The last Friday of Level 2 is upon us, and we’ve got all the latest news in South Africa right here. There’s plenty of housekeeping to get done before we move to Level 1, though.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 18 September
Final weekend of Level 2, what changes on Monday
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday evening that South Africa will be moving to Alert Level 1 of the nationwide lockdown at midnight on Sunday 20 September. That means that this is last weekend South Africans will be forced to live under laws restricting international travel, movement after 22:00, and gathering limits are set to extend.
Other changes include the addition of Fridays for permissible trade of alcohol, and gyms and theatres are allowed to accommodate 50% of all seating options
Here’s a full list of changes to get excited about:
- A maximum of 250 people can attend indoor gatherings, with up to 500 allowed at outdoor gatherings.
- No venue or facility can host more than 50% of its capacity.
- Gyms and theatres are allowed to accommodate 50% of all seating options.
- Restrictions on crowds at sporting events remain in place.
- International travel will be allowed from 1 October – but that’s subject to several caveats (you can read about them here).
- Curfew hours have changed to 00:00 – 4:00.
- You now have an extra day to buy alcohol from the liquor store: Retailers will open from Monday – Friday
- More details will be published on these changes in due course.
Fairview horse slaughter inquest continues
Following the despicable actions of a mob of grooms from the Fairview Racecourse in Port Elizabeth, in which they aired their grievances with management by slaughtering a horse and injuring others on Thursday, further inquest is set to take place.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) have indicated that they will lay charges against those responsible for the heinous acts, with police having already opened a case against members of the 200-strong group that stormed the racecourse and released 28 horses, with one killed by men wielding pangas. Many of the horses are receiving medical treatment having been rounded up amidst scenes of utter chaos on Thursday.
MEC Gomba to appear before Special Tribunal over controversial scooters
Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba will appear before a Special Tribunal who are curious about her role in the procurement of the widely ridiculed R10 million scooter project in her province on Friday.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has alleged that the contract was “awarded in an unusual and unexplained haste”, and Gomba’s role in the awarding of the tender to a King Williams Town company led to concerns over suspected corruption, with many calling for the provincial health department to be placed under administration.
Superintendent General Thobile Mbengashe and the department’s Chief Financial Officer will oversee proceedings at the tribunal on Friday.
Andile Lungisa wakes up in prison
Andile Lungisa has spent his first night back behind bars, after having been damned to complete the remaining two years of his three year sentence. A letter to the Constitutional Court begging them not to send him back was dismissed and widely ridiculed, with Lungisa saying that he simply “is not suited to life in prison”.
He didn’t walk back to the big house kicking and screaming – he was flanked with supporters as he marched the long walk to North End Prison, and used the opportunity to once again proclaim his innocence.
“I’ve never lifted a hand to anyone in my life. I go to council to debate. I was defending myself and tried to run away. Similarly, I will not break any law in prison.”
We can expect more reaction to the ANC stalwart’s imprisonment on Friday.
LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Friday 18 September
Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.
LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN
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Read the original article on The South African
