News24.com | LIVE | Arrest made at #BackInTheWater protest in Muizenberg

LIVE | Arrests made at #BackInTheWater protest in Muizenberg

2020-05-05 05:30

News24 team

Stay up to date with the latest news, views and analysis as the number of coronavirus cases in SA increases.

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 30: The Congolese e
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Last Updated at 09:00
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07:59
Another KZN hospital closes its doors after two babies, 14 others test positive for Covid-19

Following confirmation that nine mothers, two babies, four doctors and one nurse had tested positive for Covid-19, KwaZulu-Natal health officials have decided to close the doors of the General Justice Gizenga Mpanzi Memorial Hospital (formerly Stanger Hospital).
07:58
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07:08
WATCH | Repatriated South Africans stranded at OR Tambo airport without food and water
07:07
'It's been very hard; trying to eat and to survive' - a migrant's cry for help

Millions of people across the country, including the migrant and refugee communities, have been left in distress following the implementation of the lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
06:58

Novel coronavirus deaths in the United States rose by 1,015 in the past 24 hours, a tally by Johns Hopkins University showed Monday - the lowest one-day figure in a month.

The Baltimore-based university had recorded more than 1.17 million cases in the country as of 00:30 GMT Tuesday, with 68,689 deaths.

President Donald Trump now says his worst-case coronavirus scenario would be 100,000 deaths, but that milestone may be hit as soon as next month, according to several scientific models.
05:36

SA man stranded in Cameroon reunited with son battling cancer

 

A South African citizen, who was stranded in Cameroon during the lockdown, has finally been reunited with his son battling cancer in Cape Town.
05:35

Coronavirus morning update: Cigarette sale ban goes to court, and BCG trial starts in SA

 

The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association has served government with court papers, to challenge a decision to retain the ban on the sale of cigarettes; and a BCG trial has begun in SA, as hundreds of health workers were given the tuberculosis treatment to see if it can protect against the Covid-19 virus.
05:34

Coronavirus: Stop SA tourism industry regressing to 'pre-1994' disaster, minister warns

 

South Africa's tourism industry must not be allowed to regress during the coronavirus pandemic to the point that it looks like "pre-1994", Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane told Parliament's portfolio committee on tourism
22:34
The coronavirus death toll has risen to 138 after the country recorded another seven deaths. The number of positive cases rose to 7 220, but a total of 2 746 people have recovered.

Here are the top stories of the day

A group of about 200 South Africans who had been repatriated from the US were left stranded on the tarmac at OR Tambo International Airport without food and water for hours. They claim they were told that the place they were supposed to be quarantined at pulled out of the arrangement at the eleventh hour.

A Bahrani mother who is stuck in Cape Town has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to get her to return to her family. Wajieda Tabasum Ahmed has also started a change.org petition to get assistance.

A “glitch” in the social grant payment system meant recipients were left in the lurch, with many of them finding that they hadn’t been paid. Meanwhile, other recipients had been paid double the amount.

Many South Africans were finally able to return to work today, and city centres - which resembled ghost towns during the past month - began showing flickers of life.



Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out about the government’s surprising u-turn on cigarettes last week, by saying it was a collective decision and not just taken by Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

This came as a cigarette association filed court papers against the government, asking it to prove that selling cigarettes does indeed spread the coronavirus.

New vehicle sales dropped a staggering 98.2% in April because of the coronavirus. Only 574 vehicles were sold during that month. 

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa says his department has been inundated with applications from athletes and artists for relief funding. He briefed the nation today about what the department will do with its R150 million crisis fund. 

Mthethwa, meanwhile, said golf may return soon, but to be played behind closed doors. Other major sports appear some way off returning.

International headlines

World leaders have raised $8bn to fund coronavirus vaccine efforts, but there have been warnings that as much as $40bn will be needed for the entire endeavour.

European countries have returned to work as lockdown regulations ease, while a new group is launched to combat Trump’s Covid-19 “misinformation”.

Italy’s death rate was 50% higher for March 2020 than it was for the previous five years because of coronavirus.

And finally, a light read: Who says we can’t date during lockdown? People in the US have looked to reinvent dating to curb loneliness and “sexual frustration”. This includes a slurry of apps for virtual intimacy.

Stay informed with News24

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The numbers | Covid-19 in South Africa statistics
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
21:51
BREAKING | About 200 repatriated South Africans stranded at OR Tambo airport without food and water

About 200 people who took a flight from Washington DC in the US last night and arrived at OR Tambo this afternoon are stuck on the airport's tarmac with nowhere to go.

One person on the flight who wanted to return home to Cape Town, told News24 that the group was set to be housed at a hotel for quarantine.

He said, however, that the group found out only after landing that there was an issue with an agreement between the government and the hotel, meaning the group has nowhere to go. 

"People are trying to remain in good spirits," he said, "but I don't know how long this will last. We've been here since 17:00 and all I really want is some rest and some food."

The man said not a single government official is there at the airport, but said airport staff had allowed the group to use toilet facilities. They are not, however, allowed to enter the airport terminal. 

He said he is also concerned about where the group may be taken, after hearing reports of unsatisfactory housing arrangements made for those in quarantine. 

News24 has reached out to government departments. This is a developing story.

- Kerushun Pillay

Pictured are those stuck on the tarmac.
20:40
7 more Covid-19 deaths

Seven more people have died from Covid-19 in South Africa, as the total number of infections hit 7 220, an increase of 437.

Six deaths were from the Western Cape - the epicentre - while one was from KwaZulu-Natal.

The death toll now stands at 138.

However, 2 746 people have recovered.

More to follow.
19:56
WHO hails 'global solidarity' as world leaders raise $8bn for Covid-19 vaccine

World leaders on called Monday for cooperation in the quest for a coronavirus vaccine, as they pledged $8.1 billion at a fundraising telethon.

However, the conference narrowly missed its target of 7.5 billion euros - although a handful of contributors did not put a sum on their pledges - but UN chief Antonio Guterres warned much more would be needed, putting the final sum required near 38 billion euros (about $41bn).
19:47
Dischem is being 'scapegoated', says lawyer

Dis-Chem, which is currently answering a case of price gouging, has accused the Competition Commission of "scapegoating" the pharmaceutical retailer to show the public that it can prosecute excessive pricing as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

The retail group appeared before the Competition Tribunal on Monday after the Commission charged it with abusing its dominance and charging excessive prices for surgical masks to the detriment of customers and consumers.

Advocate Michelle le Roux, who represented Dis-Chem, said a fine equal to 10% of its revenue would be "shockingly inappropriate". She said it would amount to an "unexplained eagerness for scapegoating Dis-Chem" and to find "a good company to make an example of".
19:01
Europeans return to work, group started to counter Trump's ‘misinformation’ - international news update 

Millions of Europeans emerged with relief from coronavirus confinement on Monday, with hard-hit Italy leading the way out of the world's longest lockdown. 

And a political action committee has launched to counter false and misleading statements about the coronavirus pandemic from US President Donald Trump with a wide-ranging, tech-infused social media campaign.

Africa's biggest city, Lagos, Nigeria, returned to work on Monday at the end of a five-week coronavirus lockdown. The city was its usual buzz once again. 
18:23
'Please let me go home to my baby,' begs stranded mother

South Africa's battle against the deadly Covid-19 is causing misery for a mother who has been separated from her baby.

Little Talia stretches her arms out as she yearns for the warm embrace of her mother, but she is on a video call and more than 7 000km away. 

Wajieda Tabasum Ahmed has been living out of a small suitcase for more than 60 days. She has been left stranded in Cape Town because of the lockdown to slow down the rapid infection rate of the coronavirus.

The family has launched a petition on change.org.

Pictured is Wajieda with her daughter Talia and husband Shady. 
17:56
Feeling lonely? Singles in US reinvent dating to cure 'sexual frustration'

How do you find love when you're stuck at home? The coronavirus pandemic has made that challenging, to say the least. But millions of single Americans are finding ways.

Some have attempted socially distanced outings, others have turned to steamy video chats, while still others have tried international online dating as people adapt the art of seduction to the virus era - and dating apps are finding ways to adjust.
17:24
'We are just trying to survive' - Sassa recipients speak out as payments for many not made 

Long queues from the early hours of the morning have left some Durban social grant recipients frustrated, saying they are afraid of the effects of Covid-19.

"This is always a long line for us. I am coming into town and risking many things in my life. This [coronavirus] is killing people my age, but I need the money to survive," one man said. 
16:58
Italy records 50% more deaths than in previous years, Iran opens mosques - international Covid-19 news

Italy recorded 49.4% more deaths across the country in March 2020 than the average for the same month over the previous five years, official data showed.

Meanwhile, Russia has registered a near record in new daily coronavirus cases on Monday as total infections topped 145 000, cementing its position as the European country reporting the most new cases.

Iran has reopened mosques in parts of the country deemed at low risk from coronavirus, as it said almost 80 000 people hospitalised with the illness had recovered and been released - but mosques will have strict regulations. 

Pictured is a man disinfecting a mosque in Frankfurt, Germany. (Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
15:47
If cigarette sales spread coronavirus, prove it – tobacco association turns to the courts

Government has not shown how the banning of the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products would be instrumental in reducing the spread of Covid-19, the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) has argued in court papers.

The association served government with court papers, filed at the Pretoria High Court, to challenge a decision to retain the ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco product sales during Level 4 of the lockdown. FITA is also seeking the courts to have cigarettes and tobacco declared as essential goods.
15:17
Grant recipients left in the lurch because of a 'glitch' in the payment system

The SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) was hit by accidental double payments in some areas, and no payments in others, due to glitches in the system as it tried to make payment days less crowded by extending the dates.

A spokesperson said some beneficiaries had found that their money was not available. She said that some recipients in the Western Cape had been paid double by mistake.

Pictured is a long row of people queuing to collect their social grant payment in Makhaza, Khayelitsha on Day Four of National Lockdown in Cape Town. (Gallo Images/Roger Sedrus)
14:23
SA's film and TV industry back to work amid Covid-19 – without extras or studio audiences

South Africa's film and TV industry got the green-light to reopen but as cameras start rolling and lights flicker back on it won't be business as usual. 

After the country's film and TV biz was frozen to a standstill for over five weeks during lockdown - except for the ongoing production and broadcast of TV news and current affairs programming- there's a new hope.
13:46
Sports Minister confirms golf being considered for return behind closed doors

Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa says his department is considering allowing golf to return behind closed doors during the current Covid-19 enforced lockdown.

However, indications were that football (and by association as a contact sport, rugby) were still some way off getting the green light to resume any activity under the current State of Disaster.
13:27

PICS | Lockdown Level 4: Signs of life return to Cape Town CBD, as some go back to work

Movement started to return to the Cape Town CBD on Monday, the first working day since Level 4 lockdown restrictions were implemented.

The city centre, however, was anything but bustling, and traffic was also not congested. Most people lined up outside ATMs and banks as social grants were disbursed.
13:02

Cases soar past 145 000 in Russia, UK PM readies plan to ease lockdown and WHO says Madagascar's herbal tonic not a cure for virus

- Russia registered a near record in new daily coronavirus cases on Monday as total infections surpassed 145 000, cementing its position as the top reporter of new cases in Europe.

- The World Health Organisation is warning that Madagascar's herbal tonic its president claims can cure patients of Covid-19 has no scientific basis.

- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out his plan to ease a nationwide coronavirus lockdown next Sunday, media reports said, as new guidance emerged on how to maintain social distancing in workplaces.
12:44
Covid-19 | Tobacco sale U-turn was collective decision - Ramaphosa defends Dlamini-Zuma

The office of President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out in defence of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma following days of attacks levelled against her over a U-turn on the ban on cigarettes sales.
12:37

'I'm so pleased to be back at work,' says retail employee, as some shops open again in Cape Town

"I am so pleased to be back at work!" said one Sea Point retail employee in Cape Town, as the coronavirus lockdown eased to permit certain trading on Monday.

"Just sitting at home doing nothing..." Peter Philander, a sales assistant at a bed company, trails off. "It feels hopeful to be doing something."
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Minister Nathi Mthethwa has briefed the media about the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture's response to Covid-19.

The deadline for application for the relief fund was the 6th of April 2020. The process of payment has begun and a huge number of people did not succeed.

The adjudicating panel for Sport was the first to be appointed. A total of 473 applications were received from 25 sporting federations. Of these applications 291 were approved for payments.

291 athletes received payments. An amount of R20 000 paid to each athlete.

Minister Mthethwa says a total of 1050 applications from Arts and Culture have been assessed by the independent panel, 232 have been recommended for payments. 603 were not recommended & 203 have been recommended for reassessments.

The cap for the grant is R20 000.

Certain guidelines now apply for on set work: 
- Sanitising of the workplace
- Dedicated cleaning staff
- A daily register of persons granted access to the set
- No more than 50 people on set
- Focus on local content and use Covid-19 as a story line to educate viewers
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09:56

Mbalula finds that Gautrain “is ready to provide services under level 4” following his train ride.

“It’s quite impressive work that we have seen through social distancing and screening booths,” he says
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09:49
News24's Alex Mitchley is at the Carousel Toll Plaza which links Gauteng and Limpopo. There is increased traffic into Gauteng as people use the window period to travel back into the province during the lockdown.
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