South Africa

Government is leaving nothing to chance, with the number of COVID-19 infection cases expected to increase, as millions of people return to work on Monday under level 3 lockdown.

After at least eight years as the acting Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System, Phumla Williams has now been given the nod by Cabinet to officially take over the reins at the GCIS.

Distressed small businesses in the North West province are invited to send applications for the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Religious leaders can now offer counselling to members of society, who are distressed or need comfort during these trying times.

Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday announced that the National School of Government (NSG) will reopen for limited contact training on 1 June 2020.

Progress continues to be made in the payment of the R350 Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant aimed at supporting the unemployed during the lockdown.

South Africa has recorded a total number of 27 403 confirmed COVID-19 cases, as at 28 May 2020.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed cohorts of engineering teams to build bridges and purify water in remote and destitute communities, as the country continues to contain the spread of COVID-19.

There is a correlation between the high number of arrests and the provinces with the highest infection rates, Police Minister Bheki Cele has revealed.

With just four days to go until South Africa moves to alert level 3 of lockdown, government is shifting to rebuild the economy which suffered a massive blow as a result of the lockdown.

Government has adopted zero tolerance on COVID-19 related corruption and has vowed to bring any lawbreakers to book.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa supports the call of the African Union for a two-year debt standstill due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In preparation for the shift down to level 3 of the nationwide lockdown from 1 June, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has outlined the regulations that will be implemented as government further opens up various sectors of the economy.

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has entered into a partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to host a Deep Space Ground Station.

Cabinet has welcomed the outcome of consultations undertaken by President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure the country’s support and inputs of all social partners, as it progresses from Level 4 to Level 3 of the national lockdown.