South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Saturday 24 July 2021

We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Saturday 24 July 2021.

These family meetings are becoming a regular thing these days, and we’re expecting another one tomorrow Sunday 25 July 2021. For the fourth time in two weeks, President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the country.

After news broke that the country had passed the peak of the third wave, we are expecting the government to relax adjusted lockdown Level 4 restrictions. Could it be a move back to Level 3 where alcohol is permitted again, and will the curfew be relaxed? Maybe, however, a number of provinces in South Africa are experiencing their peak which may still worry authorities. With schools reopening on Monday 26 July, some provinces like KZN may struggle to be ready in time. The National Coronavirus Command Council is expected to meet this weekend to finalise our next step in fighting the pandemic.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Saturday 24 July

COVID-19: ‘We have passed the peak of the third wave,’ says Kubayi-Ngubane

South Africa has seen the worst of its third wave of coronavirus infections, according to Acting Minister of Health Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane. The acting minister and deputy, Dr Joe Phaala, briefed the nation on Friday, 23 July, on the government’s response to COVID-19.

The latest government briefing on the COVID-19 crisis was bittersweet. Kubayi-Ngubane said that it appears that the worst of South Africa’s third wave of infections has passed and cases are declining, however, she also added that 47 500 potentially lifesaving vaccines were lost and120 pharmacies were damaged during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

“All indications are that we have passed the peak of the third wave and the overall number of cases have started to decline,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.

Ramaphosa to address the nation this Sunday, here’s where to watch

The Presidency has confirmed on Friday that President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday 25 July before the extended Level 4 Lockdown measures reach their expiry date at midnight. It has been widely speculated that Ramaphosa will extend the lockdown in one way or another, with COVID-19 infections remaining concerningly high.

Schools are set to return on Monday 26 July, and other sectors of South Africa’s economy – including the alcohol industry – are hoping that Ramaphosa will further adjust regulations in the interest of opening up the country’s ailing economy.

The Presidency is yet to announce the exact time of the latest “family meeting”, but a live stream will be available for you to watch the speech below on Sunday evening.

Taxi violence: Mitchell closes route that is ‘the main cause of conflict’ for two months

The MEC of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape, Daylin Mitchell, announced the closure of Taxi Route B97 between Mbekweni, Paarl and Bellville for a period of two months on Friday, 23 July.

 The route in question is the main cause of the conflict between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Congress for Democratic Taxi Associations (CODETA). Mitchell warned that he would close certain routes and taxi ranks if the parties could not find a lasting resolution to their dispute.

Mitchell said he decided to close Route 97, as it is currently the main cause of the taxi violence experienced in Cape Town as both CATA and CODETA claim they have the right to operate on the route.

“Despite ongoing attempts to assist the two associations to find a lasting solution, they have yet to do so,” said the MEC.

The closure will come into effect on Monday, 26 July and will remain in place for a period of two months.

Police officer killed in shooting with CIT robbers – two robbers shot dead, 19 others arrested

A police officer was killed in a shooting with Cash in Transit (CIT) robbers on Friday in Brakpan. Two robbers were also killed in the gunfire exchange, while 19 others with explosives and firearms were arrested.

Colonel Brenda Muridili, police spokesperson, said just after 07:30 on Friday, authorities executed an operational plan based on information received from Crime Intelligence.

The information led a multi-disciplinary team of officers to a safe house in Dalpark, Brakpan in Gauteng where the team confronted a group of suspects allegedly conspiring to commit a cash-in-transit robbery.

Bungee-jumping date turns fatal: Woman plunges to her death

A date between a 25-year-old woman and her boyfriend went horribly wrong this week in Colombia, following what authorities claim was a “communication mishap” during a bungee-jumping trip. According to El Tiempo, the woman, Yecenia Morales, jumped off a bridge without a fastened cord.

Here’s what happened: Yecenia Morales, a first-time jumper and her boyfriend, who has not been named, had travelled to a well-known bungee spot on Sunday afternoon, in Northern Colombia, as part of an excursion. The couple was apparently the 90th jumpers of the day when they approached the platform.

Operators then signalled Morales’ boyfriend, who was ahead of her in the queue, to jump. But the woman thought the cue was meant for her, and took the plunge, plummeting about 164 feet down. She reportedly died from a heart attack mid-air.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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