With over 75 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Gauteng has overtaken the Western Cape as the epicenter, with the highest number of infections, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize said.
As of Wednesday, the number of infections grew by 8 810 bringing it to 224 665, confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in South Africa.
Unfortunately, 100 more people succumbed to COVID-19 related deaths.
Of the new additional fatalities, 47 were from Western Cape, 18 from the Eastern Cape, 15 from Mpumalanga, 18 from KwaZulu-Natal and 2 from Limpopo, which brings the death toll to 3 602.
“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and thank the health care workers who treated the deceased” the Minister said.
SA’s Covid-19 death toll rises to 3 971
As of Saturday, 13 497 new cases bring the country’s total number of corona virus cases to 264 184.
There have been a further 111 deaths:
4 from the Northern Cape
13 from KwaZulu-Natal
26 from Gauteng
30 from the Eastern Cape
38 from Western Cape
This brings the country’s death toll to 3 971.
The number of recoveries is 127 715, which translates to a recovery rate of 48,4%.
There was a hostage situation early on Saturday morning. Police had to call army backup. It’s a power fight within the church. Forty people have been arrested in connection with the attack, including members of the South African Police Service, National Defense Force, Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the Department of Correctional Services.
Leadership of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg, has called on courts to play their part in ensuring that the leadership battle in the church is resolved.
Five people were killed at the church, earlier on Saturday when about 50 people stormed the building and held church members hostage.
The church, one of the biggest in Southern Africa, has about three million members.
It is alleged that the gunmen are from a faction, led by Michael Sandlana, who has been in disputes with the current church leadership since 2016.
Blood stains could be seen at the main entrance of the church. A large white sign indicating that guns and other weapons are restricted from the church premises is clearly visible at the gate. The church gate was vandalised and its iconic star is hanging.
A church member, who also serves as a security Marshall, who witnessed the incident, says, “Around after 12, we heard gunshots from the outside. We were inside. I’m a security Marshall. I ran towards the gate. When I got to the gate I saw cars parked. In my mind, I thought of alerting others that we were under siege. I ran with the siren speaker to the Whitehouse to alert security. Within seconds, I saw over 10 gunmen. I ran and never looked back.”
Spokesperson of the church, Abie Wesie says the leadership battle is out of control at the church.
“All we want is that the law must take its course and bring these perpetrators to book. But over and above is the leadership battle that is before the court … the court must speed up the process so that this leadership battle can be finalised. There will be a court order that will prevent such things from happening.”
Leadership battle
Six of those arrested are under police guard in hospital, where they are being treated for gunshot wounds. The church has been going through a leadership battle since 2016 over who should replace the church’s late founder, Fredrick Modise.
Some of the recovered weapons during the raid. There have been 41 arrests so far.
The Department of International Relations on Monday confirmed the death of the daughter of late struggle icon, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela early yesterday.
The 59-year-old was a political activist and was among those who fought during the oppressive apartheid regime. Mandela, who died at a Johannesburg Hospital, is survived by her four children and her husband.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening and his message was clear. It is up to everyone to collectively fight the spread of the corona virus.
To conserve hospital capacity and to ensure there are enough beds available, it has been decided that alcohol sales, distribution and consumption will be suspended immediately. There is also a new curfew (from Monday 13 July) between 21:00 p.m and 04:00 a.m., except for emergencies.
Earlier on, it was communicated that services at the Steve Tshwete Municipal building in Middleburg will be temporarily suspended due to Covid-19 confirmed cases. The building has been fully decontaminated and rendered safe for use by both Officials and Residents. All services will therefore be fully rendered tomorrow, 13 July 2020 from 07:30-16:30.
Yours sincerely Municipal Manager Bheki Khenisa 12 July 2020
Residents are hereby informed that three COVID-19 cases at the Steve Tshwete Municipal building in Middelburg have been confirmed. To this effect, services rendered at the Civic Centre are temporarily suspended until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience. For enquiries contact Ms L Kgomo on 079 719 7172 or email leratok@stlm.gov.za.
Yours sincerely Acting Municipal Manager David Mogofe
The Middelburg Police Station is closed for decontamination after a member tested positive, yesterday July 8th. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, told members of the media that the Community Service Centre will now operate from the Police Station Finance Office in Beyers Naude Street. The telephone lines at the Police Station are also not accessible at this time. Members of the community are advised to use the following numbers for emergencies and complaints: 013 247 7000 – 013 249 1685 – 013 249 1688. Acting Visible Policing Head, Lt. Col. Joseph Maphila can be reached on 082 462 2315.The Herald was informed that the police station will be reopened on Sunday 12 July.
With Covid-19 affecting the whole world, we are glad to
invite you to come and play golf with us. Golf has various benefits that you
should consider for yourself. Social distancing – no problem, physical
exercise, golf Improves respiratory function and it is good for your mind as it
reduces Stress and Anxiety. This is a sport for everyone. Golf can be played
from the age of 3. It is easy to learn and Impossible to Master. The sport is
fun for kid’s and has a low low-risk injury sport. But best of all it provides
opportunity.
Several of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce &
Industry’s (MCCI) Executive members studied the municipal budget. They compared
the budget line item by line item against the previous year’s budget, and MCC
submitted their comments to the Municipal Manager. Briefly, their comments
were: STLM was budgeting for an increase in profit (surplus) of 8.7%. Increase
in service charges and rates of between 6% and 11.1%, which was significantly
higher than the inflation rate of 5-6%.
Taking into account the ESKOM and NERSA electricity price hikes, a 28%
mark-up on bulk purchases seems excessive and will put further strain on the
manufacturing industry. Employee costs have risen by 6.8% and R40M, and councilor
costs have remained constant but are still regarded as very high at a
tremendous R24M of the operational expenditure. It should also be noted that
there were “Other” or unallocated expenses planned of R26M. CAPEX contributes a
further R465M in expenses over and above operating expense and a 6% expense on
the current R7.6bn infrastructure. Although the CAPEX was allocated to various
departments, the projects were not identified against which the CAPEX would be
allocated. Many businesses could not operate during the Lockdown and sent
letters requesting payment of Property Tax deferment for a period. Tenants did not pay landlords, which in turn
had to find funds to pay Property Taxes.
Several jobs in the Tourism Industry have already been lost. We have requested during several meetings and
discussions with STLM officials that they need to be aware that the business
environment has changed drastically. The residents of STLM are used to our
municipality earning rewards. A well run
and strong municipality is the bedrock of a strong local economy.
A member of the ‘Beveg Misaad Groep’ along with his neighbors fearlessly approached and apprehended two alleged criminals stealing and vandalizing a house on Walter Sisulu street yesterday afternoon. These brave community members were finally fed up of watching criminals helping themselves to other people`s property. The two men were caught stripping and stealing window frames as well as roofing material form an old building. It is also alleged that the same criminals have been breaking into the houses near the old unoccupied building. Herculaas Taljaard from the ‘Beveg Misaad Groep’ said that the police were called to the scene and took the suspects into custody, but then later let them go because the owner of the property was not available to press charges so they could not do anything. The community of Middelburg is fed up with the level of crime in the area and to add insult to injury the police allegedly released the criminals who were caught in the act.
