South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 21 August

Stay informed and about to date with all the latest news in South Africa by reviewing the day’s major headlines on Friday 21 August.

As South Africa declares an early win over the coronavirus outbreak, with active cases plummeting and field hospitals closing, the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) pandemic has been reignited following the brutal murder of Asithandile “Kwasa” Zozo at the hands of her alleged boyfriend.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 21 AUGUST

Western Cape closes Convention centre field hospital

The Western Cape — which was once the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa, accounting for more than 60% of the country’s caseload — is closing a major quarantine and triage facility. The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) was converted into the “Hospital of Hope” in preparation for the virus’ peak and treated over 1 500 patients over the course of three months.

Resources dedicated to the facility, which held 850 beds, will be distributed to areas in greater need of healthcare provisions as the province experiences a drastic drop in cases. Today, the Western Cape accounts for only 17% of the national caseload.

Provincial Premier Alan Winde welcomed the recent move to lockdown Level 2 and the Western Cape’s successful approach to containing the coronavirus’ reach. Winde has urged residents to support local business as the economy attempts to recover grievous losses incurred during the restrictive lockdown period between April and July.

Western Cape Head of Health Keith Cloete noted that hospital beds in the province were 70% occupied with only 12% of those hospitalisations related to COVID-19.

Outrage over Zozo’s slaying swells

The killing of 19-year-old student and GBV activist, Asithandile “Kwasa” Zozo, has sent shockwaves through South Africa, reopening wounds of femicide which were inflicted during a particularly violent period in 2019. It’s alleged that Zozo was stabbed to death by her boyfriend when she attempted to end the relationship.

The brutal murder, which occurred in Dutywa in the Eastern Cape on Monday, has incensed community members who blame government for failing to curb the bloody swell of GBV.

Zozo’s boyfriend, who was arrested shortly after the murder, appeared in court on Thursday following an alleged suicide attempt. While the trial has been postponed, Eastern Cape Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana, said that the case against the suspect was watertight. Kinana pleaded with frustrated community members to be patient while the law took its course.

Zozo’s alleged killer is due back in court on 26 August.

Level 2 nightclub ban leads to reveller’s arrest

While many restrictions have been relaxed under Level 2 lockdown, nightclubs have been forced to remain shut for fear of curfew violations and inadequate social distancing practices. During a recent press briefing, Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane was quizzed on the topic nightclubs. Kubayi-Ngubane argued that while she was not the correct minister to provide official comment, she added that the logic behind nightclubs remaining closed centred around the 22:00 curfew and the fact that revelry was likely to begin beyond that time.

While government struggles to define the determination of nightclubs, beyond the curfew logic, partygoers in Jouberton, North West, were brazen enough to film their festivities and upload the footage to social media. The South African Police Service (SAPS) subsequently pounced on the venue. SAPS commented on the incident:

“The 54-year-old owner of the night club has been issued with a notice to appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s court on 28 August 2020.”

Nehawu ready to embark on mass protest action

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has announced its commitment to various forms of protest action intended to bring attention to the plight of healthcare workers who have faced severe strain during the coronavirus pandemic. The union’s general secretary Zola Saphetha confirmed that the multi-phased protest approach would begin with pickets on Monday 24 August.

Healthcare workers have been encouraged to picket during their lunch breaks. On 28 August, Nehawu has called for health workers to stay at home.

The strike is expected to climax in the first week of September should Health Minister Zweli Mkhize fail to address the union’s concerns. Chief among the union’s qualms is the lack of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) afforded to healthcare workers. Sapetha added:

“Workers are extremely angry at the poor pace of transformation and government’s inability to improve the lives of public servants including freezing their wage increases.”

Government launches platform to unpack taxi industry matters

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called on taxi operators, taxi drivers and civil society to engage government on a plan that will see the taxi industry as an integral part of the formal economy.

The Minister made these remarks on Thursday during the launch of the National Taxi Lekgotla Public Discourse platform, which is effectively a dialogue with industry and civil society on topical issues that require resolution.

“The National Taxi Lekgotla will be a platform where we will consolidate consensus on sustainable ways to formalise and regulate the industry. This will be underpinned by an economic empowerment model that must benefit every single taxi operator, and not just those in positions of leadership,” the Minister said.

He said the public discourse platform will provide an opportunity to stakeholders and civil society at large to contribute to the solutions that will place the country on a sustainable footing to deliver an industry of the future, able to sustain itself.

The Taxi Lekgotla Public Discourse is intended to create a platform for sustained momentum and public engagement towards the National Taxi Lekgotla, planned to take place at the end of October 2020. (Source: SAnews)

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Friday 21 AUGUST

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 21 August.