South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 20 December 2021

A lot can change overnight, but we’ll keep you in the know with the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Monday 20 December 2021.

Another family meeting, another change in regulations. We’re back to Level 3, and with it come more freedoms, like a later curfew and the sale of alcohol, among other things.

After a few good weeks where South Africa’s COVID-19 infection rate has declined somewhat or at the very least stabilised, Ramaphosa announced the relaxation of restrictions from adjusted Level 4 to adjusted Level 3 that will allow restaurants to serve alcohol again and bars to open. He also gave us an hour more to stay out.

Ramaphosa also announced more details of the government’s plan to step up its vaccine rollout. You’ll find all you need to know here …

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Monday 20 December

A good move? COVID relief grant set ‘to be extended’ in 2022

The COVID relief grant has been in place for well over a year now. It’s been extended once and now looks set to be extended again next year. With calls coming from inside parts of government for a Universal Basic Income, the COVID grant could soon become a permanent fixture.

Officially titled the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, it’s seen those South Africans who do not benefit from grants, have R350 in their pockets each month.

A new report from City Press claims that the COVID relief grant will be extended for another full year. This will reportedly be announced during Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s February budget speech. The publication reports that a Presidency official revealed that National Treasury has been told that it will have to find the money to continue the grant.

Omicron: After Gauteng, THREE MORE provinces ‘appear to have peaked’

The uncertainty around the fourth wave of COVID-19 in South Africa is far from over, as each region remains on its own individual trajectory. However, the latest data from outside of Gauteng now suggests that several other provinces will follow the lead of the world’s ‘Omicron hot-spot’ – as case growth elsewhere ALSO appears to be steadying.

As we head into our festive holidays, the situation could still change. But based on the numbers we have here, Gauteng no longer has a monopoly on the ‘optimism’ associated with the Omicron surge.

Cases exploded in GP around a month ago. Scientists quickly determined that a new variant was behind the sudden and sharp rise, and the eyes of the world were focused on South Africa’s most densely populated province.

With many fearing a COVID-19 crisis worse than our bleak, Delta-fuelled winter season, those concerns simply never materialised in Gauteng. It now looks like other provinces are set to follow suit.

COVID-19: SA reports 15 465 new confirmed cases, three more deaths

South Africa recorded 15 465 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has said on Sunday.

This brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 308 074. 

This increase of 15 465 new COVID-19 cases represents a 30% positivity rate. 

A further 3 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 90 348 to date.

“The cumulative number of recoveries is 3 010 074.” 

Human skeleton found in Sardinia on Sunday

 The human skeleton was found partially buried at the foot of a sand dune in Sardinia on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the partially buried skeleton was discovered by a person walking near the dunes on Sunday morning.

“According to police information, at about 10:50, the partially buried skeleton was discovered by a person walking near the dunes on Sunday morning.

“Police were alerted and confirmed that the skeleton may have been buried for a period of time. It was between 5 to 25cm in the sand.  There were no clothes or any other information that could assist police in any identification,” Naidu said.

She said the skeleton would be sent for forensics analysis to determine race, age, and sex. Police in Walmer has opened an inquiry.

ANC KZN: Zuma court ruling ‘riddled with lots of flaws’

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has entered the fray in former president Jacob Zuma’s latest legal battle to avoid going back to prison. The ANC in KZN takes issue with the North Gauteng High Court’s recent judgement nullifying the decision by former Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser to place Zuma on medical parole.

Judge Elias Matojane said Fraser had unlawfully mitigated the punishment imposed by the Constitutional Court and ordered Zuma return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

REMINDER: The highest court in the land sentenced Zuma to 15 months behind bars for contempt after he refused to oblige by a ruling by the same court, ordering him to appear before the State Capture Commission. Zuma started serving his time at the Estcourt Correctional Facility in July, but soon had to receive medical attention for an undisclosed ailment. It was then announced in September that Fraser had chosen to grant Zuma medical parole, despite a Medical Parole Advisory Board advising against that.

LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Monday 20 DECEMBER

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Monday 20 December.