South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 12 June

Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South Africa; be sure to review all major headlines on Friday 12 June.

As South Africa’s coronavirus testing strategy surpasses the million mark, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize raises serious concerns around the Eastern Cape’s medical preparedness. Meanwhile, the Department of Basic reflects on the highs and lows of the first week back at school.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 12 JUNE

Coronavirus tests pass one million as backlog grows

It’s been just over three months since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in South Africa. Since then, the local outbreak has followed global trends by spreading rapidly to all corners of the country without prejudice, leaving in its wake a trail of illness, death and anxiety. Amid a stringent national lockdown, government was able to intensify its testing and tracing efforts in an attempt to curb the virus’ pervasive sweep.

As confirmed cases rise to 58 568, Health Minister Mkhize praised the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) for processing over a million tests.

Despite processing almost 30 000 tests a day — the highest daily amount on record — the NHLS is still struggling to clear a persistent backlog of 63 000 outstanding samples. Dr Kamy Chetty, Chief Executive Officer of the NHLS, confirmed that progress was being hampered by an international shortage of testing kits.

Eastern Cape the ‘next epicentre’

Minister Mkhize, who continues his oversight visit in the Eastern Cape today, has noted serious concerns with the province’s preparedness. In addition to the growing number of infections among healthcare workers, Mkhize said that movement between the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape had severely complicated testing and tracing strategies.

While visiting the High Care Unit in Butterworth Hospital on Thursday, Mkhize said that infections in the Eastern Cape had the potential to match the trajectory of the Western Cape’s curve if cluster outbreaks could not be contained. Mkhize said:

“The numbers in the Eastern Cape are rising, whilst we know the numbers are increasing we’d like them to increase at a slower rate. The risk now is as we are moving to the lower levels, the cluster outbreaks are going to increase.”

Mkhize added that while the provincial health department had embarked on the right path to combat the spread of COVID-19, the speed of the Eastern Cape’s medical response needed to be increased.

South Africa’s new political future

The Electoral Commission has noted the judgment of the Constitutional Court declaring parts of the Electoral Act unconstitutional.

The highest court in the land on Thursday ruled that the act was unconstitutional in requiring that only candidates of political parties contest national and provincial elections.

“The Electoral Commission welcomes the clarity the court has provided to the interpretation of the rights of citizens to stand for public office. We will study the judgment in detail to reflect on its full implications for the current electoral system and legislative framework governing national and provincial elections,” said Commission Chairperson, Glen Mashinini.

The commission said the timing of this judgment, and the Parliamentary review of the electoral system it prompts, is opportune given both the maturing of South Africa’s democracy and the looming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on election processes around the world.

The court has provided Parliament with 24 months to revise the legislation and the Electoral Commission stands ready to provide technical assistance into this process to help enhance the country’s electoral system. (Source: SAnews)

Schools impacted by COVID-19

The reopening of schools following months of lockdown-induced dormancy has been met with mixed results. A number of Grade 7 and 12 learners who returned to class on Monday 8 June have had their learning delayed by COVID-19 infections and a lack of adequate sanitation.

In the Western Cape, which infamously defied the Department of Basic Educations’ revised directives by opening on 1 June, at least 98 teachers have tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the closure of 26 schools.

In Gauteng, 38 schools have been forced to close after registering infections. Classrooms are expected to reopen after fumigation.

Local education departments have forced other schools to close as a result of improper sanitisation schemes which include a lack of running water and functioning ablution facilities.

Mbalula looks to mitigate taxi shut downs, fare increases

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has slammed taxi associations for wanting to raise fares to unaffordable levels in an attempt to recoup revenue lost due to lockdown and stringent capacity limitations. Associations in Gauteng have threatened to raise fares by over 200% while others have threatened to embark on a shutdown should government fail to provide urgent financial relief.

Mbalula claimed that government had committed to providing the taxi industry with financial assistance and that details of the unique relief programme would be delivered in due course.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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