Newsbreak

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreparshad - The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has announced that it will allow the use of Ivermectin, but only in controlled compassionate circumstances to treat COVID-19 cases. SAHPRA says it will facilitate an access programme for the drug, widely used in the treatment of parasites in animals. Meanwhile, medical expert Dr. Naseeba Kat...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has dismissed claims that the R350 COVID-19 relief grant will continue beyond the end of January - as was falsely stated on social media. KwaZulu-Natal SASSA spokesperson, Sandy Godlwana, says as it stands the grant will end come January 31st and will not be renewed. Godlwana says there will be no new payments...

By Newsbreak Producers Taresh Harreeparshad and Hoosen Ebrahim - President Cyril Ramaphosa may have announced a 1.2 billion rand Tourism Equity Fund but what does it mean for local tour operators on the ground? Many say they have not even received financial support as promised since the start of the pandemic. Reacting to the mega-money equity fund is local travel agent Nazir Malek...

By Newsbreak Producer Chatsworth community activist Brandon Pillay is being sworn in as a Member of Parliament at the National Assembly. Pillay- alongside four other members of the ANC - will now form part of the National Assembly. Pillay has for several years served the community of Bayview- specifically the Bayview Flats Residents Association and the Bayview Community Policing Forum. He was also...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The Kruger National Park is assessing the damage caused by the recent heavy downpours in the area. This comes following a report that animals may seek higher grounds to escape the floods and overflowing rivers. Due to the effects of the tropical storm "Eloise" many roads and parks within the area have become flooded and in-accessible. The park was also forced...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Considering the scores people who are going hungry during the pandemic, the Shri Mariammen Temple at Mount Edgecombe, north of Durban, together with key role players will be distributing free meals via a drive-through at the temple tomorrow. This as Kavady is being observed by the Hindu community. Temple Manager, Alan Subramoney says although the temple does...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Barloworld Group Limited has decided on selling its motor retail unit to NMI Durban South Motors - for a whopping R1 billion. Barloworld say the move forms part of its shift to an industrial processing company. Its motor trading division operates numerous dealerships in South Africa, representing brands including VW, Audi, Ford, Toyota, Isuzu, Mazda and Merce...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) will host a media briefing today, addressing the raging debate over the use of Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19. Doctors and medical professionals been at loggerheads for the past few months regarding the use of the anti-parasitic drugs efficacy as a prophylactic and aid in recovery from the virus....

By Newsbreak Producer Salma Patel - The island country of Mauritius has launched its COVID-19 vaccination programme, giving priority to front-line workers. These include health care professionals and employees within the tourism industry, senior citizens and those with underlying medical conditions. 50,000 front liners are being considered for the vaccination campaign with 50% of them being in the...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The skeletal remains of an unidentified person has been discovered along the N2 - in the vicinity of the Old Airport Road, in Isipingo, south of Durban. Spokesperson for local security company - PT Tactical - Dhevan Govindsamy, says the gruesome discovery was made by cleaners clearing out dense bushes in the area. Govindasamy says the men were traumatised by...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa has proved to be a catalyst for the country to get on the map with the western world - in terms of using online platforms for monetary gain. That is according to technology expert and CEO of the Loeries, Preetesh Sewraj. E-Commerce stores, drop-shipping and social media influencers are some of the main channels being used...

By Newsbreak South Asian Correspondent Rana Senn -India wheeled out its military hardware as it celebrated its 72nd Republic Day with a scaled down parade because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the HEALTH crisis failed to dampen spirits as capital Delhi resonated with music and a display of the cultural diversity that binds the nation of 1.3 billion people. Rana Senn reports...

By Newsbreak Producer's Tashlan Naidoo and Shanell Daniel - The liquor industry says that they are on the verge of collapse with billions of Rands in revenue being lost and thousands of jobs hanging in the balance. This due to the ban on alcohol trading during lockdown. The industry is urging government to reverse the ban in order for the sector to survive. The sale of liquor was banned for the th...

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the country will receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from India very soon. New Delhi has allowed the commercial export of vaccines and a shipment is expected to arrive any day now. India makes 60% of the world's vaccines and is home to several major manufacturers. Our India correspondent Neha Poonia has more...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The funeral services of anti-drug activist Sam Pillay and his wife Indrani will take place today. 64-year-old Pillay sadly passed away from COVID-19 related complications yesterday - just days after his wife. Pillay was known as a respected activist and was known for founding the South African Anti-Drug Forum in 2005. Over the years the ADF has helped rehabil...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - In a bid to help dismiss misinformation and fear surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee has taken part in the Johnson and Johnson trial in Johannesburg. Abramjee does not know if he has been given the actual vaccine or a placebo, but says he felt slight muscle pain the day after getting the jab. As part of the study, Abramjee say...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Senior Forecaster for the South African Weather Service, Puseletso Mofokeng, says the inclement weather conditions are expect to continue this week...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Disaster management teams are on the ground, assisting the most vulnerable communities as inclement weather conditions continue in parts of the country. According to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila, community halls are now being made available to the public in case there is a need to evacuate their homes in KwaZulu-N...

By Newsbreak's South Asian Reporter Rana Senn - Thousands of Indian farmers will stage a tractor rally in the capital after the Republic Day parade tomorrow. The approval came as the courts dismissed the government's petition to ban the event, which aims to highlight an ongoing protest against new laws to reform the country's vast agriculture sector. Rana Senn reports...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Director of the Anti-Drug forum SA at Chatsworth south of Durban - Sam Pillay, has passed away due to Covid-19 related complications this morning. His passing follows the death of his wife, Indrani, over the weekend. The couple's funerals will be conducted tomorrow from 8am at their family home in Chatworth before proceeding to the Clare Estate crematorium. 6...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The KwaZulu-Natal Funeral Directors Association says these allegations are untrue. According to the association, additional costs are incurred only if family members choose coffins that fall out of the insurance cover for the funeral. Member Koshik Maharaj says there has also been false information spreading - that funeral services are receiving financi...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The KwaZulu-Natal Funeral Directors Association says these allegations are untrue. According to the association, additional costs are incurred only if family members choose coffins that fall out of the insurance cover for the funeral. Member Koshik Maharaj says there has also been false information spreading - that funeral services are receiving financi...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Consumers remain perplexed about the cost of funerals for those who passed away from COVID-19 related complications. Newsbreak has received several complaints - with some saying they have had to fork out up to ten thousand rand for funerals- despite having existing policies in place. Rene Moodley from Chatsworth, south of Durban shared his story with us...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - A Durban doctor has conducted a study which has found that COVID-19 fatalities in the Muslim community are marginally higher in the 2nd wave than in the first. Urologist, Dr Aslam Bhorat says he became interested in carrying out the study after he noticed a higher number of funerals based on the findings by the NGO "Muslim Stats" which bases their stud...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - 2020 may have been a difficult year but 2021 is the year to plan properly for one's retirement. Property consultant and developer, Phil Barker, says there are five tips that one should consider to secure retirement savings this year. Barker says there are certain practises that retirees can benefit from to make their savings and investments go a little...