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Covid-19 daily update: 10,939 new cases identified in South Africa and the latest global developments
As of Saturday, December 19, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases detected is 912,477 with 10,939 new cases identified, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed.
A further 254 deaths related to Covid-19 were reported, with 85 from the Eastern Cape, 12 from the Free State, 18 from Gauteng, 61 from Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), 4 from Limpopo and 74 from the Western Cape.
This brings the total number of Covid-19-related deaths to 24,539.
“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and we thank the health workers who cared for the deceased,” added the minister.
Recoveries now stand at 787 782, while a A total of 6,100,373 tests have been completed with 48,387 new tests performed since the last report.
DA Claims NDZ ‘Unilaterally’ Modified Curfew in Latest Regulations
On Saturday, the Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement claiming that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, undermined President Cyril Ramaphosa by unilaterally issuing a new national closing time of 9:00 p.m. for the establishments.
However, it appears that the party is confusing segments of the regulations, which were intended only for critical areas.
The curfew in the active zones is at 22:00 and the bars, restaurants and other establishments must close one hour before. In the rest of the country, the curfew is at 23:00 and bars and restaurants close at 22:00.
This was confirmed by Cogta spokesperson Lungi Mtshali on Saturday, who told News24 that Dlamini-Zuma had not changed a thing.
‘Come to the party’ or Uber Eats SA drivers strike continues – Duane Bernard
After taking a massive action on Friday, December 18, Uber Eats drivers have decided to continue their strike on Saturday.
The Uber Eats drivers strike is against Uber Eats South Africa’s actions to reduce the fee paid to drivers per delivery. Duane Bernard, who represents some of the striking drivers, said that even though customers get discounts, including restaurants, drivers have suffered and have their rates lowered.
Their demands include a delivery fee of R20 for the first 2 km, and then R6 per kilometer after that. Uber connection service delivery must be a minimum of R30 and have an additional payment during peak hours around lunch between 11 am and 1 pm
FIU Processing Payments for Pending Covid-19 Ters Claims
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is in the process of paying your pending Covid-19 Ters claims for September and October.
The FIU’s director of communication and marketing, Makhosonke Buthelezi, said that payments on outstanding claims would be made again for the period from April to 15 September 2020.
“The fund has also started to process and pay claims to foreign nationals that were verified through the department of home affairs and the revenue service and comply with all other verification processes,” Makhosonke said.
“These payments come from R55.6 billion to millions of workers from 1.1 million requests that the fund has disbursed since the first lockdown in March.”
Makhosonke said this figure included just over R2 billion paid to 491,410 foreign nationals out of 95,834 employer applications.
Acting Commissioner Marsha Bronkhorst said the fund had been repeating claims sporadically over the past months.
“However, this time, we have decided to recycle all claims to ensure that those with up-to-date statements and discrepancies are paid when we rerun payments.
Zuma should appear before Zondo despite his request for review
Former President Jacob Zuma’s decision not to participate “at all” in the Constitutional Court’s request for the state capture investigation to force him to appear and answer questions in January and February 2021 is “yet another instance of Mr. Zuma to account for his illegal conduct. “
This is according to attorneys for the commission in arguments presented in court this week.
In a letter sent to the Acting Clerk of the Constitutional Court on Monday, Zuma’s attorney, Eric Mabuza, said that the former president’s legal team had been “instructed” that he “will not participate at all in these processes,” News24 reported.
This means that you will not object to the request for consultation.
But because Zuma has not objected to the relief the commission seeks, attorneys will argue in court that the former president was required to appear and testify under the new subpoena, regardless of his request for review, challenging the denial. Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo to recuse himself. .
DA will oppose pension money to reduce Eskom’s debt of more than 500 billion rand
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party announced on Saturday that it plans to oppose a proposal to use public servants’ pensions to reduce Eskom’s debt of more than 500 billion rand.
The shadow minister of DA Empresas Públicas, Ghaleb Cachalia, said in a statement that despite the fact that the holder of Eskom’s debt, Futuregrowth Asset Management, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) was contacted by the National Treasury to convert about R95 billion of Eskom’s debt held by the PIC. in fairness.
Earlier this year, Cosatu published a bold proposal to relieve Eskom of about 60% of its debt using pension money.
The plan would see the PIC, which administers pensions on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), the Southern African Development Bank, the Industrial Development Corporation and private lenders, take R254 billion from the Eskom books.
Hawks catch four Housing Development officials over ‘Covid-19 shack settlement’ saga
Four members of the Housing Development Agency (HDA) bid evaluation committee have been arrested on fraud charges in connection with the Talana “Covid-19 shack settlement” scandal.
Hawks spokesman Capt.Matimba Maluleke said they were arrested in Johannesburg on Friday and face fraud charges in the amount of R2.4 million in connection with the Talana temporary housing unit project on the outskirts of Tzaneen in Limpopo. .
On Thursday, the Hawks arrested Raymond Maoto, HDA project manager, and Constance Mohlala, director of Aventino Group CC in Polokwane.
The housing units stood out when Limpopo Prime Minister Stan Mathabatha was heavily criticized and embarrassed when he handed over more than 40 temporary Covid-19 tin shelters in August.
Sundowns, Arrows end 2020 at a standstill
Mamelodi Sundowns was frustrated Saturday afternoon when he failed to finish the year with a victory in the DStv Premiership after drawing 1-1 with Golden Arrows at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
Arrows and Downs can take comfort in the fact that they will enter the New Year without a loss in the league, and the Brazilians are likely to remain at the top of the record after this weekend’s round of matches.
Meanwhile, the draw count is on the rise for Mandla Ncikazi’s team as they have accumulated six draws so far.
‘I could see ghosts’: cheetah trainer breathes a sigh of relief
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie admitted that he began to see portents of a loss at Nelspruit on Friday night before his team clinched a close 35-31 victory over the Pumas.
Both teams scored five attempts, but when
The Pumas led by 10 points shortly after the break, Fourie was not optimistic about the result.
“After they scored their first try (via hooker Simon Westraadt) their tails were up and when we fell behind 17-7 at the start of the second half, I started seeing ghosts and fearing the worst,” Fourie said.
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