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Concerns are mounting that South Africa will experience a sharp increase in crime and social unrest as desperation for the food supply spills onto streets and shops across the country.
According to a senior police official, who briefed News24 on the concerns raised during high-level government meetings this week, it was only a matter of time before protests and looting broke out on an unmanageable scale.
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The official, who cannot be named as he is not authorized to speak to the media, said that a warning about possible increases in social unrest as observed in Cape Town this week was delivered to the police administration and the minister. Police Officer Bheki Cele.
Thursday marked three weeks since the start of a national blockade that confined millions of people to their homes.
The closure caused thousands of small and medium-sized businesses and their staff, as well as merchants and informal workers, to be deprived of their income streams overnight.
On Thursday night, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said 48 people have died after contracting the coronavirus, with the majority found in KwaZulu-Natal (20), adding that the number of confirmed cases now was 2,605, of which 903 people have recovered.
The official expressed concern over Cele’s consideration of possible protests and looting, saying the minister “had lost the plot.”
“The [Cele] He doesn’t ignore it, “the official said.” But if we don’t put out these fires quickly, it will be too big to control. “
The official said Cele appeared to be more concerned with alcohol and cigarette bans, and with monitoring minor violations than addressing real problems.
“We are monitoring minor crimes while people are beaten and killed for going to the stores. People are broke, people are hungry. Crime is going to go through the roof. We are concerned that more people are starving than we are. they will die. ” of the coronavirus. “
The official added that they were already hearing problems with the distribution of food packages, and the disparity over who received packages and who did not.
Phone calls to known Cele numbers, as well as an email request for comment, went unanswered.
On Thursday, Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura said more than 10,100 people have been arrested in the province for confinement violations.
Cele announced on April 8 that the number of people arrested nationwide was around 3,000.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that as part of a series of measures taken by the government to ease the burden on millions of South Africans who lost their incomes and had no access to food and water, food packages would be distributed and water tanks would be installed .
Lockdown officially extended
The national closure, originally due to end at midnight on Thursday, was officially extended by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, on Thursday.
He announced several updates to the regulations that will see mining companies return production levels to 50% of capacity and exports of goods that are already stored in port facilities to decongest supply chains in preparation for gradual relief from the blockade. .
A nationwide ban on the sale of liquor and cigarettes would remain.
Additionally:
- Mining companies must ensure that quarantine and detection facilities are available on-site, and workers returning from their homes will be evaluated.
- They allow a gradual ease in regulations for warehouses and support companies that provide services directly linked to essential services; This includes vehicle repairs for essential services, but dealers would have to keep records of people who bought parts or components from them.
- Amended regulations stop the transportation of alcohol. The only alcohol that can be transported is the supplies needed for essential goods (disinfectants) and essential services.
- Fuel refineries would be allowed to start returning production levels to higher levels in anticipation of needed fuel amid a gradual easing of the blockade.
- A ministerial directive has been cemented that allows parents to transport their children between homes, and parents must submit the necessary documentation, such as a court order, a document from the family advocate or a birth certificate if stopped.
- Plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, roof repairers, and glaziers are now allowed to do urgent home repair work.
WHO may feel the pinch of Trump’s funding cut
Meanwhile, priority aid efforts and projects in Africa may feel the impact of a decision by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to stop his country’s financing from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Trump announced the decision to stop about $ 50 million in annual funding to the WHO this week.
He felt that the Chinese government had deceived him too easily by transmitting Covid-19 from person to person in the early stages of the pandemic in that country.
Trump also accused the WHO of not sharing information in a timely manner in what has been labeled an attempt on his part to blame his administration’s inadequate and slow early response.
READ | SA government asks United States to reconsider decision to freeze WHO funds
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said, during a virtual press conference on Thursday, that he planned to require $ 300 million for Covid-19 aid programs in Africa over the next six months.
The United States was the largest individual contributor to the WHO with $ 50 million annually, Moeti added.
He said the WHO expected the United States administration to review its decision to suspend funding, not only because of the financial implications but also because WHO valued strategic partnerships with key United States institutions and companies.
Priority projects related to the eradication of polio, measles and HIV research could feel the effect of the withdrawal of funds from the United States, Moeti said, stressing that WHO was in talks with its other partners and donors.
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