South Africa

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has approved essential travel for South Africans, who want to return to the countries where they are based.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has announced that the COVID-19 lockdown has detrimentally affected the release of the June Quarterly Bulletin and two statistical documents.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced a total number of 22 583 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa.

As South Africa commemorates Africa Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended governments on the continent for their swift and proactive response in implementing measures to flatten the Coronavirus curve.

As the continent marks the 57th Africa Day, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa - as African Union Chair - will lead the continent’s celebrations, which include a special virtual broadcast and the Africa Day Solidarity Concert for the COVID-19 Response Fund.

The Department of Small Business Development has unveiled the second-wave of financial relief schemes that are expected to come to the rescue of township and village cooperates adversely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will move to alert level 3 with effect from 1 June - with more sectors of the economy opening and the removal of a number of restrictions on the movement of people.

Final year students and those graduating in 2020 may return to campus under level 3 lockdown.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached the 20 000 mark, as the country's death toll increased by 28 to 397 on Friday.

With the Western Cape being the hardest hit province so far by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is reported that at least 19 police stations have had to be decontaminated again, says Police Minister Bheki Cele.

While crime in the country continued to remain low during the COVID-19 lockdown, reported cases began to increase after the country moved to level 4 at the beginning of May.

The Department of Labour and Employment says Gauteng had the highest number of beneficiaries who have been paid COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits.

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has appealed to South Africans to create a partnership that can work towards the protection and safety of persons with disabilities.

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) has approved payment worth R513 million for small businesses whose finances have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Driving Licensing Testing Centres, registering authorities, vehicle testing stations and driving schools will resume their services with effect from 1 June.