Ramaphosa offers condolences to affected families as SA's Covid-19 deaths pass 1 000 mark

President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to South Africans who have lost loved ones to Covid-19.

Lockdown: Eastern Cape records highest number of schools still closed

A number of Eastern Cape schools failed to open on Monday.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday this was due to a number of issues with some of the schools in the province.

Research shows lockdowns worked: Millions of infections and deaths were prevent in the US and Europe

Suppose the world had never instituted lockdowns in response to the pandemic: There's a strong chance that 530 million more people would have contracted Covid-19.

Mandy Wiener | Just because the hard lockdown is over, doesn’t mean the pandemic is gone

I've seen a great many references to this thing we are calling "the new normal" and I admit I am guilty of misusing this term.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams gets cracking on her first day back at the office

The office of Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has confirmed the minister is back at work on Tuesday after two months on special leave.

UK nears 50 000 virus-related deaths

The number of suspected and confirmed deaths from coronavirus in Britain has risen to almost 50 000, analysis of official data showed on Tuesday.

The Office for National Statistics figures tallied all fatalities in which Covid-19 was suspected or mentioned on death certificates up to 29 May.

The total of 49 989 is higher than the government's latest daily figure of 40 597, which includes only the deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus.

On either measure, the toll is Europe's worst and puts Britain behind only the United States in officially announced deaths, although each country has different reporting methods and lag times.

- AFP

GolfRSA reprimanded by government after 'certain golf estates' open under Level 3

GolfRSA confirmed on Monday that it received an official reprimand from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture after "certain golf estates and facilities opened up" under the Level 3 lockdown.

German philanthropist and co-founder of SAP donates R100m to Solidarity Fund

Steinhoff says it is agreed to cover a 'substantial portion of the costs' for the state to engage audit firm PwC to perform forensic work as part of its criminal investigation into fraud at the retail conglomerate.

Difficult to say when cigarette ban will be lifted - Ramaphosa

It is difficult to say when exactly the cigarette ban will be lifted, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in response to a written parliamentary question.

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (GCIS)

Covid-19 projections: Eastern Cape could see 6 000 deaths in next 3 months

Covid-19 is expected to kill between 5 500 to 6 000 people in the Eastern Cape over the next three months.

Medical worker. (Darren Stewart, Gallo Images)

Rugby edging closer to new global calendar and Test window shake-up

World Rugby is edging closer to implementing a revised global calendar that could lead to significant changes in Test rugby.  

Life Healthcare Group takes systems offline after 'targeted criminal attack' on its IT system

Life Healthcare Group takes systems offline after 'targeted criminal attack' on its IT system

Life Healthcare Group says its southern African operations have been hit by a "targeted criminal attack on its IT systems".

A nurse pushes a patient into surgery. (Getty Images)

Forming small 'social bubbles' could fight the coronavirus' spread

On Monday, a county in the San Francisco area in the US implemented new health guidelines that instruct residents to form social circles of up 12 people with whom to socialise.

Department of Science and Technology statement

Making healthcare affordable by strengthening the South African pharmaceutical value chain (excerpt)

The Technology Innovation Agency, the Department of Science and Innovation and North-West University announce the establishment of a Local Manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Technology Innovation Cluster, which aims to enable a dynamic South African pharmaceutical manufacturing industry with access to critical and modern drugs through innovative and world-class processing technology.  

The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) cluster could be what South Africa needs to save on the billions of rand it currently spends importing APIs for medicines.  The cost of pharmaceuticals is contributing to the high cost of healthcare in South Africa, with the country spending approximately R15 billion a year on imported APIs.

...

The joint R13 million investment to establish the API Technology Innovation Cluster aims to drive technology development and the commercialisation of API manufacturing in South Africa by focusing on the synthesis of small molecule APIs for human health using modern manufacturing technology.   

Emerging trends and the competitiveness of the industry are strong motivators to enhance the security of supply of critical drugs and address the imbalance of imports versus exports in this sector, positioning the country as a strategic regional API manufacturing hub.  

The cluster will stimulate industry competitiveness and world-class API manufacturing in South Africa by leveraging existing skills, technologies and facilities available in South Africa.  The foundation of the cluster will be an aggressive locally developed technology strategy that can be used to lever collaboration and partnerships within the pharmaceutical sector.

...

In the wake of the current global Covid-19 pandemic, the negative effects of limitations on international trade directly impact ability to import APIs from countries such as China and India, and hence affect the provision of drug products in the South African healthcare system.   

South Africa's current dependency on these countries for API raw materials is further motivation for the investment in promoting local API manufacturing, thereby ensuring security of supply of essential drugs.

ANALYSIS | The cracks inside Ramaphosa's 'consultative government'

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's announcement that he would petition national government for the reinstatement of the alcohol ban in the Eastern Cape has exposed cracks inside President Cyril Ramaphosa's consultative response to Covid-19.

INFOGRAPHICS | Covid-19: Diabetes, hypertension and HIV - what Western Cape's deaths data shows by age

Western Cape data shows that 65% of people who died of Covid-19 had more than one comorbidity. Diabetes and hypertension were the most prevalent in cases where patients died. Age also plays a significant role in one's risk if you have a comorbidity.

Coronavirus morning update: EC premier to push for booze ban, and R239m for Cuban medics

Your latest coronavirus news: The Eastern Cape premier will lobby to reinstate a liquor ban for his province; and more than R239m to be paid to Cuban medical specialists.

• The Covid-19 related death toll breached the 1 000 mark on Monday evening.
• The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has risen to 50 879.
• As of 8 June, 26 099 recoveries have been recorded in South Africa.

TALKING POINT: On Monday schools across the country opened for teaching, starting with grades 7 and 12. This despite mixed reactions about returning to school amidst the country's rising number of Covid-19 cases.

A team of News24 reporters was on the ground and found that personnel screened pupils as they entered schools and were given masks and gloves. However, some schools in far-flung areas were still experiencing water shortage problems and lack of proper sanitation which forced some to close its gates.

Here is a wrap of our stories:

38 Gauteng schools have reported Covid-19 cases, says Lesufi

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi announced that 38 schools in the province have reported Covid-19 cases.

Lesufi was updating the media in Midrand on the first day of the reopening of schools on Monday afternoon.

He also said 39 pupils and teachers have tested positive.

"Today only, we received 38 new cases that demand investigations. The 38 new cases that demand investigation is in the process of tracing those that were in contact with those that have tested positive," he said.

Lesufi also told reporters the province recorded an 85% attendance of pupils and educators on the first day of the reopening of schools. 

He added that nine schools did not open, due to infrastructural issues, which the department is currently addressing.

Teaching starts at one Gauteng school while another raises alarm bells

Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko raised concerns regarding the level of cleaning at Sehopotso Secondary School in Sebokeng.

Mazibuko visited the school to inspect the state of readiness as Grade 7 and 12 pupils returned to classrooms on Monday.

The MEC said the school wasn't thoroughly cleaned, including several classrooms. However, she said the school was ready to resume teaching and learning.

Gauteng farm school closed after mayor discovers there is no water for pupils

School opened for pupils attending Ramusukula Secondary School on Monday, despite there being no water on the school's property.

Pupils spent more than four hours at the school, which is situated in the Barrage farming area in the Vaal, before Emfuleni Mayor Gift Moerane raised alarm bells.

Moerane made the discovery after he had went to the bathroom and noticed there was no water. The mayor was then informed by officials at the school that boreholes supplying water to the school had run dry.

#schoolreopening Government officials have shockingly discovered that there is no water at Ramusukula Secondary School in Barrage. The school is situated in a farming area @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/mKjbwKUz1p

— ntwaagae Seleka (@ntwaagae) June 8, 2020

More than 100 KZN schools still closed due to water shortages

More than 100 schools in KwaZulu-Natal did not open with the rest of the schools around the country on Monday due to water challenges, the province's Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu has confirmed.

During his visit to schools, Mshengu said it was expected that over 6 000 schools in the KZN province would open. However, 104 schools would not be opening due to water shortages.

Grade 12 learners practicing social distancing while waiting for their PPEs @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/pB9I4OIxqo

— Ceboh Nyambose (@CebohNyambose) June 8, 2020

Back to school in Limpopo, but one private school closed after pupil tests positive

While schooling in Limpopo resumed in the majority of areas on Monday amid joy and trepidation from Grade 7s and 12s, classes were suspended at a private institution in Polokwane after a pupil tested positive for Covid-19.

The principal at Mitchell House School, Andrew Cook, said in a letter to parents that the Grade 12 pupil had returned to school last week.

The pupil had been in contact with others between Monday and Wednesday, before developing flu-like symptoms.

Most Eastern Cape schools reopen, but mobile toilets, water tanks, PPE still needed at 490

While 95% of schools in the Eastern Cape reopened on Monday, 490 schools have been delayed as the education department delivered mobile toilets, water tanks and personal protective equipment on the first day of school amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Themba Kojana, superintendent general of the provincial education department, told News24 the process of delivering equipment to schools was still under way.

"By 15:00, I will be able to tell you how many schools we have managed to cover. Our workers are on the ground. But we have made sure that the pupils are not suffering. For instance, neighbouring schools are housing learners whose schools are not ready because remember this is only two grades that are returning to school. We are still disinfecting some schools while others are getting mobile toilets."

Return of Mpumalanga pupils goes smoothly, despite some setbacks - dept

Grade 7s and 12s in Mpumalanga were welcomed back to school on Monday and, despite a few setbacks, the reopening went smoothly, according to Jasper Zwane, spokesperson for the province’s education department.

Zwane said most districts across the province had experienced a "relatively stable" reopening, with many pupils able to return.

Zwane said the local business forum had held a protest over tenders in Lekazi near Mbombela.

"We want to condemn this… it is really uncalled for and we think it compromises the future of our children. If people want tenders they should wait for the tender bulletin and apply accordingly," Zwane said.

Pupils relocated after viral video shows crumbling school infrastructure in Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has relocated pupils and teachers from Makibe Primary School to Mogalitwa Primary School as part of a temporary measure after she expressed her dissatisfaction with the dilapidated state of the farm school.

Makibe Primary School has been shut down and 36 Grade 7 pupils relocated, Mtshweni-Tsipane said on Monday.

"As we speak, that school has been closed with immediate effect - there will be no teaching and learning at the school.

First 10 patients admitted to CTICC 'hospital of hope' after four-week conversion

Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is now officially a live, medical treatment centre – dubbed "The Hospital of Hope" - as it admits its first 10 patients in Cape Town.

The eerie rows of 862 empty hospital beds - inspected by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Friday last week – now have their first patients. This just four weeks after the radical transformation of the landmark tourism venue began – in a metamorphosis praised by the national government.

 Johannesburg mayor goes into self-isolation after staffer tests positive for Covid-19

Johannesburg mayor Geoff Makhubo has gone into self-isolation after a staffer in his office tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.

According to a statement by mayoral spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase, the staff member in the mayor's office tested positive for the virus following a trip to the Western Cape for a funeral last week.

82 new coronavirus deaths brings the tally to 1080, with 26 deaths from the Eastern Cape, 55 from the Western Cape and one from KwaZulu-Natal.

The number of coronavirus cases now stands at 50 879 with 2 594 new infections.

The are 26 099 recoveries.

No formal word about government ministers' deployment to Western Cape, says Winde

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he is still in the dark about the details surrounding the deployment of top ANC ministers to the province amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Winde says before any such decision will be taken, there would need to be consultation between national and the province's leadership.

Plans to deploy national ministers to the Western Cape to assist in the fight against Covid-19 are under way, according to a report in the Sunday Times.

The publication reported that the likes of Police Minister Bheki Cele, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, and Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Minister Barbara Creecy would be among those deployed to the province.

Booze ban: Mabuyane to push for alcohol ban in the Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane will lobby national government to reinstate a liquor ban under Level 3 lockdown for his province, due to fears that alcohol will harm the battle against Covid-19 infections.

Mabuyane will petition the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to have the ban on alcohol reintroduced in his province.

Maimane's school challenge: There is nothing to hide, Lesufi says

Gauteng's Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says he is willing to conduct a walkabout with the leader of the One SA Movement, Mmusi Maimane at a school of his choice.

"I told him, I still invite him to choose that school. We will go there as there is nothing to hide. If there are problems we will fix it," Lesufi told media at the Pohopedi Primary School in Poortjie on Monday. 

This comes after Maimane challenged Lesufi to a walkabout, days after the One SA Movement leader lost his Constitutional Court challenge on Friday to stop the reopening of schools on Friday. 

Lesufi further indicated he would clear his diary for Thursday at 16:00 to complete the task.

#SchoolsReopening : MEC Panyaza Lesufi says that he is willing to do a walk about with @MmusiMaimane at a school of his choice. Lesufi suggests Thursday at 4pm @TeamNews24 . pic.twitter.com/nw3Ij5NwtH

— Canny Maphanga (@CannyMaphanga) June 8, 2020

New Bulls guru hopes SA appreciates club rugby more after Covid-19

Russell Winter hopes the broader South African rugby community will have an increased sense of appreciation for club rugby in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

WATCH | SA doctors record inspiring lockdown song using their phones

Doctors are feeling the pinch during the Covid-19 pandemic and, at the same time, are dealing with the paradox of sick patients who are reluctant to visit their consultation rooms, resulting in them having to treat people remotely.

(Screen shot image)

Malema accuses Ramaphosa of neutralising political parties to legitimise lockdown regulations

EFF leader Julius Malema will no longer participate in President Cyril Ramaphosa's consultative meetings with political parties on government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lockdown: Taxi fares to more than double across country in June - Santaco

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has announced a price fare increase which will impact every association across the country.

INFOGRAPHICS | Covid-19: Inside the Eastern Cape outbreak that has claimed 101 lives so far

It has been 55 days since the first Covid-19 death in the Eastern Cape was recorded on 14 April, which became only the second province in the country to reach a death toll of more than 100 people over the weekend. 

Recreational fishing is now allowed under Level 3 lockdown - here are SA's best locations

Under South Africa’s Level 3 lockdown conditions, permit-holding recreational fishers are once again free to wake up at dawn and wade tentatively into gurgling waters.

Fishing at the Maswiri Dam. (Tim Hulme)

EFF to challenge SANDF report that clears members of wrongdoing in Collins Khosa death

The EFF will challenge the outcomes of an investigation by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) which cleared its members of wrongdoing in the death of Collins Khosa, Julius Malema said on Monday.

'More screening machines needed' - Olievenhoutbosch pupils express concern on first day back

Excitement, anxiety and fear were evident on the faces of Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School Grade 12 pupils on Monday as they returned to class after being away for just over two months when schools were closed due to the Covid-19 national lockdown.

Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School Grade 12 pupils' first day back. (Sesona Ngqakamba, News24)

Tobacco group to argue Dlamini-Zuma overstepped powers in banning sales of cigarettes

The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association is set to argue that Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has overstepped her powers in banning the sale of cigarettes under the nationwide lockdown, saying she does not have the authority to pick and choose what items be banned as a precautionary measure.

Coronavirus: 55 schools in Western Cape report cases, 30 schools in Gauteng

The Western Cape says 55 schools have been affected by cases of Covid-19 in the province, while 30 schools in Gauteng have reported cases.

HIV testing system created by porn industry could help Hollywood resume production

California is set reopen on June 12, which means that the studios of Hollywood can call "action" on film and TV production once again.