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Last week, attention turned to the possibility of a ‘second wave’ crashing in South Africa. Meanwhile, some Covid-19 corrupters were caught while some escaped. And President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan in Parliament.
Maverick Citizen’s daily coronavirus summary has been formatted as a weekly coronavirus summary. Each Friday morning, the summary will summarize the highlights of the week’s news about the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
Blows of a ‘second wave’
In announcing Following his own positive Covid-19 test this week, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize warned that South Africa is at risk of a “second wave” of Covid-19 if the public does not adhere to health guidelines such as washing hands. hands, wear masks and maintain a physical distance. Later in the week, new data suggested that this second wave may have already hit the country. New cases of Covid-19 have increased in recent weeks, as has excess deaths after weeks of calm.
The Scientists Collective has written about how to prevent or mitigate this resurgence. They explain what South Africa can learn from other countries and suggest a way forward in its final warning.
To understand key technical concepts like herd immunity, individual immunity, and herd immunity, see This article by Professor Alex Welte.
Pandemic fatigue is settling
A recent survey found that more and more people are adopting a laid-back attitude – or rather pandemic or precautionary “fatigue” – toward distancing, wearing face masks, and washing hands. People believe they are less likely to become infected and increasingly find themselves in crowded social situations where they are more likely to become infected.
In another survey, it has been found that almost one third of adults do not wear a mask every time they leave home, even though this is mandatory. The use of masks has remained constant from July to September, but it is not enough.
‘People before patents’ say academics, researchers and professors
A group of more than 40 South African academics, researchers and professors have joined international support for the proposal by the governments of South Africa and India that global intellectual property rights should not apply to Covid-19 drugs. Furthermore, this group argues that these reforms must be applied to South Africa to be effective. Read his letter here. The proposal appeared before the World Trade Organization, but was not approved, but has garnered support from the World Health Organization and the United Nations among hundreds of other organizations.
Covid-19 corrupters caught
The Hawks arrested a business owner who charged the OR Tambo district municipality R4.8 million for a door-to-door Covid-19 awareness campaign. The owner of the Phathilizwi Training Institute, Phumza Portia Gambula, briefly appeared at the Mthatha Regional Court and was provisionally charged with fraud. How Estelle ellis Y Hoseya Jubase write, a forensic investigation found that the company intentionally submitted fraudulent documents. Furthermore, the service was only partially delivered.
The Special Investigation Unit is investigating two-thirds of all Covid-19 contracts in the country. This is equivalent to R10.5 billion of the total R15.6 billion spent between April and August, by 930 service providers with unreliable contracts. The provinces are responsible for most of the dubious spending, with Gauteng leading the way, then Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Marianne merten unpack the numbers.
Gauteng Rand 1 billion ICU spending yet to be explained
Companies that received bids for a R1.2 billion Gauteng government project were chosen from a pre-approved list. The projects are still far from being completed and may end up being white elephants. The ICU field hospital program is on the radar of the Special Investigation Unit, which the Gauteng Infrastructure Development Department has cited as the reason for refusing to answer important questions. Mark Heywood investigates.
Bandile Masuku and Khusela Diko suspended from party activities
Former Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku and suspended presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko have been referred to the ANC provincial disciplinary committee for their role in awarding controversial PPE contracts. They have been told to “stay away” from party activities until the process to “protect the integrity of the ANC and affected comrades” is completed. However, as Greg Nicolson writes, the saga is far from over.
Covid-19 revenue loss blamed for skyrocketing electricity bills at Joburg
By April, Joburg had collected R2.83 billion from fees and utilities. This was well below its target of R3.54 billion. How Fair Haffajee writes, rising electricity costs are likely being used to offset it. Electricity rates are now the most expensive in the country.
South African Human Rights Commissioner to Take Action on Covid-19 Refugee Grants
South African Human Rights Commissioner Chris Nissen has said that he will speak with the Department of Labor to speed up the process of obtaining the special Covid-19 R350 grant for asylum seekers. He spoke after a seminar organized by the Institute for Healing of Memories at the District Six Homecoming Center in Cape Town. Here, some 20 refugees and asylum seekers from as far away as South Sudan shared their frustrations when accessing documents and grants. How Sandisiwe shoba writes, they cannot open bank accounts, access health care, or enroll their children in school without this paperwork.
The Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan reaches Parliament
On Wednesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan in Parliament against criticism from the opposition. He said that what made his plan different is his “new determination”, which is based on the participation of the “social partners”. Marianne merten It describes why, in fact, it is the Presidency that supports the plan.
A group of 10 activists who have been working on issues affecting women and children have written an open letter to Ramaphosa about this plan. They urge you to take action to prevent further food insecurity and hunger. Reading it here.
Western Cape lays out a plan for a post-Covid world
On Wednesday, the Western Cape told Parliament that it had lost 150,000 jobs but that its recovery will surpass the rest of the country. Additionally, you are now fighting numerous Covid-19 “forest fires.” However, Prime Minister Alan Winde is confident that the province can keep it under control and pursue an economic recovery plan. Its objective is to recover lost jobs by the end of the year, invest in infrastructure and increase exports, among others. However, as Suné Payne writes, Winde warned that budget cuts are a concern, but the opposition says this creates fear and that the plan does not address inequalities in the province. DM / MC
