Newsbreak

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - With research limited on how long COVID-19 anti-bodies can last in one's system after infection, much is still to be discovered about the rates of re-infection. Yesterday we brought you the news that leading scientists say that the new strain of virus less severe than the first, but that it is spreading 50% faster. This as government and South Africa at large...

By Newsbreak Producers Shanell Daniel and Hoosen Ebrahim - The "Information Age" allows for easy access to insight on anything and everything, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Although social media is flooded with information on the vaccine, it also circulates misinformation and conspiracy theories about it. In this week's Techno Touch, Director of Acumen Media, Tonya Khoury, explains social media...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo -One person has been killed and two others injured after an alleged dispute at a grant collection office at Old Main Road, in Isipingo, south of Durban. According to reports, as the suspect tried to get away he shot a bystander in the chest, before being apprehended by security and assaulted by the public. Spokesperson for Durban-based security company, Dhevan...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The body of a nine-year-old boy has been recovered at Ansteys Beach, in the Bluff, south of Durban. This follows a search for the boy after he was washed away to sea on Sunday. According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, he had been walking with friends on the Mondi canal towards the sea when he lost his balance in the fast-flowing...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Residents of Chatsworth, south of Durban, in Wards 70 and 73, are without water due to a burst pipe within the vicinity of the Hare Krishna Temple. Meanwhile, Shallcross residents woke up to no water this morning as well due to a burst pipe at the Shallcross Cemetry. Ward 70 councilor, Tony Govender, says the municipality has been contacted for water tankers...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - KwaZulu-Natal education ngo FEMSISSA say its "irresponsible" from the Department of Education to expect teachers to return to schools two weeks before learners. As it stands, educators are scheduled to return to school on the 1st of February 2021, with school management expected to return a week earlier. FEMSISSA Chairperson Vishnu Naidoo - who's also a forme...

Some of South Africa's leading scientists say that the 501Y.V2 variant of the coronavirus is not more severe that the first variant, but that it is spreading 50% faster. Led by Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize in a virtual panel discussion, scientists spoke on how the new variant is impacting South Africa's health-care system, whether a vaccine would be effective against it and whether the risk of...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - With many temples choosing not to observe kavady at their premises this year due to Covid-19, some have opted to go the online route. According to Public Relations Officer for the Tongaat Hindu Unity Forum, Yoganathan Naidoo, to prevent spreading the virus, kavady, along with other prayers are being live streamed by temples to accommodate devotees...

By Newsbreak Producer Salma Patel - The battle to rollout Ivermectin to the general population has taken a new turn. A Durban doctor has penned a heartfelt letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking for his intervention in the rollout of Ivermectin as a prophylaxis to treat and prevent the coronavirus. Initially, at least one hundred doctors signed the letter, but those signatures have since grown...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Shallcross residents at Chatsworth, south of Durban finally have water. After 16 days with no life-sustaining liquid due to a breakdown of a pump, water has been restored albeit with a reduced pressure output. Priya Verriah a resident at DeMat near Klaawater says even though water has been restored, they are stocking up emergency supplies...

by Newsbreak Producer/Presenter Taresh Harreeparshad - Government has announced that public schools with kick off the academic year on the 15th February as the country grapples with the high infection and death rate during the 2nd wave. Give your views a voice and find out what this means during the covid19 Pandemic

By Newsbreak Producer/Presenter, Taresh Harreeparshad - What happens when you reveal your covid19 status and suddenly notice that family and friends change their behaviour towards you? What if you didn't know of your infection and are accused of being a murderer for "spreading" the coronavirus? These are some of the challenges faced by people in these times of the pandemic. Many are made to feel a...

As many as 25,000 National Guard troops are expected on the streets of Washington DC to ensure the inauguration of incoming US President, Joe Biden, passes without problems. The city is braced for a potential extremist attack like the violence seen on January 6th - when pro-Trump rioters broke into the Capitol building. FBI intelligence suggests more armed protests are planned. The mayor of DC has...

by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - Humanitarian aid organisation - Gift of the Givers claim that the Covid-19 death figures are highly inaccurate. They say that the current figures do not include the high number of people who die before going to hospital or in line waiting for treatment, querying their covid-19 status. The organisation says that majority of South-Africans do not have access t...

by Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - Families in mourning have taken to social media expressing their dissatisfaction, alleging that the cost of funerals have increased drastically during the Covid-19 pandemic. It's reported that members of the public have had to fork out large excess amounts of money to send-off their loved ones, despite having funeral policies in place. Deputy President for T...

by Newsbreak Executive Producer, Salma Patel - Funeral arrangements for activist and founding member of the Chatsmed Gardens Hospital, Professor Cyril Naidoo, are still in limbo as his family recovers. Prof Naidoo - who was popularly known at Chatsworth - succumbed to a covid-19 related complication this past Friday. He was also the lifetime President of the KZN Parent-Teacher Association. Long ti...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) says they don't understand what teachers are going to do at schools for two weeks until learners return. Teachers will return to school on the 1st of February - to undertake administrative duties. But NAPTOSA KZN says this is putting educators at a greater risk of contracting COVI...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - With more than 37,000 deaths related to COVID-19 across the country, the funeral industry is once again experiencing a shortage of coffins. Following the festive season break and with manufacturing at a temporary halt, the industry cannot meet the demand for coffins. Deputy President for the Funeral Practitioners Association, Ndabe Ngcobo, says this issue has...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Concerns have been raised as the restriction of 50 people per funeral service continues to be flouted. Chairperson for the Phoenix Crime Prevention Forum, Umesh Singh, says those found going against regulations will be dealt with according to the law...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - South Africans can expect Stage 2 load-shedding today, which began at 5AM. That's according to power utility Eskom. Over the weekend, frustrated residents endured several hours of load-shedding - which resulted in increased capacity in many parts of the country. Meanwhile, Eskom say the power system remains strained...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Tears continue to be shed following the passing of South African stand-up comedian and actor, Afzal Khan. Best known for his starring role on the SABC1 drama series "Fallen", Khan succumbed to COVID-19 related complications over the weekend. Close friend, Rajesh Gopi, says while many actors may be forgotten, Khan will forever be remembered for his ability to...

by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - 52% of South Africans don't want to take the vaccine against COVID-19. That's according to market researchers CompariSure. They surveyed about 4000 people online to collate their data. 34% listed side effects as their main concern while 13% had religious concerns. Chief financial officer Matt Kloos says the data suggests that South African's need more...

The Department of Basic Education is worried about the impact of the second wave of Covid-19 infections on the new academic year. They've delayed the opening of both private and public schools by two weeks. Deputy Basic Education Minister, Reginah Mhaule, says schools will open on February the 15th but school management teams will be allowed on the premises 15 days before learners return to class....

by Newsbreak's Salma Patel - Armed suspects escaped with an undisclosed amount of jewelry after robbing a store at a Shopping mall at Umhlanga north of Durban. Its alleged that the suspects brazenly fired shots in Gateway Shopping Centre earlier this morning before making their getaway. This is the second robbery at the mall in the past 3 months. Police are still on scene and have yet to comment....

The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has denounced claims that the party has arranged for an after-hours service fee that is being charged at some cemeteries in Cape Town. A video has been circulated on social media about an alleged incident at Mowbray Cemetery. The MJC is planning to meet with the Mowbray Cemetery Board after a public outcry on the matter. Corbin August reports...