South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 12 May

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by reviewing all major headlines on Tuesday 12 May.

As the nation awaits word from President Cyril Ramaphosa concerning the prospect of lighter lockdown regulations, the Department of Basic Education rushes to redraw an amended 2020 school calendar following delays in health and safety protocols.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday 12 MAY

Back to school delayed, Motshekga mulls contingency plan

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is locked in vital consultations with various stakeholders in the education sector. These urgent discussions come at a time when Motshekga’s original proposal, which would see School Management Teams return to institutions on 11 May, has fallen by the wayside following criticism from unions.

Following calls from the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) for a nationwide stay away, provincial departments told principals and their teams not to return to schools. Sadtu has bemoaned the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) afforded to educators while regional departments say the sanitation of local institutions has not yet reached standards held by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC).

It seems likely that the department’s proposal to have Grade 7 and 12 learners return to class on 1 June will be revised as a result of the ongoing delays.

Restless citizens call for Level 3 lockdown

South Africans are calling for clarity from President Ramaphosa and the National Command Council after feeling ‘left in the lurch’ since government’s last official notice regarding the risk-adjusted lockdown strategy.

As the country’s socioeconomic problems continue to mount under the strain of lockdown, the calls from civil societies, political parties and, according to government sources, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) itself, to lighten lockdown has grown louder.

A glimmer of hope was recently offered by Police Minister Bheki Cele who insinuated that government was actively discussing the move to Level 3 and the contingency plans associated with such a move.

As of yet, President Ramaphosa has not offered a timeline regarding a shift to Level 3 lockdown.

Beer trucks to travel with police escorts

After already having to dump thousands of litres of beer over the weekend, SA Breweries (SAB) has reached an agreement with government which would allow for the transportation of alcohol to its depots, thereby avoiding any further wastage.

With SAB’s breweries at full capacity, the restriction on transportation has threatened thousands of jobs. Luckily, further disaster has been averted by the recent agreement which will see SAB trucks allowed to transport liquor to its depots under tight police guard.

Netcare’s St Augustine’s, Kingsway Hospitals reopen

The Portfolio Committee on Health has welcomed the reopening of Netcare St Augustine’s and Netcare Kingsway private hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.

The two hospitals were closed last month when four people died at St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban and 47 staff members tested positive due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Kingsway Hospital in Amanzimtoti was also closed after 10 staff members tested positive for COVID-19 after exposure at the hospital was traced to a patient.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said that the executive management of the Department of Health has considered the discussions and reports submitted by Netcare Limited. (Source: SAnews)

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