South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 10 March

If you’re looking to stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place. Here all the major headlines on Tuesday 10 March.

As confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus continue to rise in South Africa, an inter-ministerial committee, led by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, comes under fire for not doing enough to halt the spread. Eskom continues to frustrate citizens with its load shedding schedules and, in sports news, the Blitzboks lick their wounds after a fourth-place finish at the Vancouver Sevens.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Tuesday 10 March

Coronavirus cases rise to seven, more ‘expected’

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says he is not surprised by the positive coronavirus cases emanating from a group which recently returned to South Africa from Italy. Addressing the media as part of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with handling the potential outbreak in South Africa, Mkhize confirmed that the total number of coronavirus cases had risen to seven on Monday.

All cases are limited to a group of travellers which returned to the country after holidaying in Italy, the worst-hit country outside of China which has recorded more than 300 deaths. At least 16 million people have been placed under quarantine in northern Italy.

Mkhize faced tough questions from journalists in attendance, after previously noting South Africa’s preparedness to deal with the virus. Government’s unwillingness to impose travel bans and inability to competently conduct screenings at various points of entry has been highly criticised. Despite public disapproval, Mkhize called for calm and downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus’ presence in South Africa, instead blasting the press for “panicked reporting”.

Track the spread and severity of the coronavirus, here.

Rand and JSE take a serious tumble

Both local and international markets have been dealt a massive blow by the coronavirus pandemic. Added uncertainty emanating from travel restrictions, curfews and quarantines has had a particularly turbulent effect on global economics, with currencies fluctuating wildly.

The rand has been hardest hit by the uncertainty, dipping to its worst level in almost five years against the US dollar and seeing even greater losses against the British pound.

The JSE has also experienced a bloodbath on Monday, made worse by a crashing oil price, which saw Sasol’s share price dip by 45%. In turn, the JSE’s all-share index dropped by more than 5%. Other big losers include Glencore, which sunk 13%, and MTN, which lost 12%.

Eskom turns load shedding schedule up to Stage 2

South Africa’s economic prospects, which are already in the ropes, are set to be battered even further by the national power supplier’s inability to keep the lights on. While Eskom announced that Stage 1 load shedding would dominate the week ahead, a statement issued by the embattled utility on Monday afternoon noted the rise to Stage 2.

Eskom added that Stage 2 load shedding would continue for the rest of the week.

Focus on rural development to balance urban migration

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says rural settlements must be transformed in order to counter urban migration trends.

“No matter how much we redesign and revamp our cities, they were not designed to take such large inflows,” the minister said.

Speaking at the recent Human Settlements Indaba in Gauteng, the minister said the concentration of industrial and private sector investments in areas that are already privileged has led to low local economic growth in rural and township areas.

“Our settlements remain unresponsive to the aspirations of our people and are largely based on apartheid spatial planning patterns.

“Our cities are also bursting at the seams with the high rural urban migration,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

The minister said data gathering and research capabilities must be strengthened in the area of human settlements in order to develop plans that respond accurately to real challenges on the ground. (Source: SAnews)

Blitzboks stay in hunt after fourth place in Vancouver

 The Springbok Sevens team will return home with 37 out of a possible 44 log points gained on the North American leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, which includes a first LA Sevens crown, and a consolidated second place on the series standings.

However, defeats to New Zealand (27-15) in the semi-final and Canada (26-19) in the bronze medal match in Vancouver spoiled a nine-match winning streak on tour and lost them their Canada Sevens crown in BC Place early on Monday morning (SA time).

Those defeats will hurt the team for a while, admitted Blitzboks coach Neil Powell, as they were untimely reminders that a lack of discipline and unforced errors are poison in any team’s diet. (Source: ANA)

Bloemfontein Celtic in financial turmoil again

Premier Soccer League club Bloemfontein Celtic are reportedly in financial trouble again with their technical staff going unpaid in February.

Celtic had to let coach Steve Khompela go last season when cash flow problems at Siwelele left them unable to pay him on time.

The players received their pay for February, but coaches were told to be patient or find a new employer.

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