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The Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, on Tuesday met with stakeholders from the sports and arts sectors to communicate the department’s stance on COVID-19.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the Coronavirus outbreak a national disaster on Sunday and outlined a comprehensive plan on how the country will respond in the short to medium term. He put in place a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people.

The Minister said the sports, arts and culture sectors will be the hardest hit as numerous events and tournaments have and will still be postponed.

“Economically, we are going to be battered,” Mthethwa said.

“One of the things affecting our sector directly is the number of people coming together at sports, arts and cultural events. This year is more important because it is the 60th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre.

“However, we have cancelled all events in the interest of humanity,” the Minister said.

He encouraged the stakeholders to ensure they adhere to the directive not to gather in groups of more than 100 people. The department will also be sending messages emphasising that there must be measures put in place to ensure a hygienic environment and, where possible, personal protective gear be provided.

“The impact of Covid-19 will be felt throughout the entire sector. Technical visits, cultural agreements, national events, funded projects and national days’ activities, dialogues, and exhibitions have been cancelled until further notice. A list will be published on our website,” the Minister said.

The Minister said the department will engage the private sector to partner up in terms of relief, particularly the financial services sector as it affects the creative industry.

All messages, including debunking the misconceptions about the pandemic, should be communicated in indigenous languages. The public broadcaster and all electronic media should be used.

The arts sector has requested all media platforms to re-adjust the scale of local music in favour of local artists, as a means of protecting artists’ livelihoods.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged the public to rather make use of its eFiling platform rather than to visit branches as South Africa continues its efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The South African Revenue Service is balancing its responsibility to protect both our employees and our taxpayers as well as remain focussed and committed to serving the public and continue with our revenue collection,” it said on Tuesday.

In a letter addressed to taxpayers, the revenue service said that while it will continue with its operations, it has implemented several stringent measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

This, it said, was in alignment with the address made to the nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday. In his address, President Ramaphosa declared COVID-19 as a national disaster.

“The President calls on all of us as South Africans for an extraordinary response and as SARS we are taking this opportunity at all times to provide clarity and certainty to our taxpayers in how we move forward in terms of our service offerings.

“As SARS, we have to balance the important work we do to collect revenue, facilitate service to taxpayers, travelers and traders, whilst at the same time taking reasonable measures to protect ourselves as SARS officials and yourselves as citizens of the Republic,” said SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter in the letter.

The revenue service will adhere to strict general hygiene as well as social distancing to reduce the spread of the COVID-19.

SARS has implemented the following changes:

Social distancing

• Taxpayers are discouraged to come into the branches and are advised to make use of online digital channels for all engagements.
• The majority of the business can be done on eFiling platform (www.sarsefiling.co.za ).
• SARS mobiApp in addition to Personal Income Tax functionality provides additional information which encourages users to download through the app store (Google Play or Apple Store).
• SARS website (www.sars.gov.za) will be regularly updated with news and announcements.
• Should taxpayers still require contact with SARS, they can phone the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277, instead of visiting a branch.
• If South Africans still required to visit a SARS Tax branch, strict adherence to social distancing and general hygiene practices will be applied.
• Within the guidelines as set out by the President, a maximum of 100 taxpayers will be allowed in the branches at any one point in time and will be managed firmly.
• SARS request that taxpayers watch branch visitor volumes and queue times on their website and the SARS mobiApp. This should help taxpayers to plan around needing to visit an alternate branch if really necessary.
• All SARS branches as well as ports of entry have been equipped with hand sanitizers and they expect taxpayers to make use of these ahead of engaging their staff.
• Additional SARS procedures have been put in place and will be utilized to ensure that work surfaces are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
• Staff have also been provided with additional protective gear such as gloves, and where required, additional protective equipment such as masks and suits.
• SARS request everyone to observe strict 1 meter distances and avoid person to person contact as far as possible.

Service related matters

• A large part of the daily visitors to SARS Tax offices are individuals requesting a tax reference number for the purpose of employment.
• Until further notice, SARS will no longer issue these tax reference numbers for this category of request and individuals are requested not to visit their branches for this purpose.
• SARS will shortly provide a solution whereby their digital channels (eFiling, mobiApp) will cater for this requirement. SARS aim to have this solution operational in the next few weeks.
• In the meantime, employers need to request to register employees online with SARS. SARS have asked employers to assist them in this regard.
• There is no requirement to register with SARS ahead of looking for a job, and a prospective employer may register employees as well.
• If supporting documentation is required by SARS, people are encouraged to follow these guidelines: upload via eFiling, make use of the SARS mobiApp, drop off documents at a branch drop-box and if all else fails, SARS will provide a drop box in their branch offices.
• If taxpayers have an account related matter, please use the following channels: As a first port of call, please contact the contact centre.
• If taxpayers are unable to make a call to the contact centre, please use the following dedicated channels: account balances: Accounts@sars.gov.za; third party appointment queries: TPA@sars.gov.za;  Journals: Journals@sars.gov.za; Statement of accounts: SOA@sars.gov.za;  AA88’s – AA88@sars.gov.za

Ports of entry

If people need to visit, or pass through a port of entry, SARS customs officials will also follow similar hygiene practices and in addition:

• Physical contact with travellers will be avoided as far as possible.
• Non-intrusive detecting devices such as baggage scanners will be deployed.
• Where required, SARS staff will be issued with additional protective clothing and gear.

“During these times, please be assured that we aim to provide continuity of the necessary engagement with taxpayers and traders whilst balancing the risk of the Coronavirus from spreading through the various measures to protect our staff as well as yourselves. All our key stakeholders are being engaged and we are in collaboration to align and focus,” said the Commissioner.

Tax obligation
With these measures in place, SARS reminded taxpayers of their obligation.

“With all of these measures in place, we need to however take cognisance of the fact that your duties as taxpayer remain and all outstanding tax returns are still due before the 31st of March 2020.

“As SARS we remain determined to safeguard the public’s confidence in our tax administration system during these unprecedented times. Collectively, we will ensure that the tax administration system of our Republic remains operational.”

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has launched an extensive manhunt for a suspect, following the brutal killing of 52-year-old Warrant Officer Thinandavha Stanley Mudau, on Sunday.

A 17-year-old female rape victim had presented to the Thohoyandou Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) unit where Mudau was working.

The victim, who is a foreign national, reportedly told Mudau that she had been raped by her relative, Simon Matakura, who is also a foreign national.

It is reported that Mudau decided to take the victim to the police station, so that she can open a case. However, Mudau decided to go to the suspect’s place of residence first.

On arrival at the suspect’s place, it is reported that Mudau was abruptly attacked by the suspect with a machete, killing him instantly. The rape victim was also attacked and she is currently being treated in hospital.

The Hawks in Limpopo are appealing to anyone who may know the whereabouts of Matakura to come forward.

Companies in distress as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak are set to receive government-backed reprieve, the Department of Employment and Labour has announced.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said measures are being put in place to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact.

Addressing the Executive Committee meeting at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi said: “To assist the distressed companies, a period of reprieve will be considered in order for companies not to contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).”

He said the Funds Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme will be used to ensure that workers are not laid off.

“In instances where companies decide to close for a short period as a precautionary measure, the short term UIF benefit will kick in. If a company contemplates a short term shut down, they are required to inform the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Our team will visit these companies to provide assistance with the processing of the claims,” said Nxesi.

He said in instances where an employee has to be self-quarantined for 14 days, such a leave will be recognized as a special leave which will be fully paid on condition that the reason for the quarantine meets the requirements and that employees can apply for UIF benefits.

In an event that an employee is required to be quarantined for longer than 14 days as a result of having travelled or been in contact with an infected person, such a leave will be recognized as a special leave and that employee will be eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, added Nxesi.

The Minister urged employers to conduct a health and safety risk assessment in consultation with the workers, whilst ensuring that measures are put in place to ensure a healthy workplace for the workers as required by law.

He said employers are required to provide necessary protective equipment and put in place systems to deal with the outbreak, as well as including all mitigating measures that are to be put in place until the outbreak has been dealt with.

The Gauteng Health Department has pleaded with the public to cooperate with healthcare workers to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) after a family refused to be quarantined.

“We can confirm that there was a family that refused to be quarantined. The wife and daughter tested positive to the virus while the husband refused to be tested and left the hospital without swabs being taken,” said the department in a statement on Tuesday.

In a bid to ensure compliance, the fepartment approached the court on Monday night on an urgent basis in order to ensure that the department does not interfere with the constitutional rights of the patients without a court order.

The court order was granted around 1am on Tuesday morning in favour of the department.

“As result the matter was reported to SAPS to trace the family. We are pleased that the family was found around 12h30 this afternoon (Tuesday) and is currently being attended to at a designated health facility.

“We wish to commend the South African Police Service for swiftly attending to the matter.”

The department reiterated the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday that everyone needs to work together to fight this pandemic.

As the power generation system remains constrained and vulnerable, the possibility of load shedding still remains, says Eskom.

“During peak hours we are utilising emergency generation reserves to supplement supply, and [we] may have to implement load shedding at short notice should the power generation system deteriorate,” said the power utility in a statement on Tuesday.

Unplanned breakdowns or outages were at 10 639MW as of Tuesday afternoon while as at planned maintenance outages were at 5 101MW.

The power utility has urged South Africans to cooperate in managing electricity consumption with care to help minimise load shedding.

Customers have been requested to continue to use electricity sparingly.

SA Express has suspended its operations effective as of Wednesday as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“In light of adverse recent developments including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, SA Express announces that it will suspend operations from 18 March 2020 until further notice,” said the airline in a statement on Tuesday night.

In light of the suspension, the airline will accommodate its customers on alternative flights. In addition, all non-critical SA Express staff will be placed on compulsory leave during this time.

“The airline will utilise this period to review its current network and streamline operations for improved efficiency.”

The airline, which falls within the ambit of the Department of Public Enterprises, will provide communication on any additional developments in due course.

SA Express offers connectivity between primary and secondary domestic destinations in South Africa and five other Southern African Development Community countries.

The suspension comes as Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s announcement of a spike of confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The number of confirmed cases in the country has increased by 23.

There are now 85 cases of the Coronavirus which has been declared a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Among the new cases in the country is a 2-year-old boy from the Western Cape who has not travelled internationally. This is the youngest confirmed case.

Globally, there are now 184 976 confirmed cases if COVID-19, and 7 529 deaths. The virus has spread to 159 countries/territories.

South Africa now has 116 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“This means that there has been an increase of 31 new cases from yesterday’s announcement,” said the Health Department on Wednesday morning.

Among the new cases are two males, one from Gauteng with no international travel history, and one from the Western Cape, who had travelled to New Zealand.

On Tuesday, COVID-19 cases stood at 85 in the country, with eight local transmissions confirmed.

As of Wednesday, the department confirmed an additional six local transmission cases from the newly announced cases.

The details of the cases are as follows:

Gauteng: 16

– A 25-year-old male, who travelled to the UK

– A 45-year-old male, who travelled to Austria

– A 52-year-old male, who travelled to Austria and Italy

– A 49-year-old female, who travelled to Austria and Italy

– A 35-year-old male, who travelled to the UK and Netherlands

– A 34-year-old female, who travelled to the UK

– A 30-year-old female, who travelled to Switzerland and Austria

– A 36-year-old female, who travelled to Switzerland and Austria

– A 30-year-old female, who travelled to Italy

– A 35-year-old male, who travelled to Italy

– A 34-year-old male, who travelled to Italy

– A 37-year-old male, who travelled to Finland and France

– A 20-year-old male, with no international travel history

– A 3-year-old male, with no international travel history

– A 21-year-old female, with no international travel history

– A 71-year-old female, with no international travel history

KwaZulu-Natal: 3

– A 59-year-old male, who travelled to Austria and Italy

– A 54-year-old male, who travelled to Italy

– A 55-year old male, who travelled to Italy

Mpumalanga: 2

– A 64-year-old male, who travelled to Italy

– A 56-year-old female, with no international travel history

Western Cape: 10

– A 2-year-old male, who travelled to New Zealand

– A 51-year-old male, who travelled to Egypt an Dubai

– A 35-year-old female, who travelled to Switzerland and Dubai

– A 27-year-old female, who travelled to Switzerland and Dubai

-A 60-year-old male, who travelled to Portugal and the UK

– A 51-year-old male, who travelled to the UK

– A 54-year-old female, who travelled to Portugal and the UK

– A 51-year-old male, who travelled to the UK

– A 26-year-old female, who travelled to the UK

– A 68-year-old male, with no international travel history

As part of its tracking and tracing, the Department of Health said it has collated background information on how these patients were infected.

“We will provide information to the public, so as to give a sense of how these local transmissions occur.

“We will, however, not disclose full details as this information is subject to patient confidentiality, which we are bound by,” said the Health Department.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng says courts around the country will beef up sanitation in a bid to ensure that access to justice is not hindered by COVID-19.

Mogoeng outlined that all court buildings will undergo a decontamination process to fight the scourge of the Coronavirus outbreak.

“Floor and work surfaces of court rooms and the premises as well as the workplace with special focus on maintenance and domestic violence, children’s court must be disinfected with disinfectant material periodically at least twice a day during working hours,” he said.

According to the Chief Justice, government has committed to provide financial assistance for these measures.

In the interim, Mogoeng said courts will make use of petty cash to secure surgical masks and protective gear for court staff.

On Tuesday, the Chief Justice, together with the Heads of Court, convened an urgent meeting to discuss President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of the Coronavirus outbreak as a national disaster.

The declaration by the President, amongst other things, prohibited mass gatherings and limited gatherings to a maximum of a 100 people.

At the meeting of the Heads of Court, several measures were adopted in an effort to mitigate and limit transmission of COVID-19 at the courts.

Among them is the decision to allow those with a material interest in court proceedings to attend the court, subject to the adherence of the 100 people limit.

“Persons with a material interest in a case such as litigants; accused persons; witnesses; those who may be needed to provide support such as those accompanying children; victims of domestic violence and or sexual abuse; elderly; people with disabilities; family members; representatives of special interests or support groups and members of the media will be permitted to enter the court precinct,” said the Chief Justice.

The courts will decontaminate the reception and admission areas, community service centres, court rooms, cells and detention facilities, offices, lifts, vehicles, biometrics and ablution facilities.

Mogoeng also made a clarion call to those with an inclination to pray to do so for the country.

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has confirmed that two vessels in the Port of Cape Town are being held off port limits after a crew member on board one of the vessels began to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

It has been established that the crew member had been on a flight with a fellow crew member and six passengers who went on to board a cruise vessel at the port.

This is the first suspected case of COVID-19 in a South African sea-port.

TNPA said the two crew members had flown into the country from Istanbul, Turkey, on 9 March 2020.

Only one of the two is showing signs of being ill, however, both have been placed in isolation on board the general cargo vessel, which is called MV Corona.

Passenger Liner

Six passengers on-board the Italian flagged MV AidAmira passenger vessel had been on the same flight as the crew members of the MV Corona. However, according to the master and the doctor on board the passenger liner, the six have shown no symptoms of the virus but are in isolation and being monitored continuously.

The MV AidAmira ship has been operating between Port of Cape Town and Walvis Bay, in Namibia, this cruise season.

The vessel sailed on Friday, 13 March 2020, from the Port of Walvis Bay with 1240 passengers and a total crew of 486 on board.

The ship was on her voyage back to the Port of Cape Town, when TNPA was informed by Port Health Cape Town that six passengers had been on the same flight as the two MV Corona crew members.

The Master of the MV AidAmira immediately quarantined the six passengers to prevent the spread of the infection to other passengers and crew onboard.

The ship arrived outside the Port of Cape Town on 15 March 2020.

“A joint operation centre was set up on 16 March 2020 – inclusive of TNPA Harbour Master, SAMSA (MRCC), Port Health and a specialist doctor. After careful consideration of the facts by the JOC, the vessel was permitted to dock on 16 March 2020,” said the authority.

The six passengers have been evacuated and taken to hospital for testing and thereafter will be taken to a quarantined area arranged by Port Health Officials.

The rest of the passengers will remain quarantined on board until the test results for the six are received. Thereafter a decision will be made based on the results, said the authority.

Meanwhile, the MV Corona left the Port of Cape Town on Wednesday, 11 March 2020.

On Friday, 13 March 2020, the Master of this vessel contacted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Port Health unit of the national Department of Health, confirming one crew member was exhibiting symptoms and requesting that the vessel returns to the Port of Cape Town for evacuation.

Permission was granted by both authorities.

Upon arrival on Monday, the vessel waited off port limits.

MRCC, Port Health and the Harbour Master of the Port of Cape Town have coordinated efforts to evacuate both crew members by arranging with the Airforce helicopters for the suspected crew member to be transported to hospital.

“So far only one of the two crew members on board the MV Corona has shown symptoms of being sick and no passengers or crew on board MV AIDAmira are exhibiting any symptoms,” said TNPA.

Transnet National Ports Authority said it is responsible for ensuring that all vessels have been cleared by relevant state organs namely, Port Health, migration, MRCC and customs before entering or leaving the port.

TNPA is also tasked with ensuring compliance of safety of navigation of vessels, safety of life and safety of environment in the Port.