With the country moving to alert level 2 at midnight, President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned South Africans against letting their guard down by not observing COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
South Africa marked eight years since the Marikana tragedy on Sunday, with government acknowledging that much more can be done to uplift the lives of those living in Marikana and other communities across the country.
Death caused by COVID-19 has risen by 162, with the Eastern Cape recording 70 fatalities on Sunday.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has expressed shock at the grisly discovery of decomposed bodies of women in Mtwalume, KwaZulu-Natal, in recent weeks.
From next Tuesday, all restrictions on interprovincial travel will be lifted, while the sale of tobacco products and alcohol will resume.
While South Africa will move to alert level 2 of the national lockdown at midnight on 17 August 2020, current restrictions such as international travel will remain in place to minimise the spread of Coronavirus.
My fellow South Africans,
It has been five months since we declared a national state of disaster to combat to the coronavirus pandemic.
As I said then, and as I repeat now, never before in the history of our democracy has our country been confronted with such a severe threat – a situation that has demanded an extraordinary response and much sacrifice.
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has expressed cautious optimism as the country’s COVID-19 cases take a dip and government bolsters efforts to prevent further transmission of the deadly virus.
Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has condemned the recent spate of illegal occupation of private properties, including land and housing units in various parts of the country.
South Africa’s initial COVID-19 lockdown saw gender-based violence and sexual crimes dramatically decrease during levels 5 and 4.
