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The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has urged consumers to be careful of fake credit provider scams, as South Africa continues the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The NCR is warning consumers to be careful of scammers who act as legitimate credit providers, preying on vulnerable consumers during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of this pandemic has unfortunately left many consumers desperate for money with  some having to resort to borrowing,” said the NCR Chief Executive Officer, Nomsa Motshegare.

She said criminals have spotted an opportunity to exploit vulnerable people by posing as legitimate registered credit providers and offering loans with a condition of an “upfront payment”.

“The NCR has, during this period, been receiving queries from consumers about unregistered companies posing as registered credit providers, offering them loans via SMS and email. These scammers use the registration details of lawfully registered credit providers, inform consumers that the loan is approved and before the loan is paid out, they demand an upfront payment from the consumers.

“Once consumers pay this upfront payment, the scammers will disappear with no trace and no loan will be paid out to the consumer,” Motshegare said.

According to the National Credit Act (NCA), an upfront payment for a loan is unlawful and not allowed.

The agency, which falls within the ambit of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), urged consumers not to fall for this scam and to never pay any upfront fee for a loan.

Those who have fallen victim to this scam and have paid upfront fees should open criminal cases at their nearest South African Police Service (SAPS).

All registered credit providers’ details are listed on the NCR website www.ncr.org.za.

Work continues to map South Africa’s future – with Cabinet asking all clusters to work together to produce one consolidated document on key priorities regarding the country’s economic recovery plan that will used post the COVID-19 national lockdown.

The call was made during a virtual Special Cabinet Meeting held on Wednesday to discuss the socio-economic recovery plan, post the COVID-19 national lockdown.

This follows the announcement made by President Cyril Ramaphosa two weeks ago, that Cabinet have a full discussion to come up with an economic recovery plan for the country.

During the meeting, five presentations were received from the clusters. These included Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development; Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development; Social Protection, Community and Human Development; International Cooperation, Trade and Security; and Justice, Crime Prevention and Security.

The presentations were a culmination of the work done by all the Cabinet clusters, focusing on the country’s economic recovery as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent downgrading of South Africa by ratings agencies Moody’s and Fitch respectively.

Cabinet resolved that further discussions and consultations are still required before the final consolidated plan is approved to be shared with the nation.

“All the Cabinet clusters have been asked to work together to produce one consolidated document on key priorities of the country’s economic recovery plan, to be completed before the next Cabinet meeting scheduled to take place on Monday, 20 April 2020,” Cabinet said.

SAA report

Meanwhile, Cabinet has also directed Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan to prepare an updated report on national carrier South African Airways (SAA), for discussion at the upcoming meeting.

Cabinet will thereafter, finalise the country’s economic recovery plan.

Cabinet further thanked all across the country for staying at home during the lockdown period.

South Africa has expressed concern and alarm at the announcement by the President of the United States of America (USA) to cut funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) with immediate effect.

“South Africa is particularly alarmed that the decision is made amid a global health crisis that requires a full-capacity World Health Organisation to provide support in combatting the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is alarming that this very regrettable decision is announced as this deadly virus strikes Africa, and the poorest and most vulnerable states,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement on Wednesday.

WHO, as the lead UN Agency, is mandated to promote health and to ensure universal health coverage globally. It is tasked with leading global efforts to suppress the transmission and stop the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO is the sole global health agency, with the core focus on universal healthcare. As such, South Africa said the agency’s efforts to coordinate a genuine global response against COVID-19 should be recognised and supported.

With Coronavirus cases escalating at a rapid pace by the day, the announcement by the US to cut its funding to WHO is set to have a significantly adverse impact on its programmes, and the world’s ability to fight and eliminate this pandemic.

“This, at a time where now more than ever, the international community has to stand together and work in the spirit of human solidarity and cooperation with one another. We believe that, more than ever before, WHO deserves increased support from member states, in particular to bolster its efforts to suppress transmission and stop the pandemic,” DIRCO said.

South Africa, the department said, is hopeful that the United States government will reconsider its decision and re-join the international community in fighting this pandemic.

In a statement on Wednesday, WHO said the US decision was regrettable.

“We regret the decision of the President of the United States to order a halt in funding to the World Health Organisation.

While COVID-19 has topped the WHO’s focus in recent months, the agency is tasked with addressing diseases such as polio, measles, malaria, Ebola, HIV, tuberculosis, malnutrition, cancer, diabetes, mental health, among others.

WHO said it will review the impact on its work of any withdrawal of US funding, and will work with its partners to fill any financial gaps it may face to ensure its work continues uninterrupted.

“Our commitment to public health, science and serving all the people of the world without fear or favour remains absolute,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

In a bid to streamline and fast track COVID-19 related procurement processes, the Gauteng Health Department has urged suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) to register on its database.

Through a portal by the provincial Health Department, suppliers can indicate to the department what items they can provide.

“Attention is drawn to the National Treasury Instruction Note 8 of 2019-2020, which suppliers must familiarise themselves with, as it gives a guide on prices.

“As a department, we remain committed to empowering local manufacturers, BEE compliant business and business owned by designated groups – women, youth, township-based, people with disability and military veterans,” said Gauteng Health.

The department said this forms part of an important vehicle to contribute towards rebuilding the provincial economy.

“It should be noted that registration on the database does not in any manner or form waive the requirements for compliance outlined in the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and this database is meant strictly for those who provide PPE material,” said the provincial Department.

When completing the form, suppliers must indicate the category of PPE they are able to supply.

The main categories are as follows:

• Respiratory PPE (face masks / surgical masks, FFP2 masks box/pc, N95 masks);
• Hand washing PPE (sanitiser bottles, gloves box/pc);
• Face PPE (goggles units, visors);
• Body and other PPE (disposable gowns box/pc, caps box/pc, boots / overshoes, white plastic aprons, jumpsuit/coveralls) and
• Tools (Swabs units, Red Bags / Biohazard, Thermometer, ventilators, etc)
• Catering (meals at quarantine site).

To register, interested parties can visit covid19.gauteng.gov.za and click on the PPE supplier menu to access the electronic form. It is important that all fields are completed.

Should any difficulties be encountered, an enquiry can be send to covid19_ppe@gauteng.gov.za.

The Social Development Acting Director-General, Mzolisi Toni, says the department has not contracted or partnered with any organisation to conduct door-to-door sanitisation for COVID-19.

This follows a letter circulating on social media platforms, which authorises Scientology Volunteer Ministries, a non-profit organisation (NPO), to render sanitising services to the National Department of Social Development and Social Development’s provincial facilities during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Toni said the letter, dated 2 April 2020, which is on the Department of Social Development’s official letterhead and bears his signature, is legitimate.

However, Toni said the only agreement that existed between the department and Scientology Volunteer Ministries was a once-off agreement that involved the fumigation of its premises and facilities.

To date, Toni said, the NPO has rendered free fumigation services at the department’s head office in Pretoria, the Gauteng Social Development head office in Johannesburg and a number of department facilities in the Gauteng region.

“Unfortunately, due to the fact that there are currently people going door-to-door claiming to represent the Scientology Volunteer Ministries and carrying out “COVID-19 sanitisation” on behalf of the department, the department and the Scientology Volunteer Ministries have agreed to terminate the fumigation agreement.

“The department acknowledges the good work of the church but cannot be drawn into misrepresentation when the prime focus of the department is on rolling out interventions to mitigate against COVID-19,” Toni said.

Toni warned members of the public that the department has not contracted or partnered with any organisation to conduct door-t- door sanitisation for COVID-19.

He advised members of the public to remain vigilant of opportunists and criminals, who want to take advantage of them during the lockdown period.

Toni said that under no circumstances would he direct an Accounting Officer of another public entity or organisation, or a household to use an NPO for unsolicited services, “more so when the services in question do not relate to the core mandate of the department”.

“The Department of Social Development is committed to playing a role in offering services and relief to vulnerable groups during the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Toni said.

The Select Committee on Appropriations has cancelled public hearings for oral submissions on 2020 Division of Revenue Bill scheduled to take place in May.

In March 2020, the Select Committee on Appropriations invited stakeholders and interested parties to make written submissions on the bill that was tabled together with the 2020/2021 Budget by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in Parliament on 26 February 2020.

Public hearings for oral submission were scheduled to take place in Parliament on 6 May 2020, said the committee in  a statement on Wednesday.

However, due to the COVID-19 national lockdown and its impact on the committee’s programme, the committee has resolved to cancel the scheduled public hearings.

This as South Africa’s initial 21-day lockdown, aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, has been extended by a further two-weeks ending April 2020.

The committee has called on stakeholders and interested parties who wish to make oral submissions, and those who still wish to comment on the bill to make written submissions by 4pm on Wednesday, 29 April 2020.

The committee said all written submissions received will be considered during a committee meeting schedules for 13 May 2020 and will indicate if it decides otherwise after receiving the written submissions.

Submissions must be directed to the Committee Secretariat, Lubabalo Nodada on 083 412 1526/ Lnodada@parliament.gov.za, or Estelle Grunewald on 071 363 2257/ egrunewald@parliament.gov.za.

Copies of the bill are available at www.treasury.gov.za or www.parliament.gov.za .

The Surgeon General of the South African National Defence Force says the SANDF has recorded its first four positive cases of the COVID-19.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Surgeon General said three of the cases were in the Western Cape, while the fourth was recorded in Gauteng.

“None of these members are uniformed members nor members deployed in support of the SAPS. It is imperative to note that the military community is bigger than the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),” read the statement.

The military community is inclusive of dependants of the serving, retired soldiers and others eligible for care by the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). All COVID-19 cases are treated and managed as per COVID-19 prescribed protocol.

Frontline workers, among them emergency medical teams, nurses, doctors, porters and soldiers patrolling the townships, have been issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), the Surgeon General said.

“Other preventative measures include thermal screening, hand sanitising and wearing of surgical masks by Department of Defence personnel. In addition, the SA Military Health Service continues with COVID-19 awareness campaign by educating DOD members on correct use of the surgical masks, maintaining good basic hygiene principles and social distancing,” said the SANDF in the statement.

The SANDF said it has also identified quarantine and isolation facilities for the military community in preparation for the envisaged overflow in military hospitals and sickbays.

These facilities are Department of Defence establishments with accommodation capacity in all provinces.

Police have arrested a 22-year-old suspect for selling fraudulent permits to informal business owners.

It is alleged that the suspect from Olivenhoutbosch, Centurion in Pretoria, was selling permits to business owners who are not part of essential services.

The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation office was alerted. The team made contact with the suspect under the pretext of wanting to buy the permits.

“The suspect met with a team member and was immediately placed under arrest after he produced a permit for a R300 payment,” Police said in a statement.

The team proceeded to his house where they seized a laptop and other documents. He is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Mzolisi Toni, has noted with concern the circulation of a letter on social media platforms which authorises Scientology Volunteer Ministries, an NPO, to render sanitising services to DSD National and DSD Provincial facilities during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The letter, dated 02 April 2020, which is on the Department of Social Development’s official letterhead under the signature of the Acting Director-General is legitimate.

“The Acting Director-General, however, wishes to put it on record that the only agreement that existed between the Department of Social Development and Scientology Volunteer Ministries was a once-off agreement that involved the fumigation of its premises and facilities,” the Department of Social Development said in a statement.

To date, the NPO has rendered free fumigation services at the department’s head office in Pretoria, the Gauteng Social Development head office in Johannesburg and a number of DSD facilities in the Gauteng region.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that there are currently persons calling door to door claiming to represent the Scientology Volunteer Ministries and carrying out “COVID-19 sanitisation” on behalf of the department, the Department and the Scientology Volunteer Ministries have agreed to terminate the fumigation agreement.

“The department acknowledges the good work of the church but cannot be drawn into misrepresentation when the prime focus of the department is on rolling out interventions to mitigate against COVID-19.

“The Acting Director-General wishes to warn members of the public that the department has not contracted or partnered with any organisation to conduct door to door sanitisation for COVID-19,” the department said.

Toni advises members of the public to remain vigilant of opportunists and criminals who want to take advantage of them during the lockdown period.

“Under no circumstances would the Acting Director-General direct an Accounting Officer of another public entity/organisation or a household to use an NPO for unsolicited services, more so when the services in question do not relate to the core mandate of the department.

“The Department of Social Development is committed to playing a role in offering services and relief to vulnerable groups during the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the department said.

A Free State government-led blitz has netted 17 suspects for hiking prices on essential services and goods during the COVID-19 lockdown, among other contraventions.

With the five week-long Disaster Management Regulations expected to have a dire impact on consumers and small businesses, the provincial MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Economic Affairs, Makalo Mohale, on Monday embarked on an operation aimed at monitoring compliance.

The MEC, accompanied by Department officials and law enforcement agencies, visited Bulfontein, Ventersburg, Reddesburg, Smithfield, Memel, Bothavillle and Bloemfontein for noncompliance to the Covid-19 Disaster Management Regulations.

During the blitz several businesses were found to be operating without valid municipal permits, overpricing food, not complying with health and safety laws and not observing laws governing asylum seekers.

Among the 17 shop owners arrested were five illegal immigrants. The operations saw nine shops being shot down.

“It was discovered that there is lot of foreign nationals who are not properly documented who are running spaza shops in many towns and townships. Most businesses are not registered in terms of the Business Act 71 of 1991,” said the department in a statement.

The municipalities have been alerted to the violations. However, the department has vowed to work with local authorities to ensure compliance.

The department acknowledged that the lockdown has had a devastating impact on businesses across the country.

The clothing and textile sector in the Free State, which provides employment in Botshabelo and QwaQwa, has felt the effects of the pandemic. There were signs that some of factories may find it difficult to re-start operations post the lockdown.

Other sectors severely affected by the government-imposed restrictions included food, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, logistics and retail.

“The informal sector (street vendors, motor mechanics, etc) has also been severely affected as most of operators in this sector rely solely on their business to put bread on the table,” read the statement.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has warned that government will not tolerate the deliberate sabotage of government’s water supply interventions for the COVID-19 outbreak.

This comes after the Minister was alerted that government’s initiative to curb the spread of COVID-19 through supplying water to distressed communities was being obstructed in certain parts of the country.

In a statement, the Ministry said it had received information that certain people who benefitted from water tankering were interfering with the government’s programme to roll out water tanks in affected villages.

“The Minister has been informed that some business people are sabotaging the delivery of water at the expense of ordinary people who are in desperate need of water,” read the statement.

The Ministry said it was regrettable that in Bodibe, Lichtenburg, some business people reportedly emptied new water tankers that were recently supplied by government. The act, said the Ministry, was allegedly aimed at ensuring that the business is given to them.

“Vandalism is an act of sabotage. I am happy that in the North West this matter has been reported to the police. The law must take its course against those who have decided to sabotage our installations for profiteering,” Sisulu said in the statement.

The department has done exceedingly well since to deliver water to communities since the process was centralised.

“It has become abundantly clear that some people who felt that they should have profited are now sabotaging the process. We call on residents to protect the tanks that have been installed in their communities,” she said.