South Africa's electoral body ready to help parliament revise electoral act

The Electoral Commission of South Africa on Thursday said it was ready to assist parliament with revising the country’s electoral system and legislation, following a landmark constitutional court... 

Cabinet to mull enhanced alert level 3 recommendations next week

Cabinet has received recommendations relating to alert level 3 of South Africa's lockdown and will decide on these next week after a briefing by ministerial health advisers on the coronavirus... 

Covid-19 patients can only return to work after 14-day isolation, medical exam – Govt

South Africa's employment and labour department on Thursday stressed that workers who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 could only return to their jobs after completing 14 days of self-isolation and... 

Cape Town dam levels dip to 54.6% of capacity

Water levels at dams supplying the Cape Town metropolitan area have decreased by 0.5 percent over the past week to  54.6 percent of total capacity, the city council said on Tuesday. In a statement,... 

EFF to sue govt over Collins Khosa killing, says Malema

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema on Monday said his party was instituting a court challenge to ensure that the South African government paid compensation for the killing of... 

Ramaphosa scolds Western Cape premier for Covid-19 response

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday ordered authorities in the Western Cape to prepare more hospital beds for Covid-19 patients and to alleviate social distress aggravated by the nationwide... 

Pupils will now return to school on June 8, says basic education department

Pupils will only return to school on June 8, the basic education department said on Sunday night. The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) met on Saturday to assess the state of readiness for... 

PRASA not ready to resume commuter operations under Covid-19 level 3, says Mbalula

While the Gautrain will resume its OR Tambo International Airport service when the coronavirus (Covid-19) level 3 regulations come into effect on June 1, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa... 

Phased reopening of air travel to start with main airports under Covid-19 regulations and directives

Commercial aircraft movement, subject to the coronavirus (Covid-19) level 3 lockdown regulations as of June 1, will start with OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International, King Shaka... 

Government declares 7 metros, 5 districts Covid-19 hotspots

Government has declared seven metros and five districts coronavirus hotspots where lockdown alert levels may be escalated and movement restricted after the country moves to level 3 on June 1,... 

SA's economic reopening while Covid-19 numbers rise is unique – Mkhize

South Africa found itself in the unique position of lifting lockdown restrictions as the national number of Covid-19 infections surged, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told the National Council of... 

SA schools make progress in getting ready to reopen on June 1 - education department

South African schools are making progress in preparations to reopen on June 1 after shutting down due to the Covid-19 outbreak, although some have not yet received their safety material, the... 

Engineers at SA's North West University develop kit to help schools screen for Covid-19

Engineers at South Africa's North West University have developed a testing kit they hope will help resolve the congestion likely to occur during screening for Covid-19 when schools resume classes... 

Gordhan and SAA business rescue practitioners trade barbs over rescue plan

 MPs on Friday heard from South African Airways's business rescue practitioners that a lack of funding severely hampered their work, while Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan questioned... 

Too little, too late says small business chamber on Ramaphosa's speech

The National Small Business Chamber said on Thursday that president Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that the country could move from a level 4 to level 3 Covid-19 lockdown by the end of May had come... 

South African trade conditions slump in April due to Covid-19 lockdown

Trading conditions in South Africa were badly affected during April by a lockdown aimed at limiting Covid-19 transmissions, with an index that tracks activity declining 11 points, a leading... 

Ramaphosa to address SA on Wednesday evening

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a televised address on Wednesday evening to update South Africans on the government's plans regarding the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown. "President Cyril... 

DA wants Mboweni to probe how SA Express used R1.2bn in bailouts

South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance party on Wednesday said it wanted Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to probe how State-owned airline SA Express used R1.2-billion it was given in... 

Mkhize salutes nurses who died of Covid-19 in International Nurses Day speech

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Tuesday dedicated this year’s International Nurses Day to the health practitioners who died in the ongoing arduous battle against the novel coronavirus.  “As a... 

SA's Covid-19 cases pass the 11 000 mark with biggest yet daily increase

The number of confirmed Covid-19 infections in South Africa have increased by 698 to 11 350 in the past day, the health ministry said on Tuesday. It is the highest daily increase of cases seen in... 

SAA failing to pay tax deducted from staff salaries to Sars

South African Airways has not paid over the income tax the company deducted from its employees to the South African Revenue Service and is therefore in breach of the bailout conditions imposed on... 

South African universities isolate SA’s first novel coronavirus lab culture

Collaborative efforts by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Stellenbosch University (SU) have yielded South Africa's first isolated novel coronavirus culture.  Dr Tasnim Suliman from UWC... 

Dangote Cement supports Cameroon's fight against Covid-19

Nigerian cement-manufacturing company Dangote has handed over personal protection equipment (PPE) kits worth 100-million CFA francs to Cameroon’s ministry of public health to support health-care... 

WHO lists three criteria before schools are reopened

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday, called on decision makers to reflect on a number of key factors when deciding on whether and how to reopen schools. "First, a clear understanding... 

Basic education department warns against premature reopening of schools

The department of basic education on Thursday warned against the premature reopening of schools across South Africa, amidst the Covid-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.  The department said it had... 

SA statistics agency to collect labour data telephonically due to Covid-19

Statistics South Africa said on Thursday it would collect second quarter data for its labour force survey over the phone, due to restrictions on face-to-face collections imposed by a nationwide... 

Air transport, tourism bodies appeal for urgent support to Africa's travel industry

Five international air transport and tourism bodies have launched an appeal to international financial institutions, country development partners and international donors to support Africa’s travel... 

Gordhan voices criticism of SAA business rescue effort

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday has told MPs every effort is being made to resolve the desperate situation surrounding South African Airways (SAA) and has suggested the... 

Eskom reports lost income of R2.5bn in April

Eskom's income has shrunk by about R2.5 billion in April as energy demand plummeted due to the country's national lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the power utility's CEO Andre de... 

Mboweni says he remains committed to 2019 blueprint for reform and growth

South Africa's finance minister Tito Mboweni on Tuesday told members of parliament he remained committed to the structural reforms mooted in a blueprint for economic growth released by the National... 

SA needs massive clean up campaign – Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday it was time for a massive clean up campaign throughout South Africa in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at Archie Gumede House in Mayville,... 

Mboweni calls for Covid-19 support for companies across race lines

Finance minister Tito Mboweni on Tuesday said companies affected by the Covid-19 crisis should receive support regardless of the race of their owners and hinted he was challenging minister of... 

SA takes joint first place in 2019 open budget survey

South Africa has once again come joint first with New Zealand in the 2019 Open Budget Index conducted by the International Budget Partnership through an Open Budget Survey. The win is in... 

Uganda's president expected to announce his decision on extending Covid-19 lockdown

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is expected to present a timeline on Monday to determine whether the coronavirus lockdown period should be extended or end on Tuesday. On his Twitter account... 

DA wants Patel to justify level 4 lockdown e-commerce restrictions

The Democratic Alliance said on Monday it was seeking justification from Trade and Industry minister Ebrahim Patel on restrictions to South Africa's e-commerce industry during the country's eased... 

S&P Global rating downgrade disappointing – SA government

South Africa's government said it was disappointed by S&P Global's decision to lower its long term foreign and local currency debt ratings further into non-investment grade to ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’... 

SA unions vow to work with government to save SAA, SA Express

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association said they had had constructive discussions with the government on ensuring the continued existence of... 

US donates protective masks to SANDF

The US embassy in South Africa, through its office of defence cooperation, on Tuesday said it had provided 12 400 protective masks to the South African National Defence Force’s military health... 

Tax Justice SA applauds Ramaphosa’s 'bold boost' for the economy

Tax Justice South Africa on Friday welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the easing of the current national coronavirus lockdown and the interventions to resuscitate South Africa’s... 

SAA left with choice between wind-down or liquidation, say business rescue practitioners

The business rescue practitioners (BRPs) appointed to implement a rescue plan for national carrier South African Airways (SAA) have announced on Thursday that without further government funding...