South Africa

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has vowed to leave no stone unturned to fight fraud on social grants system.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says severe thunderstorms are expected over parts of Gauteng province this afternoon.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging African countries to be on high alert for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases.  

This comes as nearly 20 countries in the region experienced an uptick in cases since early October after reporting a downward trend, then a plateau.

“Unlike the first wave of cases which was triggered by hotspots in Southern Africa, the latest increase is driven by the North African region, where temperatures are beginning to fall,” said WHO.

South Africa’s efforts to attract much-needed investment continue to bear fruit even at a time when the world has been turned on its head due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has welcomed the Constitutional Court judgment that has favoured the compensation of domestic workers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Tsakani Maluleke as Auditor-General of South Africa for a non-renewable term of seven years with effect from 1 December 2020.

The Western Cape government is closely monitoring events like Matric Rage, traditionally held on the Garden Route, as the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to peak in the region.  

Premier Alan Winde said the province is worried about the rising number of infections, hospitalisations, with deaths now starting to show early signs of an increase.

According to Winde, cases have increased especially in George, Knysna, Thembalethu, Plettenberg Bay, Pacaltsdorp and Mossel Bay.

The Hawks Serious Corruption Offences team has arrested nine suspects on multiple charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering exceeding R56.4 million actual loss, of a potential R200 million.

The number of detected COVID-19 cases has risen to 759 658 after 2 514 infections were reported by the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Thursday.

A further 115 people succumbed to the novel Coronavirus, which pushes the death toll to 20 671 since the outbreak.

The Eastern Cape logged the highest number of additional deaths at 43, followed by the Free State and Gauteng recording 23 fatalities each, while the Western Cape had 15 deaths.  

Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule, has received one of 240 locally assembled engines and gearboxes, valued at R7.8 million, from the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA).