South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 31 July

Friday, and the end of another month in lockdown, is once again upon us, and you can see off the week with the latest news in South Africa right here, where we review the major headlines to look out for on 31 July.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 31 JULY 

Gauteng PPE scandal  

The Gauteng province finds itself engulfed in a personal protective equipment (PPE) scandal in which the husband of presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko, AmaBhaca King Madzikane II, has been accused of massively inflating the prices of PPE equipment, selling it on to government and pocketing the profits.

A report by the Sunday Independent revealed that Diko’s company, Royal Bhaca Projects, was awarded R125 million in tenders by the Gauteng Department of Health in March 2020, when the country was officially placed under lockdown.

With more and more high profile members of the ANC government becoming implicated in the scandal, we can expect plenty more during the course of the day.

Tourism sector reacts to lifting of intra-provincial travel restrictions

On Thursday 30 July, Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced changes to Level 3 restrictions, including the extension of the curfew from 21:00 to 22:00 and the permission of intra-provincial leisure travel. Both of these amendments mean relief for the restaurant and tourism sector, although many, including the Democratic Alliance, have said that the changes indicate a lack of understanding of the sector by Cabinet.

South Africans can now move around more freely for leisure travel now though, and we can expect reaction from the sector, which is one of the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petrol price  

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the petrol price dropped through the floor as demand hit rock-bottom. With worldwide hard lockdowns crippling the global economy, fuel couldn’t be shifted. But during the last few months, businesses – particularly the oil industry – made a roaring comeback.

Now, South Africa is set to face another massive petrol prie hike in August, and with industry and the economy already battling to stay ahead of mounting costs, it remains to be seen how the latest setback to the household, and the national economy, will play out.

COVID-19 latest news in South Africa

As the country moves into the fifth month of lockdown, we can expect some updates from health departments in various provinces, where responses to the COVID-pandemic are beginning to vary significantly.

The number of deaths being reported daily appears to have reached something of a plateau, with new cases having been reported on Thursday 30 July. Gauteng remains the country’s new epicentre, and amidst political pandemonium, provincial government will need to maintain focus to control the spread of the virus.

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Friday 31 JULY

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 Friday 31 July.