South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 16 April

All the latest news in South Africa in one place; check out our overview of all major headlines on Thursday 16 April.

With government heeding the call by expert epidemiologist and COVID-19 advisor, Salim Abdool Karim, to urgently construct field hospitals, the country’s convention centres are quickly being transformed into quarantine zones. Meanwhile, government’s feeding scheme comes under fire following allegations of political favouritism.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Thursday 16 April

Nasrec Expo Centre transformation almost complete

The Nasrec Expo Centre, previously used to host events and conferences, has been transformed into an emergency quarantine facility intended to assist with Gauteng’s burgeoning COVID-19 outbreak.

In an ironic twist of fate, the centre, which held the African National Congress’ (ANC) 54th National Conference just over two years ago – an event which saw Cyril Ramaphosa elected as party leader and, subsequently, president of South Africa – will now be used to supplement the healthcare system in a time of extreme crisis.

Bandile Masuku, the MEC for Health in the Gauteng Province, conducted a site visit to the facility on Wednesday, touring the centre which now has over 2 000 beds and the capacity to treat hundreds of patients.

Gauteng remains the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa, recording 909 cases, four of which have been fatal.

Masuku noted that finishing touches on the Nasrec quarantine site were due to be completed within a week.

EFF slam ‘politicising’ of lockdown feeding scheme

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has slammed the ruling party for politicising the food parcel scheme which is intended to relieve hunger during the lockdown period. According to the EFF, the African National Congress (ANC) has neglected needy citizens in favour of their own supporters.

In a strongly-worded statement, the EFF called for the arrest of ANC officials found to be guilty of favouritism during this time of crisis.

Government’s push to provide hungry households with meals during lockdown has gotten off to a shaky start, leading to protests in Alexandra and on the Cape Flats. Government has said that it is increasing its capacity to deliver food to those in need and has called on NGO to work alongside state structures.

Government to clamp down on fake social media posts

Government has set-up a hi-tech monitoring and evaluation platform in an effort to ramp up state capacity to monitor and respond to misinformation and fake news proliferating during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a statement, acting Communication Minister Jackson Mthembu said the intervention is being put in place to assess complaints and reports from the media, the public and other sectors of society. The platform has the ability to take down fake news items on a range of platforms and submit cases to the SAPS for investigation and prosecution.

This solution is a unique collaboration between the Department, the Government Communication and Information System, Media Monitoring Africa and the COVIDComms volunteer communication network. (Source: SAnews)

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