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Ahead of the national lockdown being implemented at midnight this evening, the Portfolio Committee on Police has called on everyone within the South African borders to work with the police and all security forces, in an effort to defeat the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“A collaborative effort between communities and the South African Police Service (SAPS) will go a long way in defeating this disease. The only way to conquer this virus is through adherence to all regulations, as set out by government, and adherence to protocols set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” Committee Chairperson, Tina Joemat-Pettersson said on Thursday.

As the country navigates through this challenging time, Joemat-Pettersson said, South Africans must keep in mind that the role of the police and security forces is to ensure effectiveness of the regulations.

“The citizenry must at all times observe guidance from the police and security forces. The police must enforce those regulations to the letter and must implement punitive measures for those that refuse to adhere,” Joemat-Pettersson said.

The committee also expressed its appreciation for the guidance and leadership given by President Cyril Ramaphosa, including the Cabinet and Ministers within the Security Cluster, in particular, for the steady handling of the matter and assurances that “all will be done to ensure the safety of all South Africans”.

The committee further wished all SAPS and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members and medical personnel well, as they undertake their critical role at the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, says government’s classification of media work as an essential service during the COVID-19 national state of disaster and lockdown is a measure to ensure South Africans and the international community have access to vital information during this time.

“In South Africa, the space, airtime and social media engagement devoted by quality journalism to the outbreak and the national response, has contributed in reducing misinformation, negative impact of fake news and unfounded panic emerging from some social media users and other sources,” Mthembu said.

He expressed government’s appreciation for the role played by media in the country and internationally in bringing information to South Africans from all walks of life and geographic locations.

“In a moment of crisis such as we are experiencing, journalism that informs, enlightens, empowers and brings hope to citizens and stakeholders, is an important national asset and necessity.

“In the weeks ahead during the national lockdown, the engagement between government – through the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) – and public, community and commercial media will help us ensure that people understand and implement the stringent measures that are in effect in the country,” Mthembu said.

In line with the designation of media as an essential service, Mthembu said government is requesting media  and broadcast organisations, especially those who are actively covering the current disaster, to ensure that journalists and broadcast technical crews and distributors are in possession at all times of press cards, personal identity documents or corporate identity cards at all times.

“Letters from employers vouching for staff members or freelancers will also make it easier for law-enforcement officers to process media workers’ access to story locations. Given that media workers are citizens first and foremost, government urges employers to ensure that media workers have access to protective supplies and equipment that will keep them safe and will safeguard the wellbeing of persons with whom media workers may come into contact,” Mthembu said.

He added that with the assistance of State Information Technology Agency (SITA) government has increased its infrastructure capacity to ensure that the website www.gov.za is available at all times.

“We also finalising arrangements to ensure we provide uninterrupted alternative media opportunities via live streaming, to limit the numbers of people who are together in a single venue at any given point in time.

“Government is doing its best to balance the provision of information with the preservation of the good health and life of all stakeholders during this period,” Mthembu said.

The Minister has also urged all South Africans to play their part to contain the spread of the virus, and to protect the health and life of all.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation says R12 million has been made available and a further R30 million will be redirected towards COVID-19 interventions.

This includes re-purposing and testing a number of existing drugs for efficacy of the potential treatment for COVID-19.

“The Department of Science and Innovation task team is engaging with the Department of Health, the Medical Research Council, and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to mobilise funding, reprioritising research strategies and creating an enabling ethical and regulatory framework to facilitate research on the COVID-19 virus,” said the department in a statement.

This as the country will this evening enter a 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.

COVID-19 teams

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, has established specific COVID-19 teams for the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Higher Education and Training respectively.

These distinct teams are comprised of stakeholders in the two sectors who are critical to the advancement of the sectors’ roles.

The teams will assist the Minister for effective participation in the work of the President led National Command Council, as well the sectors contribution in fighting COVID-19.

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) team is led by the Deputy Minister Bhuti Manamela and is comprised of Universities South Africa (USAF), South African College Principals Organisation (SACPO), the South African Union of Students (SAUS), Labour Unions, Higher Health and the Department of Health to coordinate the PSET sector response to the virus.

The Post-School Education and Training (PSET) Task Team will also make appropriate information available to the institutions in the sector including developing protocol guidelines for institutions.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has welcomed the agreement reached between Telkom and the Competition Commission which, among other provisions, narrows the digital divide in the country by offering zero rated access to essential online government services.

Telkom’s offer incudes free public access to the GCIS-managed www.gov.za – the gateway to government information and services

Telkom is also offering free access to educational institutions, including primary websites of more than six universities and Further Education and Training institutions as well as knowledge- enhancing sites such as Wikipedia, Everything Science, Everything Maths and the Department of Basic Education Cloud.

Telkom and the Competition Commission announced an agreement on Wednesday which outlines Telkom’s contribution to improved competition in the delivery of fixed broadband access by operators in this sector

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, who leads the GCIS said Telkom’s initiative will empower citizens with information that they can use to build a better life for themselves and their communities.

“In line with our nation’s single greatest challenge – that of youth unemployment – www.gov.za is used predominantly by young people looking for jobs and for information about opportunities and services that can enhance their employability or qualifications,” Mthembu said.

He said the zero rating of the www.gov.za website will come as a great relief to the many South Africans who require information about the constantly evolving and growing opportunities government puts in place for citizens self-empowerment.

“Over the last 12 months alone, more that 12 million users visited the website as well as the government news sites, www.sanews.gov.za and www.vukuzenzele.gov.za to access information on a range of services and programmes vital to the development of our country.

“As a leading brand in the South African economy, Telkom’s contribution to access to information is also an important contribution to the growing partnership between government and the private sector to grow South Africa together,” the Minister said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested negative for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The President submitted for testing as a precautionary measure upon the advice of his physicians on Tuesday and received his results last night,” the Presidency said in a statement on Thursday.

As Head of State and Chair of the National Command Council (NCC) the President has a rigorous public engagements schedule; and has, during the course of the last few weeks, held numerous meetings with a wide cross section of people from all walks of life.

“The Presidency has deemed it necessary to make the test results public to reassure the nation that the President is in good health and continues with his duties,” the statement said.

Testing for the virus is recommended if you experience symptoms, if you live in or recently travelled to an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19.

This is in line with the international guidelines as well as those of the national Department of Health.

All businesses that will be allowed to provide essential services during the 21-day COVID-19 lockdown will be required to seek approval from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC).

This is in terms of the National State of Disaster gazetted regulations which were published on Wednesday by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

In a statement, DTIC Minister Ebrahim Patel said such businesses are required to apply to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) Bizportal website at www.bizportal.gov.za.

Here they will obtain a certificate from the Commission that allows them to continue trading. The Bizportal website will contain a menu icon listed as “Essential Service Businesses” through which an application can be made to the CIPC.

“The application will be a simple declaration requiring minimal registration details, type of business/trade involved in, what trading name if any is used and whether it meets the requirements contained in the essential services list, the contact details of the person applying as well as the number of employees that will be working during the lockdown period,” reads the statement.

The CIPC registry will then pre-populate the remaining company information and email a certificate stating that the business is allowed to remain trading.

The certificate can then be used as evidence to authorities requiring same that indeed the business has been given government permission to trade and that its employees are able to have unrestricted movement only in the course of that trade.

The department emphasised that false applications to the CIPC will be taken as a fraudulent application and will render the applicant liable to criminal prosecution and sanction.

This service will be available from 26 March 2020 at the start of business trading hours.

The World Health Organisation has called on all countries who have introduced “lockdown” measures to use this time to attack the Coronavirus.

To slow the spread of COVID-19, many countries have introduced unprecedented measures at significant social and economic cost – closing schools and businesses, cancelling sporting events and asking people to stay home and stay safe.

“Asking people to stay at home and shutting down population movement is buying time and reducing the pressure on health systems.

“But on their own, these measures will not extinguish epidemics. We call on all countries to use this time to attack the Coronavirus. You’ve created a 2nd window of opportunity,” said the WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation confirmed 416 686 cases around the world, affecting 196 countries with 18 589 deaths recorded.

The call by WHO comes as South Africa prepares to enter a nationwide lockdown for 21 days in bid to curb the rapid spread of the virus.

For countries going into lockdown, WHO recommended six key actions that can assist in defeating the scourge of COVID-19.

First, expansion, training and deployment of healthcare workers; second, the tracing of every suspected case at community level; third, ramping up the production, capacity and availability of testing.

“Fourth, identify, adapt and equip facilities you will use to treat and isolate patients. Fifth, develop a clear plan and process to quarantine contacts.

“And sixth, refocus the whole of government on suppressing and controlling COVID-19,” said Ghebreysus.

These measures, WHO said, are the best way to suppress and stop transmission, so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus does not resurge.

“The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence.

“Aggressive measures to find, isolate, test, treat and trace are not only the best and fastest way out of extreme social and economic restrictions – they’re also the best way to prevent them,” said Ghebreyesus.

More than 150 countries and territories still have fewer than 100 cases.

By taking the same aggressive actions now, Ghebreyesus said countries have the chance to prevent community transmission and avoid some of the more severe social and economic costs seen in other countries.

“This is especially relevant for many vulnerable countries whose health systems may collapse under the weight of the numbers of patients we’ve seen in some countries with community transmission,” he said.

In his capacity as the African Union Chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa, will on Thursday host a teleconference with the members of the AU Bureau to coordinate the continent’s approach to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The consultation is aimed at developing a common response of the African Union on containing the spread of the Coronavirus and mitigating its impact on the people and economies of Africa,” said the Presidency on Thursday.

President Ramaphosa, on behalf of South Africa, is the Chair of the Bureau which is composed of the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi including the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The meeting will also look at collaboration with the UN Secretary in his efforts to address the pandemic, globally.

The AU Bureau meeting comes as the World Health Organisation confirmed 416 686 cases around the world, affecting 196 countries with 18 589 deaths recorded.

“AU Organs, partners and philanthropists are key players to the AU and their role will form part of the discussions, with the objective of optimising on their resources as part of a wider campaign to mobilize resources, especially for poor countries with infrastructural challenges,” said the Presidency.

Later in the day, President Ramaphosa will participate in a G20 leaders virtual meeting from Pretoria.

There will be no jogging, dog-walking or sale of alcohol, during the government-imposed 21-day lockdown, says Police Minister Bheki Cele.

The stringent regulations are among a range of prohibited services and areas to be accessed during this period.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Cele clarified that among a raft of prohibited movement, will be jogging and walking of dogs.

The regulations of the 24/7 curfew, which has specified exemptions, were released by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Wednesday.

Cele said: “There’s no need to move around. The cluster met, we had discussions and agreed that there shall be no walking of dogs. It doesn’t enhance the call made by the President. If you really want to walk your dog, do it around your house – it ends there. The Disaster [Management] Act says the movement of alcohol shall be limited, there shall be no movement of alcohol (during lockdown), that’s illegal. What you have at home, you consume it there at home, not next door.”

Areas closed to the public include religious, cultural, sporting, entertainment, educational, organisational and similar premises will be closed for the duration. Parks, beaches and swimming pools, open food and flea markets and bazaars will also be closed, as will nightclubs and casinos.

Lodges and guest houses will also be closed, except those who already had tourists when the shutdown was announced.

“Private and public game reserves, except those who are already housing tourists, are required to remain housed,” the Minister said.

Cele also warned that on-consumption premises where alcohol is sold – shebeens, shisanyamas and taverns – are to remain closed.

“This time we are not buying liquor between 9am and 6pm; you shall buy no liquor. I’m sure that makes life easier for all of us.”

He warned that off-consumption outlets that will continue to sell liquor during that lockdown, will be dealt with.

“They shall not sell liquor. I know that some of them have the tendency of moving around bottles during such periods. Any person who is seen leaving a store with liquor, we’ll have problems,” he said.

Theatres and cinemas, shopping malls and centres (excluding grocery stores and pharmacies) will also not operate during the lockdown.

Should these laws be broken, perpetrators face six months in jail and fines, or both.

“In KZN (KwaZulu-Natal) two people have been charged with attempted murder after they deliberately moved around after being told not to. It’s not a fairytale that the law will act and act very harshly on you,” he said.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the lockdown is not meant to punish citizens to contain and minimize the spread.

“The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa mandates the SANDF to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity and its people to preserve life health and properties in emergency and humanitarian operations,” she said.

The Military will during the lockdown assist in roadblocks and foot patrols to enforce curfew. They will also be involved in border control activities as some have been closed as well as support the health authorities.

She clarified that the SANDF had not yet been deployed, contrary to misleading posts on social media. The SANDF will be deployed by President Cyril Ramaphosa at 4pm on Thursday.

Dlamini-Zuma said: “The regulations will ensure that we implement this lockdown and enforce it, this lockdown is really about protecting lives, trying to stop the pandemic from spreading very fast,” she said.

The Minister said it was important for citizens to strictly obey the lockdown.

“People must stay at home and if you have to leave, you go to work for essential services,” she said.

“Stay at home unless you are essential to our survival.”

Home Affairs will only offer limited services during the 21-day nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Home Affairs will have a skeleton staff for the purpose of issuing temporary IDs for those who have lost them and may need to make transactions that are essential for instance with the bank,” Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said.

Addressing Wednesday’s media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster in Tshwane, the Minister said there will be no application for new IDs during this time.

“We will issue replacement of birth certificate to those who lost them; for instance, if a child needs child support from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and they have lost birth certificate and SASSA needs it.

“We are issuing these because it is safe to do so. They are repeats. We can easily check them against the Home Affairs National Identification system and the National Population Register,” Motsoaledi said.

Death certificates will be issued, as some people might need to bury their dead. Government Printing Works will remain open on a skeleton staff for the purpose of printing these documents.

Passports, marriage certificates and new birth certificates will not be issued.

The Minister said there will be no movement of people at the borders.

“When the President declared the national state of disaster… we closed 35 border posts and were left with 18.  We have decided that the 18 remaining border posts will remain open to allow the movement of goods and essentials… but will be totally closed to the movement of people,” the Minister said.

People from neighbouring countries, who get healthcare services from South Africa, will have to make special arrangements with Home Affairs to access these services.