Author: Malebogo Putu

SAGOVNEWS: The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has urged the public against bogus and potentially harmfully personal protective equipment (PPE). The Bureau said it has uncovered that numerous PPEs were being sold as ‘SABS Approved’. “Consumers are being duped into using potentially harmful PPE,” said SABS Lead Administrator Jodi Scholtz in a statement. Urging the public to be vigilant and to buy quality products through legitimate delivery channels, Scholtz said while the public is desperate to purchase the products, it is important that these are legitimate. The products in demand and under scrutiny include masks, thermometers, sanitisers, disinfectants,…

Some Driving License Testing Centres (DLTC) and the Motor Vehicle Registering Authority (MVRA) in Gauteng have reopened their doors while others will do so next week. Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, said priority will be given to applicants who have confirmed bookings while walk-ins remain barred. He said only applicants with valid online booking reference numbers will be allowed onto the premises of these centres. “This is another measure we have put in place to ensure that customers are serviced whilst adhering to social distancing protocols,” said the MEC on Monday. The following DLTCs…

SAGOVNEWS: South Africa recorded its deadliest 24 hours with 82 new COVID-19 deaths reported on Monday. The Western Cape, which has the highest infection rate, reported 55 deaths, followed by the Eastern Cape with 26 and one death in KwaZulu-Natal. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases has reached the 50 000 mark, with 2 594 new cases reported, while the number of deaths surpassed 1 000. “The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 50 879, the total number of deaths is 1 080 and the recoveries to date are 26 099,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize said. The…

SAGOVNEWS: Schools in Gauteng recorded an 85% attendance of learners and educators for the first day of reopening of schools on Monday. On Monday, Gauteng Education (GDE) MEC Panyaza Lesufi provided an update of the first day of schools reopening since the country went into lockdown on 27 March 2020, to curb the spread of COVID-19. On educator attendance, Lesufi said most districts reported no problems with attendance also estimated at over 85% with the absence of some teachers attributed to them having comorbidities. “On comorbidities, we have noticed some absence of educators last week and today, due to having…

There are 78832 recoveries and 4936 deathsNorthern Africa region has many infections followed by Southern Africa The region with least infections is Central MABESKRAAL, South Africa. (Report Courtesy: APO) As of 6 June 2020, 6pm EAT African Union Member States (54) reporting COVID-19 cases (177,953) deaths (4,936), and recoveries (78,834) by region: Central (19,372 cases; 432 deaths; 7,126 recoveries): Burundi (63; 1; 33), Cameroon (7,599; 212; 4,587), Central African Republic (1,451; 4; 29), Chad (836; 68; 657), Congo (639; 20; 182), DRC (3,878; 82; 537), Equatorial Guinea (1,306; 12; 200), Gabon (3,101; 21; 833), Sao Tome & Principe (499; 12; 68)…

SAGOVNEWS: Progress continues to be made in the payment of the R350 Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant aimed at supporting the unemployed during the lockdown. According to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), in KwaZulu-Natal, 6 470 beneficiaries have been successfully paid as of 27 May, out of the 1 366 057 applications received in the province. “Many South Africans are still waiting to hear if their applications have been successful. The easing of the lockdown will help to speed up payments, as government services will be at full capacity from 1 June 2020,” said SASSA’s…

Government should reopen the COVID-19 Agriculture Relief fund applications. This is according to Thandeka Mbabama, the Democratic Alliance Deputy Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The DA’s call comes in light of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development feedback that only 15 371 out of 54 770 applications met the criteria to qualify for the initial funding. It seems utterly implausible that only 28% of small scale and subsistence farmers could qualify for relief aid. The Party has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Thoko Didiza to see reason and reopen the application…

South African Schools will reopen on 1 June 2020 with Grade7 and Grade 12 learners returning to the classroom, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday. “Independent and public ordinary schools will open even in the metropolitan areas. Every school must adhere and observe the health and safety protocols that will be put in place. We will start with grades 7 and 12 and small schools. The other grades will follow in due course,” said the Minister. The reopening of schools follows the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet’s approval of the Basic Education Department’s (DBE) plan to return…