South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 20 April

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by reviewing all major headlines on Monday 20 April. We’ve got a look ahead at the major stories that’ll be the talking points for today, and a review of what was a jam-packed weekend. Here’s what you need to know.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Monday 20 April

Economic plan set to be revealed

We’re expecting the release of an economic rescue plan at some point this week. Although the date has not been set in stone, the pressing need for a blueprint has intensified. Finance minister Tito Mboweni must come to the party in a big way, even if the decisions that lie ahead will prove difficult.

Any announcement on a time and date for the plan’s release will be communicated by the presidency in due course. We will have all the updates and developments as and when they take place.

Latest coronavirus numbers for South Africa

As of Sunday 19 April, 54 coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in South Africa, and 3 158 cases have been registered. The minister added that 114 711 tests have been conducted. Deaths are up by two on Sunday, and cases have risen by 124 over the past 24 hours.

Gauteng still has the most confirmed cases with a total of 1 148, followed by the Western Cape with 868, KwaZulu-Natal with 617 and Eastern Cape with 219. Health officials in South Africa have been buoyed by what they’ve seen this weekend. Daily testing rates have shot up at a rapid rate, and almost one million citizens have been screened for the illness.

Ministers considering ‘lockdown balance’

The rise in cases and deaths may be alarming to some, but these factors don’t mean that the health professionals want us to double-down on the current regulations. As Mkhize highlights, the decision to ease lockdown laws will prove to be a tricky balance – and he’s wary of the growing threat to our economy. With thousands of businesses currently shut down, South Africa’s workforce has been left in lockdown limbo.

If there is to be another lockdown extension, it will fall to President Cyril Ramaphosa to inform the nation of what our plans are. We’re likely to hear by next Friday if the date will be pushed back further than 1 May.

Durban vows tighter restrictions

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has promised the city of Durban an intensified lockdown as the metro became the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak in the province. What disturbs the premier is that 65% of all cases in KwaZulu-Natal being from the Durban-based eThekwini metro.

Collins Khosa family plan to sue SANDF for his death

The family of Alexandra township resident Collins Khosa have indicated their intention to sue the government over his alleged wrongful death. Khosa died on Good Friday from severe injuries allegedly received at the hands of South African National Defence force soldiers.

His widow told news media last week that the soldiers found an unopened beer in the fridge and proceeded to beat her husband, she says she tried to intervene, but the soldiers assaulted her as well. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate had already received reports of nine deaths at the hands of law enforcement when Khosa succumbed to his injuries last week.

The cooked food dilemma

You may have had to double-take this weekend, after trade minister Ebrahim Patel suddenly announced that cooked food will be removed from sale across South Africa while the lockdown is in place. His failure to explain his decision – almost impromptu by its nature – has ruffled feathers across the country.

Indeed, news has reached the office of Dean Macpherson – and the DA representative isn’t ready to take this one lying down. The shadow trade minister has been left perplexed by Patel’s pronouncement and highlighted that any decision to remove cooked food from the shelves would be particularly devastating for the elderly, who may be unable to cook food due to their frailty, as well as other communities.

Patel is now likely to face legal action from the disgruntled DA.

Bheki Cele referred to Ethics Committee

In these unprecedented times, it seems a pantomime villain has dominated the public discourse. Bheki Cele, the minister of police, is now facing a probe in Parliament due to his ‘conduct’ during the national lockdown.

The issue has been raised by Andrew Whitfield. The DA shadow minister also oversees police affairs, and is considered Bheki Cele’s opposite number. The politician has called out the Cabinet member, listing a number of ‘disgraceful comments’ he has made during the global health crisis. As Whitfield highlights:

• Cele suggested that SAPS “push” people home and told police; “do not be nice to suspects”.
• His comments about the rape of a woman at the hands of a police officer caused a national outcry.
• On Sunday 12 April, Cele gave the green-light to police to destroy private property if they were selling alcohol.
• IPID has confirmed eight people were killed due to heavy-handed policing during lockdown.
• The DA themselves have received over 200 complaints relating to police brutality since the end of March.

Jacob Zuma shuffles his pack

Ahead of the scheduled resumption of the court proceedings – penned down for 6 May – Zuma has appointed Eric Mabuza, who recently represented axed Old Mutual chief executive, Peter Moyo against the insurance giant.

In a statement issued out over the weekend, the Jacob Zuma foundation says the former state president sought to “dispel the much-repeated and tired narrative that seeks to suggest that in previously exercising his rights, former president Zuma sought to avoid his day in court or was adopting what the state calls Stalingrad tactics”.

Zuma has previously been represented by a high-profile ensemble led by Daniel Mantsha, who has been relieved of his duties to make way for Mabuza.

Oh, and load shedding might be making a comeback soon…

A senior representative has told the Sunday Times that once we’re allowed to return to work, it is ‘highly likely’ that South Africa will be blighted by load shedding once more.

Lockdown may have lightened the demand for electricity in South Africa – but it has also prevented workers from carrying on with essential maintenance work, as social distancing measures take their toll.

The lockdown ‘as we know it’ is scheduled to come to an end on Friday 1 May – but we’re likely to see a gradual reopening of businesses as the weeks go by.

Latest weather forecast, Monday 20 April

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 Monday 20 April.