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The South African Post Office (SAPO) has commenced with the process of rolling out cashless ATMs that will serve as additional payment points for the payment of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants.

On Monday, the Post Office unveiled the first cashless ATM to pay SASSA social grants within the premises of Kagiso Trading, GG Location, in Rustenburg.

The launch marks the start of SAPO’s roll-out of more than 10 000 of these cashless ATM devises within spaza shops, township and rural areas’ merchants to avail financial services close to where people live.

In addition to accessing social grants, customers will be able to use the cashless ATMs to purchase pre-paid electricity and pre-paid airtime, pay municipality bills as well as other bills.

Other transactions that can performed on the ATMs include insurance activations and payments, money transfer, ticketing, transport solutions and balance inquiries.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Thembi Siweya said this solution will make a contribution in curbing the spread of Coronavirus by decongesting the current pay points.

“We support innovative initiatives in society, especially those that will improve service delivery in government. This solution promises to deliver multiple benefits for our society. Among others, it will promote local economy and empower informal traders, reduce the traveling cost for beneficiaries and decongest the current pay points,” Siweya said.

Deputy Minister of Postal and Digital Communications Technologies, Pinky Kekana, said the cashless ATM solution aligns with the department’s mandate to foster economic inclusion through technology innovations.

“The cashless ATM solution has multiple benefits for society and will contribute to decongesting the current SASSA grants payment points,” Kekana said.

Upon reaching any spaza shop, township and rural areas’ merchant, where a cashless ATM is installed, a SASSA social grant beneficiary will:

• Insert their SASSA card inside the ATM card slot and use their SASSA card PIN to initiate a transaction (in the same manner as they initiate a transaction from any other bank ATM).
• Select an amount they request to be debited on their SASSA card.
• If the debit is successful, the cashless ATM will print out two slips (A merchant and customer) confirming the debit.
• The customer will hand over the merchant slip to the spaza shop, and in exchange, the merchant will give the customer cash or goods to the value of the withdrawal.

Five suspects are to appear in the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape today on charges of business robbery and contravening the Disaster Management Act, said police.

The five were arrested on Sunday after three of the men robbed a supermarket in Mandela Ville in Kamesh. Two shop assistants were held at gunpoint, while others ransacked the store.

The men made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, an airtime machine and a cellphone before fleeing the scene in a beige Toyota Corolla.

Police later spotted the vehicle fitting the description driving at high speed in Melbrooks Street in Uitenhage and gave chase.

The vehicle was cornered and stopped in KwaNobuhle.

Inside the vehicle, police found a rifle, six cellphones and a backpack with cash and airtime machine among others.

All five occupants in the car were arrested and face charges of business robbery and a second charge of contravening the Disaster Management Act.

An earlier decision by government to allow the sale of cigarettes during the COVID-19 lockdown was rescinded after the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) consulted medical experts and various role-players.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said this on Monday after sections of society implied that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had arbitrarily gazetted the ban.

Previously President Ramaphosa had announced that the sale of tobacco products would be allowed when the country moved to Level 4 of the nationwide lockdown. Level 4 of the lockdown, aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, began on Friday, 1 May.

“After careful consideration and discussion, the NCCC reconsidered its position on tobacco. As a result, the regulations ratified by Cabinet and announced by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on 29 April extended the prohibition,” the President said in his weekly newsletter.

President Ramaphosa said the decision was made collectively.

“This was a collective decision and the public statements by both myself and the Minister were done on behalf of, and mandated by, the collective I lead.

“As of now – which is 46 days since we recorded our 100th coronavirus case – we have 6,783 confirmed cases. Italy, which has a similar size population to ours, had more than 140,000 cases and the United States had around 700,000 confirmed cases at the 46-day mark,” he said.
The President said every regulation was put in place after being carefully considered by government.

“The reality is that we are sailing in uncharted waters. There is still a great deal about the epidemiology of the virus that is unknown. It is better to err on the side of caution than to pay the devastating price of a lapse in judgment in future.”

Listening to citizens’ concerns

While there are differing views on some of the decisions government has taken – and in some instances these have polarised opinion – government, is making every effort to act in a way that advances the rights to life and dignity of all citizens.

“Listening to our people and their concerns during this period has been one of the distinguishing features of how we as government have managed this pandemic. We continue to listen to the concerns of our people and are prepared to make adjustments that balance people’s concerns about the challenges they face with the need to save lives,” said President Ramaphosa.

He emphasised that everyone’s energies must be focused on ensuring that health and life is preserved, that the delivery of food, water, healthcare, social security and social support is not disrupted.

“Under these extraordinary circumstances, as government, as individuals and as society we will at times make mistakes. When these occur, we will correct them. But we must carry on, losing neither our nerve nor our resolve.”

“The situation in which we find ourselves demands courage and patience. It requires goodwill and trust between you, the citizen, and your government, and between each other,” the President said.

Over the past five weeks, most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown regulations and, as a result, the country had slowed the spread of the virus.

President Ramaphosa said while scientific evidence indicates that the infection rate will continue to rise at a much faster rate in the next few months, the number of cases would be determined by how government responds.

“That is why the easing of the lockdown needs to be gradual and cautious,” he said.

The President said many regulations need to remain in place.

“It is for this reason that many regulations need to remain in place and why it is absolutely essential that people observe them. I know how difficult this is and I understand the concern that many of our compatriots have about how these regulations are interfering and limiting their rights. But all this is necessary. Our overriding objective is the preservation of life,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today receive — on behalf of government — a R1 billion consignment of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by global internet group Naspers South Africa.

The handover will take place at the Takealot Distribution Centre in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

The Naspers donation is a significant contribution to healthcare and to the partnership between government, the private sector and civil society at large in the fight against COVID-19.

Naspers procured the PPE and other medical supplies at great speed through its logistics and warehousing capability in Takealot and the group’s Tencent enterprise in the People’s Republic of China.

The group’s overall aid in response to the pandemic in South Africa is R1. 5 billion, consisting of R1 billion in PPE and R500 million to the Solidarity Fund.

While visiting the Takealot Distribution Centre to receive the medical supplies, President Ramaphosa will also be taken through a state-of-the art, high-tech distribution process of the PPE to various parts of the country.

While some will now breathe a sigh of relief that their lives will slowly return to normalcy, the road ahead is still steeped with sacrifices and curfews that need to be obeyed.

The country may be moving to less harsh lockdown restrictions, but government says this is no call for a free reign for all and still expects people to stay at home.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, it emerged that people will from Friday be permitted a once-off movement from one province to another.

From May 1, as the country kicks off level 4 COVID-19 lockdown regulations, 1.5 million workers will return to work posts as will fitness junkies, who will resume training regimens, albeit under strict conditions.

The regulations, which were gazetted on Wednesday by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will also see citizens now able to place orders to be delivered from their favourite restaurants. You can now also buy your cosmetic products to pamper yourself and do your own manicure and pedicure at home.

Dlamini-Zuma revealed all the developments during a ministerial briefing on the regulations relating to level 4 restrictions.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the gradual relaxing of regulation was an effort to resuscitate the country’s economy that was negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Dlamini-Zuma emphasised that this was not by any means the lifting of the lockdown, but adoption of the risk-adjusted approach to allow the economy to function.

Sale of cigarettes and alcohol prohibited

The sale of cigarettes and alcohol, however, remains prohibited.

“We debated the matter and looked at it and decided we must continue as we are when it comes to cigarettes and tobacco products and we decided not to open the sale,” she explained.

She said the reasons are health-related and also how tobacco is shared amongst people which encourages the spread of the virus.

Any form of liquor is also not permitted to be distributed.

“The non-sale of alcohol has freed the hospitals; our emergency hospitals and units are normal now. Our ICUs are not filled with people who have been stabbed or shot or raped or so on.”

She said this stance is assisting in fighting COVID-19.

“Besides that, alcohol attracts crowds. Very few people enjoy drinking alone. Besides that, it means that the police can do what they need to do and all the enforcement officers. The hospital can look after the sick and not the emergencies that comes from effects of alcohol,” she explained.

The government also thanked the public for comments that were received – over 70 000 submissions that they considered and about 800 from the business sector.

Exercise

“The most popular submission was on exercise, over 22 000 people wanted [to] exercise,” she said.

“You can leave to go exercise under strict conditions,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

Under the new regulation, people can cycle, run and walk within their neighbourhood of about a 5 km radius between 6 am and 9 am.

Movement of people

Under level 4, children who had visited relatives before the lockdown would be permitted to move back home.

Dlamini-Zuma said more people would be going to work under level 4, however, she stressed that people should stay at home after knocking off.

“It’s not a licence to visit your relatives or friends. So, between 8pm and 5am, if you’re not having a permit to be out, you have to be at home,” she added.

Those who work in Gauteng but live in neighbouring provinces like North West, Mpumalanga or Limpopo will be permitted to travel daily but should be in possession of a permit.

However, movements between provinces will not be allowed.

“They’re on a different level of the infection, others have higher rates of infections and we don’t want those at a higher rate of infection to keep moving to those at a moderate rate of infection.”

The regulations on funerals have not changed and close relatives still need a death certificate and permission from the police station or Magistrate to attend.

The borders – sea borders, air and land ports of entry – are still closed except for goods that are arriving or leaving the country.

The movement of people across borders is only allowed under exceptional circumstance for instance, if you are a South African stuck in another country.

“When they return, they must be quarantined for 14 days before they go to their families, homes or work because some will be coming from very high-risk countries where the infection is higher than it is here.”

Recreation movement is still not allowed.

The government said evictions from people’s residences are still not permitted.

Because more people will be going back to work – rail and busses and other forms of transport will now be operated under strict guidelines.

Transportation of cargo and all agricultural products, such as wine and wool, among others, will open for exportation.

People are still barred from going to beaches, flea-markets, night clubs and parks. Hairdressers’ doors will still be closed under level 4 because of the risk, despite a lot of people asking for it.

However, you can still go out and buy winter clothes, heaters and bedding to keep warm to curb the flu outbreak as winter approaches.

Work places must be COVID-19 ready

“We’re still encouraging people who can work at home to work at home.”

For those who will be returning to work, Dlamini-Zuma urged industries to prepare their workplaces.

She said no company should undermine sanitation, Personal Protective Equipment, using masks and social distancing.

“It’s important because if you’re not COVID-19 ready, the people come, you don’t screen them, you don’t adhere to protocol, sooner or later they’ll be a spread and that company will be forced to close,” she warned.

Therefore, telecom services and infrastructure and information and communication technology companies, are allowed to operate and service private homes as well.

Hotels and guesthouses will remain closed unless they are used for quarantine or essential services.

She said those who do not adhere to the COVID-19 regulations will be fined.

Government has outlined the process for the application of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant for individuals who are currently unemployed.

Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday in Pretoria, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said the qualifying applicants will be paid R350 per month from May – October 2020.

The grant forms part of the R500 billion economic and social relief measures announced by the President last week, as part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant will be implemented in terms of the existing avenue provided for by the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) channel, which is administered in accordance with the provisions as set in the Social Assistance Act, 2004,” the Minister said.

In terms of Regulation 9 (6), social relief may be provided to South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees who have been affected by a disaster.

This framework is currently administered through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) – however with limitations.

“The new special COVID-19 SRD grant requires a rather more complex approach, as the beneficiaries are not on the SASSA database or other government grant support programmes. It was therefore necessary to introduce new systems and new qualification criteria, and amend some regulations,” the Minister said.

The Department of Social Development will publicize the directions which will provide details on how this grant will be implemented.

“The system will go live immediately when the regulations are published and we envisage to start making payments by the 15th of May 2020. Those who have applied during the trial run will be contacted to provide further information,” the Minister said.

Qualifying criteria

The qualifying criteria for the special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress of R350 per month for distressed individuals is as follows:

1. The grant will be available to South African Citizens, Permanent Residents or Refugees registered on the Home Affairs system; who are resident within the borders of the Republic of South Africa;

2. Applicants must be:

✓ Above the age of 18;

✓ Unemployed;

✓ Not receiving any income;

✓ Not receiving any social grant;

✓ Not receiving any unemployment insurance benefit and does not qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits;

✓ Not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme; and

✓ Not a resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

Prospective Applicants will need to provide the following compulsory information for processing of their applications: 

✓ Identity Number/Department of Home permit;

✓ Name and Surname as captured in the ID (and initials);

✓ Gender and Disability;

✓ Banking details – Bank Name and Account Number;

✓ Contact details – Cell phone number;

✓ Proof of Residential Address;

Application process

An application for social relief of distress or a social grant may be lodged electronically over and above any other available means of lodging such applications.

The measures applicable include sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting SASSA or an E-mail to SRD@sassa.gov.za.

“We are still finalising additional access channels and including SMS, self-help desks and an online application process. We will give information on these soon.

“For people with no access to technology, volunteers will be trained to assist applicants who cannot use technology and will be provided with gadgets to capture details on behalf of applicants,” the Minister said.

Notification of the outcome for an application for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant will be provided in the same manner in which the application was made.

Payment of grant

Payment of the grant will be made mainly through bank accounts of the applicants and through cash send measures through banks.

“The benefit/grant will be paid from the date of approval up to the end of October 2020 provided the qualifying criteria listed continues to be met. So if applicants apply in June, their payments will be from June and there will be no back pay,” the Minister said.

Applicants should note that by virtue of application, all applicants grant consent to SASSA to verify their residency, sources of income and/or social security benefits with government departments and financial institutions; including – all ID/ Permits will be cross checked against other data sources.

“False applications will give rise to possible prosecution,” the Minister said.

All agricultural sectors will be allowed to operate – however, under strict conditions – under Level 4 of the nationwide lockdown aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.

Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday in Pretoria, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, said agriculture has been an essential service and has been operating on Level 5, but not all of it has been operating.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of lockdown restrictions from the beginning of May.

“We are allowing all of the sectors of agriculture to operate under strict conditions. We are going to open for exports of all agriculture, not only the wine makers but also Amarula, wool and other synthetic products for agriculture,” the Minister said.

Bee keepers will get permits that will allow them to operate at night as this is the time they harvest honey.

“We are also going to make sure the fishery sector is open for fishing. During the month of June we have a sardine run in parts of our country, proper directions will be given by  the Minister of Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries on how that will be done,” she said.

The Minister has emphasized the importance for the sector to ensure proper distancing in the workplace and the provision of protective clothing (PPE) for workers and farmers.

In terms of the livestock industry, auctions will take place but under very strict conditions.

“We will limit the numbers to 50 but proper distancing must be observed so that we do not allow those centres of auctions to become epicentres for spreading the virus,” the Minister said.

Some of the supporting industries that enable the agriculture sector to function such as those that relate to mechanization, tractors, comlines and other implements that are required for production, will be allowed to operate.

“We have also ensured that areas such as shops that sell agricultural chemicals, seeds as well as fertilizers should also be open so that farmers can be able to get seeds and manures and other related input for them to operate. Forestry will be permitted as well as the inspection, certification and quality control done for food safety is allowed,” the Minister said.

Didiza noted that the sector is one of those that are important and critical for the economy and livelihoods.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 5 350, with 103 deaths reported.

This is an increase of 354 from Tuesday. “This is the highest number of cases in a 24 hour cycle recorded to date and represents a 73% increase relative to the day before,” said Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Wednesday evening.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 197 127, of which 11 630 were done in the last 24 hours.

“Regrettably, we report a further 10 deaths today from Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 103.

“We convey our condolences to the families of the deceased and appreciate the health workers who treated the deceased patients,” said Mkhize.

The provincial breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases are as follows: Eastern Cape: 630; Free State: 113; Gauteng: 1408; KwaZulu-Natal: 956; Limpopo: 31; Mpumalanga: 31; North West: 29; Northern Cape: 17; Western Cape: 2 135; and Unknown: 0.

Western Cape

Mkhize said the number of new cases in the Western Cape almost doubled from 133 the day before to 264 today. He said this was also the highest number of new cases in the province in any 24 hour cycle.

“Also of note is that this province has the highest positivity yield from their tests in the past 24 hours at 7.5% when compared to other provinces.

“These concerning trends have prompted us to plan for additional support to be deployed to the province to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The province has been asked to recruit additional personnel and 30 Cuban doctors will also be sent to reinforce the human resource capacity,” said the Minister.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Chair of the African Union (AU), convene a virtual meeting with the Chairpersons of the AU Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on Wednesday to discuss the Coronavirus pandemic.

The meeting is held against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in over 200 000 deaths and more than two million infections globally.

“COVID-19 has not spared Africa, with 33 273 cases reported by 28 April 2020, including 1 467 deaths. Reports indicate that the number of infections across the continent is rising, with huge implications for public health systems which will be severely challenged by the exponential curve of infections,” the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The meeting will provide the Chairs with an update on the steps undertaken by the AU Bureau to combat the pandemic. These steps include the establishing the Africa COVID-19 Response Fund.

“The socio-economic and humanitarian impact of COVID-19 in Africa is likely to be felt months if not years after the epidemic, even as Africa implements economic measures to mitigate the epidemic risks,” the Presidency said.

President Ramaphosa will outline the strategies and measures that the AU Bureau has put in place, first, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic and secondly, to deal with the massive economic impact.

The meeting will also provide a platform for REC Chairpersons to outline actions taken and plans being implemented at regional level in response to COVID-19.

“The RECs are the building blocks and implementing arms of the AU. They have been central to various transformative programs of the continent, including the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) adopted in 2001, the AU’s Agenda 2063 adopted by its Summit in January 2015, and its First Ten-Year Implementation Plan,” the Presidency said.

The eight African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are:

•    Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Chaired by Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Mr Fayez Fustafa al-Sarraj (Libya);
•    Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Chaired by President Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar);
•    Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN–SAD), Chaired by President Idriss Deby Itno (Chad);
•    East African Community (EAC), Chaired by President Paul Kagame (Rwanda);
•    Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Chaired by President Ali Bongo (Gabon);
•    Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Chaired by President Issoufou Mahamadou (Niger);
•    Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Chaired by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (Sudan); and
•    Southern African Development Community (SADC), Chaired by President John Magafuli (Tanzania).

The President is convening this virtual meeting from his private residence in Johannesburg.

The Employment and Labour Department has expressed satisfaction at the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s disbursement of R5 billion in relief to workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak lockdown.

This comes after the department said it has tweaked its systems to ensure that more pertinent information is available on its online platform for it to operate more efficiently.

According to Employment and Labour spokesperson Teboho Thejane, the department upgraded the system to allow employers, employees and organised labour to monitor which companies have been paid.

“This is in respect to several queries where workers have been unable to determine if their companies have applied for and received payment on their behalf from the Department of Employment and Labour COVID-19 Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS),” he said.

“This relieves the overwhelmed call centre as information is available on the fingertips.”

These enhancements have seen the UIF paying just over R5 billion in combined normal and COVID-19 benefits since April 16.

As of Wednesday, the UIF has paid more than 1 035 303 workers COVID-19 TERS relief benefits to the tune of R4 109 434 596.70. For normal benefits, the UIF has paid nearly R1 billion.

Employers will also now be able to log on and check the status of their claims and see the schedule of the approved claim which shows how much is due to each employee.

“Again, employers have inundated the UIF with requests for information on the exact amounts for different employees,” he explained.

In addition to that, employers who do not know their UIF reference number but know their Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) can now retrieve the UIF number by using their PAYE number.

UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping said as a public service institution, they must ensure that they listen to their stakeholders and make necessary adjustments to make sure those who use their services do so with relative ease and minimal issues.

“We continue to listen to our stakeholders, and we will make a further enhancement to the system in response to the identified needs of our stakeholders,” said Maruping.

The enhancements have also ensured that the online systems for claims capturing, processing and eventual payment have been stress-tested and came out tops with the overflow of applications that have been received.

“At some stage, it looked like our system could not handle the overwhelming interest but we are happy that we have managed to meet the demand and pay in record time – with some people indicating that they have been paid within 24-hours of lodging the claims,” said the Commissioner.

The department urged and continues to urge employers to apply for relief on behalf of their employees. The figures paid to-date represent successful claims submitted by 72 221 employers.

However, claims by some 55 169 employers representing 361 557 workers are still in abeyance pending submission of further particulars by employers.

“This means that these workers are missing out on one and a half billion rand (R 1 469 123 104.45) and the Department of Employment and Labour has appealed again to employers to help with further information.”