South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 6 May

Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South Africa; review a wrap of major headlines on Wednesday 6 May.

As South Africa’s healthcare system bolsters its capacity to deal with the coronavirus’ inevitable spike, uncertainty regarding the relaxation of lockdown levels presents births enormous commercial concerns. Despite facing a flurry of legal challenges and public dissent, President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to support all government initiatives in the ‘interest of people’s health’.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 6 MAY

Big businesses crack under lockdown pressure

While small businesses struggle to stay afloat amid the lockdown-induced financial downturn, large corporations, with shareholder support, have been unable to escape economic doom. Joining a long list of big businesses which have recently been forced to close their doors, Comair, which operates Kulula airlines, has voluntarily entered business rescue administration in a last-ditch effort to return to the skies post-lockdown.

Last week, Comair elaborated on its dire financial operation, noting that its fleet of aircraft would likely remain grounded, as a result of the risk-adjusted lockdown strategy, until at least October 2020.

According to a recent study conducted by Statistics South Africa, over 40% of businesses are unlikely to survive the extended lockdown programme after running out of financial resources. In an attempt to stave off the jobs bloodbath, government continues to increase its capacity to deliver on the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

South Africa’s state of readiness

The state of readiness concerning South Africa’s healthcare response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was to be increased during the lockdown period in preparation for the virus’ peak, is showing steady progress.

On Tuesday, President Ramaphosa conducted site visits to various healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, praising Premier Sihle Zikalala’s proactive response in the province. Ramaphosa said:

“I’ve also been impressed on how they’re getting ready for the spike of infections that are going to happen from what the scientists and epidemiologists tell us, setting up of hospitals, centres that have been put up and the number of beds that have been prepared.”

Commuters in transit afforded curfew reprieve

While the lockdown’s curfew, between 20:00 and 06:00 requires almost all citizens to remain indoors, certain commuters have been afforded an exemption. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has amended regulations pertaining to the Disaster Management Act as follows:

“Interprovincial travel buses, taxis and private vehicles are permitted and may continue to complete their journey even during the declared curfew times.”

Lockdown postpones by-elections

As the pandemic continues to plague the entire nation, the Electoral Court has since been forced to postpone the by-elections that were set for June due to COVID-19.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Electoral Commission said it welcomed the decision and that it will revise the by-elections timetable accordingly.

“The Electoral Court today granted the application of the Electoral Commission to postpone the by-elections scheduled for 3 and 10 June along with associated activities including voter registration,” the statement read.

By-elections take place within 90 days after a municipal ward council seat becomes vacant due to death, expulsion or resignation of a ward councillor.

Therefore, the court ruled that the by-elections could be held beyond the 90-day legislated period for the filling of councillor vacancies but not beyond 120 days from the date of the order. (Source: SAnews)

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