 nursing personnel, to avail immediate expertise in the management of infections, prevention and control measures.

“This measure is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of the department in dealing with COVID-19, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape,” said Nxumalo.

The department said the number of recoveries has increased to 92.

The provincial breakdown of COVID-19 cases is as follows:

Eastern Cape – 223

Officials – 50

Inmates – 173

59 recoveries

2 deaths

Western Cape – 81

Officials – 73

Inmates – 8

Recoveries – 30

One death

Limpopo – 2

Officials – 2

Inmates – 0

One recovery

Gauteng – 13

Officials – 4

Inmates – 9

One recovery

Northern Cape

Officials – 1

Head Office

Officials – 1

One recovery

Deeds offices across the country will as of Wednesday 13 May, reopen their doors under strict guidelines.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development announced the reopening in a statement on Monday.

“All services will be available and all lodgements will be accepted. The members of the public and clerks will however, not be allowed in the buildings. Only conveyancers will be allowed to enter the buildings and in big offices, however, their consultations will be controlled through appointments,” said the department.

In addition, the Office of the Chief Registrar will load all notices for applications for copies of lost deeds on DeedsWeb for public inspection.  Information will be available for the public on DeedsWeb and via emails.

The Chief Registrar of Deeds has issued a notice that no deeds trading account debt will incur any interest during the lockdown.

Level 4 lockdown regulations require that the department puts in place the necessary health measures to ensure smooth running of the offices.

Deeds registration, has been identified as an essential service, according to COVID-19 level 4 lockdown regulations, as of 01 May 2020.

Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu has appointed Advocate Terry Motau to lead a team of lawyers to probe corruption allegation reports at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

“I have directed Motau and a team that he is going to be working with, that l want all reports on fraud, corruption and irregular expenditure of the department and all Water Boards to be reviewed and all recommendations implemented. Officials and service providers involved in corruption must face the consequences,” the Minister said on Tuesday.

Sisulu said there is a lack of consequence management in the DWS, and as a result, many officials implicated in fraud and corruption remain at work or are suspended with pay.

She said priority must be given to all allegations facing Water Boards and senior managers of the DWS.

“I received a report that more than R16 Billion worth of projects have been issued irregularly, including blanket corruption and fraud by officials, to an extent of awarding tenders to themselves and close relatives. This will not happen on my watch,” Sisulu said.

Motau has been involved in a number of high-profile investigations with the recent one being the “Great Bank Heist” which focused on corruption and looting at VBS Bank in Limpopo.

“We believe that Motau has the necessary experience and will lead a team of professionals to make sure that in the water sector there is consequence management and value for money,” the Minister said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will this week announce the department’s preparations with regards to the reopening of schools.

At Thursday’s media briefing, the Minister is expected to provide details that include the final dates and detailed plans, for the phased approach to the possible reopening of schools.

The scheduled briefing follows a series of meetings the Minister held with stakeholders in the basic education sector on Monday.

The purpose of the meetings were to consider the state of readiness for the reopening of schools.

“These consultative sessions happened ahead of the Minister’s return to the National Coronavirus Command Council set to take place on Tuesday, May 12. Cabinet is also scheduled to sit on Wednesday where it is expected that the Recovery Plan of the Education Sector will also be discussed,” said the Basic Education department.

The first meeting held was that of the Council of Education Ministers (Ministers and MECs).

This was followed by another meeting with the leadership of teacher unions. The  last session was held with the School Governing Body Associations and the South African Principals Association.

“The Minister wishes to reassure South Africans that the safety of teachers and learner and all employees is paramount in all the decisions that are taken,” said the department on Monday.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is seeking public comment on a guideline for the compilation of a mandatory code of practice for the mitigation and management of COVID-19 in the mining sector.

“This is in compliance with the outcome of a recent labour court process, and is part of efforts by the department – as regulator of the mining sector – to ensure the spread of the virus is contained and protect the health and safety of employees at mines, and other persons who may be directly affected,” the department said.

The draft Guideline for the Compilation of a Mandatory Code of Practice for the Mitigation and Management of COVID-19 Outbreak can be accessed and downloaded from the department’s websites, www.dmr.gov.za and/or www.energy.gov.za

The closing date for public comments is 14 May 2020.

Submissions must be sent by email to Lindiwe.Ndelu@dmre.gov.za , said the department in a statement on Tuesday.

South Africa has 10 652 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 206 deaths.

A total of 637 confirmed COVID-19 cases were announced on Monday with 12 new deaths recorded.

Meanwhile, the North West province recorded its first death.

Of  the 12 deaths recorded, nine were in the Western Cape , two in the Eastern Cape and one in KwaZulu-Natal.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and appreciate the health workers who treated these patients,” said Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The total number of recoveries stands at 4 357.

To date 356 067 COVID-19 tests have been conducted, 14 731 of which are new tests, since Sunday’s report.

The provincial breakdown of the COVID-19 cases is as follows:

Province                    New cases    Total cases    Percentage total

Eastern Cape           138                 1356                           12,7

Free State                 0                      135                            1,3

Gauteng                     19                    1971                         18,5

KwaZulu-Natal         19                    1372                           12,7

Limpopo                     0                      54                             0,6

Mpumalanga             2                      63                               0,6

North West                5                      50                               0,5

Northern Cape          1                      30                                0,3

Western Cape          453                 5 621                           52,8

Unknown                   0                      0                                  0,0

Total                           637                 10 652                        100