South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 24 March

If you need to know all the latest news in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place. Check out all major headlines on Tuesday 24 March 2020.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Tuesday 24 March

SA placed on lockdown

Let’s face it: We are living in strange and what sometimes feels like surreal times as the coronavirus spreads its tentacles across the world — with South Africa unfortunately no exception. Nations put on lockdown to halt the spread of the deadly COVID-19, has become a worldwide occurrence, with Wuhan in China being a good example of where such an extreme measure — when implemented at an early stage — has paid off.

Our lives have now also officially been put on hold after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday night on decisions and measures taken by the National Command Council following extensive meetings.

The president announced that South Africa will be put on a 21-day nationwide lockdown from midnight Thursday 26 March to midnight Thursday 16 April in order for the country to “avoid a human catastrophe”.

See the categories of people who will be exempted from the nationwide lockdown here.

However, with the number of confirmed cases increasing six-fold in just eight days from 61 cases to 402 cases on Monday 23 March, and Ramaphosa saying “this number will continue to rise”, this catalytic measure could be the best move to save lives.

Especially considering cases such as the Eastern province’s patient zero hitting the streets of East London for a walkabout, claiming the self-quarantine that was imposed on her, violates her right to freedom of movement…

How will government enforce the lockdown?

Of course, one can’t blame the nation for feeling unsettled and fearing a stockpiling stampede at their local grocery store.

How this lockdown will be enforced, remains to be seen with members of the National Command Council to address the media on the details of government interventions in various sectors in response to the president’s address at 10:00 on Tuesday 24 March.

Before the lockdown was announced on Monday evening, the South African Defence Force (SANDF) explained what their role would be as buses of SANDF members were spotted along Jan Smuts Avenue in Craighall and soldiers were seen occupying barracks in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

SANDF denied that this was a “deployment”, and went on to explain that they were simply being “mobilised” to help the South African Police Force (SAPS) with their operations and called on South Africans to remain calm.

Their supportive role was confirmed by President Ramaphosa in his Monday evening address:

“I have accordingly directed the South African National Defence Force be deployed to support the South African Police Service in ensuring that the measures we are announcing are implemented.”

SANDF’s plea for calm heads is echoed by the experts, and some sources are claiming that every province in the country is set to feel some sort of military presence over the next few days.

According to Ramaphosa, the lockdown will be accompanied by a public health management programme which will see an increase in screening and contract tracing.

Rupert and Oppenheimer’s R1bn show of solidarity

And it seems the two richest citizens of our country — Nicky Oppenheimer and Johann Rupert — are also in “mobilisation phase”, having contributed R1 billion each to the newly established Solidarity Fund.

The fund, which will be chaired by Gloria Serobe, will focus efforts to combat the spread of the virus, help government to track the spread, care for those who are ill and support those whose lives are disrupted.

The president encouraged South African businesses, organisations and individuals, and members of the international community to contribute to the fund. And government itself has contributed R150 million to the fund which, to be honest, pales in comparison to the generous amounts of Oppenheimer and Rupert.

Ford puts brakes on production for now

Ford has begun suspending operations worldwide, shutting down factories across the globe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two of the production plants affected by the shutdown are located in South Africa. The Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria and the Struandale engine plant in Nelson Mandela Bay are expected to completely halt production by Friday 27 March.

The fifth-largest automaker in the world affirmed their commitment to putting the health and safety of its workers, customers and the wider public before profits.

“The health and safety of our employees, dealers, customers, partners and communities is our highest priority,” said Ford Motor Company’s International Markets Group president Mark Ovenden.

Judge Tintswalo Makhubele to face tribunal

The Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC), chaired by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, has recommended that a complaint against Judge Tintswalo Makhubele be referred to the Judicial Conduct Tribunal for “investigation and determination”.

The complaint was submitted by commuter activist group #UniteBehind in January 2019.

The complaint stated that Makhubele engaged in “gross misconduct” while holding the position of chairperson of the Interim Board of Control of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). This misconduct referred to Makhubele’s involvement and alleged disruption of the Siyaya litigation.

Judge Makhubele also “improperly held a dual status” when she acted as a judge of the High Court of Gauteng while also serving as chairperson of Prasa. This violates the Code of Judicial Conduct’s requirement for the separation of powers. (Source: GroundUp)

Public protector loses latest court battle

Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mhkwebane’s bid to obtain the 2009 tax records of former president Jacob Zuma has been dealt a knockout blow, after the North Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and said that private taxpayer records are not up for grabs. 

Zuma had signed off on Mkhwebane investigating his records, a means of “clearing the air”, but SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that the tax collector was at no liberty or obligation to hand over the tax records of any private citizen, subpoena or not. 

And Judge Peter Mabuse agreed with him, ruling that Mkhwebane’s subpoena powers did not extend to taxpayer information.

The public protector will now have to pay 15% of SARS’ legal costs. 

DA challenges decision to place Tshwane metro under administration

The decision to place the Tshwane metro under administration could be reversed as the Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to fight for the city in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday 24 March.

The Gauteng provincial government and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) had last week approved the application for the embattled metro to be placed under administration and the council was subsequently dissolved at the weekend.

On Monday 23 March, Gauteng cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Lebogang Maile announced a team of 10 administrators who will work with senior managers at the City of Tshwane for the next 90 days. 

Proteas central contracts announced

Amid all the coronavirus mayhem, Cricket South Africa (CSA) have named the players who have been awarded Proteas central contracts for the coming year.

CSA handed contracts to 16 men and 14 women, opting to keep the 17th men’s slot open for now.

Their choices mean that the heroes of the One-Day International (ODI) series win against Australia — Janneman Malan and Henrich Klaasen — miss out on Proteas contracts.

While Malan has only just broken through, Klaasen has been in the frame for some time and was particularly impressive towards the back-end of the summer. Klaasen was on fire against Australia scoring a ton and two half-centuries in the three ODI matches against the tourists.

See the full list of men’s and women’s Proteas contracted players here.

Latest weather forecast, Tuesday 24 March

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

Live traffic updates for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

Horoscope today

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Tuesday 24 March.