South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 4 May

It’s the first Monday of the month, and thousands of South Africans will be returning to work under strict conditions. We’ve got all the biggest news headlines on Monday 4 May right here.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, MONDAY 4 MAY

Coronavirus in South Africa

Eight more people have died from COVID-19, and there are 447 new cases to report. It marks one of the biggest daily raises in cases since the pandemic reached the shores of South Africa. A total of 6 783 cases have been logged so far, with over 2 500 recoveries to speak of. Altogether, 131 people have been killed as a result of the pandemic.

Of the deceased, two more people passed away in the Western Cape. Another two lost their lives in Gauteng, whereas an additional four people succumbed to COVID-19 this weekend. WC remains the country’s epicentre, with 3 045 cases now reported. Gauteng has 1 624 patients, and Kwa-Zulu Natal is up to 1 076.

Eastern Cape to be grilled over coronavirus response

The Democratic Alliance will host a virtual press conference to unpack the Eastern Cape Health Department’s woeful response to the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping through the province. The press conference will be led by DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader Nqaba Bhanga and DA Shadow Minister of Health Siviwe Gwarube. 

Steps to save tourism to be unveiled

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Tourism, and the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment. and Labour will be briefed by the Minister of Tourism on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Tourism Industry, and the mitigating measures initiated by the department. 

Lindiwe Sisulu facing legal storm

Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu may be in for a tough week, after it was claimed that two high-profile officials are ready to reveal all about the bad behaviour involving some members of her advisory boards – and one particularly unruly aide. Criminal charges may also be opened against the department.

• Both whistleblowers note the same serious allegations of political interference within the board, by a top ministerial aide closely linked to Sisulu.
• The aide has, allegedly, served in previous ministries headed by Lindiwe Sisulu, and now occupies a senior position on yet another Ministerial Advisory Committee.
• The claims relate to allegations of egregious impropriety on the part of the Minister’s Advisor in relation to emergency procurement processes and tenders.
• These allegations are focused on “sand water extraction” tenders during periods of disaster – relating to both the drought and this current global health crisis.

It’s back to work – if businesses comply

Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi addressed the media on Sunday afternoon. He made it very clear, in uncompromising terms, that businesses have to treat any potential reopening protocols with kid gloves. A list of directives were shared, explaining everything management must implement to keep workers safe from the threat of this health crisis. Those interventions include the following:

• Workplaces must notify workers of how new regulations will be undertaken.
• Businesses must grant paid sick leave to employees showing symptoms of this killer disease.
• A representative of the workers must be assigned to relay concerns to management and educate employees on illness prevention.
• Workers must be given an avenue to communicate concerns, risks, and possible infections to the employee.
• All workspaces must be well-sanitised, and well ventilated.
• Employees must be given at least two washable cloth masks and other industry-specific PPE.
• Employers must notify the Health Department about any new cases of the disease, and minimise the number of workers on site.
• All staff must be 1.5 metres apart from each other.
• Employees must be screened for fever, cough, sore throat, redness of eyes, loss of smell, body aches, and tiredness.
• Management must provide sufficient quantities of sanitiser with 70% alcohol in them.
• Finally, common areas and shared equipment must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Golfers arrested for breaching lockdown laws

The South African Police Service has announced the arrest of six Newcastle residents caught playing golf on. Umesh Karsan, Ronnell Singh, Pradeep Singh, Vinod Karsan, Sanjay Singh and Shaun Pillay were caught on the Newcastle Golf Club course and detained until they appeared in court. To make matters worse, they were apprehended before the relaxation of lockdown regulations allowed an exercise window.

Sporting activities like golf or tennis remain banned under level four of lockdown unless played at home on private facilities. Under level four lockdown, South Africans are able to exercise outdoors within a 5km radius of their home. Organised amateur sports have also been forced to cease activity during the lockdown.

PSL await clearance before any potential return

The return of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) will depend upon clearance from both the South African Football Association and the department of health. Safa will also need to sign off on any return to play. In Europe some leagues have been cancelled while others are advancing return-to-play strategies in the hope of getting clearance to play.

The league has had a meeting with Mkhize over the possibility of allowing football to return but would not reveal how those discussions have progressed. The PSL’s senior communications manager Luxolo September referred all questions regarding the possible annulment of the season to Safa.

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, MONDAY MAY 4

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 4 May.