Author: Malebogo Putu
Facebook has announced Instagram Reels just days after Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Tik-Tok. Facebook announced on 05 August 2020 that with Reels, Instagram Creatives can record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects and new creative tools. You can share reels with your followers in Feed and if you have a public account you can make them available to the wider Instagram community through a new space in Explore. Creating Reels Select Reels at the bottom of the Instagram camera. You’ll see a variety of creative editing tools on the left side of your screen to help…
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape has welcomed the sentence imposed on a former South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) official and her accomplice, who defrauded SASSA of R1.2 million. Nombuso Lynette Dlamini, 44, and Siyasanga Gqamane, 31, were sentenced by the Mbizana Regional Court last week Friday for defrauding the State of approximately R1.2 million between 2006 and 2011. The suspects’ fraudulent activities were uncovered in 2011 and upon their arrest, multiple bank cards were found in their possession. Provincial NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said Dlamini, a former clerk at SASSA, and her accomplice Gqamane created,…
Twenty-three people, including officials of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), have appeared in court on charges of alleged theft, fraud and corruption. The group appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday, said the Hawks. The 23 officials and accomplices have been warned to appear in the same court again on 4 September 2020. In April 2016, the officials approached and recruited individuals to submit their identity documents to register them for disability grants. The alleged fraudulent grants were used to channel money to the officials whilst the so-called beneficiaries were compensated with a small portion. “The matter…
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has appointed a team led by Professor Taole Mokoena to conduct an urgent investigation into allegations of health care workers contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty, due to lack or poor quality of personal protective equipment (PPE). “We have even received reports that some [healthcare workers] may be dying after being infected due to the lack of sufficient PPE or due to sufficient PPE not being provided and/or failure or neglect by management to adhere to prescribed workplace safety protocols. “We want to outrightly state that this cannot be tolerated,” said the Minister. The Minister’s…
The Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal has suspended a number of high-ranking officials implicated in the procurement of blankets and personal protective equipment (PPEs). This follows a forensic investigation report conducted into the procurement of the goods. The procured goods also included sanitisers, wet wipes, soups and towels. Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza on Tuesday said a number of allegations that were reported in the media prompted the investigation. The Provincial Executive Council requested Provincial Treasury to conduct a forensic investigation into the alleged irregularities. She said the investigation report had recommended that disciplinary action be taken against the…
As COVID-19 infections in the Country jumped over 500 000, the Health Department has announced that the first team of experts from the World Health Organisation, who will assist South Africa in its fight against Coronavirus, is set to arrive in the country today. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, a total of 43 senior experts from across the globe, including renowned specialists Dr David Heymann (a seasoned infectious disease epidemiologist and public health expert) and Dr Mike Ryan, are among the team that will assist the country to refine its efforts against the pandemic. Dr Mike Ryan will…
The Department of Health on Tuesday said 345 more people have died of COVID-19-related illnesses, among them two children. Of the additional deaths, 116 are from Gauteng, 97 from the Western Cape, 89 from KwaZulu-Natal and 43 from the Eastern Cape, bringing the tally to 8 884. The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department said two children died from COVID-19, a three-month-old baby girl and a four-year-old boy. The province explained that 89 deaths did not occur in the past 24 hours. “However, due to late reporting and a high number of patients dying as persons under investigation (PUIs), there is a delay…
The Competition Commission has slapped Cambridge Food Jozini, in KwaZulu-Natal, with a fine for hiking the price of 25kg maize meal during a lockdown. Following a complaint, the investigation revealed that before the declaration of the national state of disaster, Cambridge Food Jozini was selling the 25kg top white maize meal at far lower prices. However, in April, the retailer increased it from R129.99 to R159.99 without a corresponding increase in costs, which contravenes the Competition Act, read together with Regulation 4 of the Consumer Protection Regulations, the Commission found. “The Competition Commission welcomes the decision of the Competition Tribunal…
341 672 R350 COVID-19 grant applications have been approved as at 25 July 2020 290 082 beneficiaries have as at 25 July 2020 received their R350 COVID-19 grant in the North West. The North West Provincial COVID-19 Command Council has announced. The Command Council announced on Friday 31 July 2020 during the virtual meeting to assess the province’s effort to strengthen coordination and response to COVID-19. The Command Council furthermore announced that 341 672 applications have been approved as at 25 July 2020. The grant forms part of the R500 billion economic and social relief measures announced by President Cyril…