Newsbreak

Independent schools are likely to resume schooling next week despite the Department of Basic Education mulling over proposals to postpone the opening of public schools to the 15th of February. On Wednesday the department canvassed education stakeholders after advice from scientists to delay the opening by two weeks. Some independent schools started classes on Wednesday while the rest will open the...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The 53-year-old mother of an alleged human trafficking and rape victim, together with a suspect are expected to appear at the Ladysmith Magistrate's Court. This after the 15-year-old was allegedly raped by a known suspect at Elandslagte, in Ladysmith. Reports suggest that the teenagers mother was aware of the abuse, but took no action against the perpetrator....

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The psychological and physical trauma associated with issues such as human trafficking and rape can have devastating long-term effects. Reacting to the incident in Ladysmith, counselling psychologist Dr Akashni Maharaj explains how such issues can take a massive toll on young people especially...

Airlines and special trucks were ferrying Covid-19 vaccines to towns and cities, as India geared up for the staggering task of inoculating 1.3 billion people starting tomorrow. 30 million high-risk workers will get the jab in the first phase of the exercise involving an army of 200,000 trained staff. Our South Asian correspondent has the details...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - As tensions run high in the United States, fear is mounting that more riots could happen in the lead-up to the inauguration of Joe Biden. Democrats charged Trump with "incitement of insurrection" over last Wednesday's assault on the Congress. His trial however, is only expected to begin after Biden is inaugurated on the 20th of January. We contacted Professor...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The alarmingly high numbers of COVID-19 cases in KwaZulu-Natal have been met with many organisations keen to help in the fight against the pandemic. The ACT Foundation, together with Daughters of Africa, have come on board with what's known as the "Home Based Oxygen Campaign". They are offering Covid-19 patients with oxygen concentrators on loan for home use....

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo -Running water has been restored to most parts of Durban that had been without water for over a week. But residents are now asking, for how long ? Water started trickling in since the early hours of this morning to some households, while others are still waiting in anticipation. The eThekwini municipality says the pump that has been installed has been borrowed,...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Stage 2 loadshedding has begun this afternoon and will continue until Sunday night. According to the Eskom's spokesperson, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, loadshedding is necessary due to the loss of generation capacity overnight. The system remains vulnerable and unpredictable - should any further breakdowns occur, the stage of loadshedding may change at short notic...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo -Running water has been restored to most parts of Durban that had been without water for over a week. But residents are now asking, for how long ? Water started trickling in since the early hours of this morning to some households, while others are still waiting in anticipation. The eThekwini municipality says the pump that has been installed has been borrowed,...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - A mother has died - with her young child in a critical condition, after a vehicle crash on the N2, in the vicinity of the Umdloti off ramp, north of Durban. Reports suggest that the woman and child were standing on the road, while her husband assessed possible damage to their vehicle. Spokesperson for local security company Reaction Unit South Africa, Prem Ba...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Police Service (SAPS) have issued a final warning to the public that the firearm amnesty ends on the 31st of January 2021. Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe says the guns, ammunition and parts that are handed in will go for ballistic tests to check if they have been used in any crimes. If any gun handed in by a member of the public...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - An interfaith group have joined forces to provide spiritual upliftment to COVID-19 positive patients at the Melomed Tokai Hospital in Cape Town. A heart-warming video of the spiritual renditions went viral on social media sparking responses of hope and praise for the group. In the video, patients can bee seen peeping from the hospital windows, some she...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) have approved a new device for emergency COVID-19 use. Dubbed "OxERA" or Oxygen-Efficient Respiratory Aid - the new device could be a game changer as it delivers consistently high levels of oxygen to patients and helps keep their lungs from collapsing. It effectively bridges the gap between curre...

By Newsbreak Producers Matthew Veeran and Hoosen Ebrahim - Cosatu have called on the Department of Basic Education to engage with teacher unions on a way forward regarding schools re-opening on the 27th of January. The trade union say they completely disagree with the stance taken by the department, who say there is no evidence to suggest that schools pose a greater risk to spread the Coronavirus...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Local water sport and adventure businesses in KwaZulu-Natal are taking a hard financial knock due to the beach closures and lack of tourism due to the pandemic. Walter Bernardis who operates from Aliwal Shoal on the KZN south coast, says this is usually a time of year when international tourists flock to the province. He says without their support, businesses...

By Newsbreak South Asian Correspondent - India's Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of new farm reform laws that ignited massive protests. It formed an experts' panel to end the deadlock but farmers insisted they will settle for nothing less than a repeal of the bills passed in September. The government says the farmers are victims of toxic propaganda. Our South Asian correspondent report...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Water shortages at Chatsworth and surrounding areas, south of Durban is onto its 7th day, and tensions are running high within the community. Even though the eThewkwini municipality says they are working around the clock to remedy the situation, residents are not buying their statements. Community members have complained about water tankers prioritising certa...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Doctors working at hospitals amid the second wave of the virus have noticed a very rare condition dubbed "happy hypoxia" presenting itself amongst patients. This is a condition where patient's blood oxygen levels drop without being noticed or them experiencing severe problems, which could ultimately lead to death if not diagnosed and treated immediately. Durb...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Religious leaders have urged communities to adhere to COVID-related protocols as the country grapples to help prevent the spread of the virus. Mufti Zubair Bayat, Director of the Durban-based humanitarian organisation "Darul Ihsaan Community Centre" says people should ensure social distancing and the wearing of masks being mandatory at all religious facilitie...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says KwaZulu-Natal hospitals need to ensure there is an adequate high pressure oxygen supply, heading into the peak of the second wave of COVID-19. Chairperson for SAMA, Dr. Akhtar Hussain says the festive season migration of holidaymakers contributed significantly to the rise of infections in the province. KZN has...

By Newsbreak Producers Tashlan Naidoo and Shanell Daniel - Invasion of user privacy is a major concern for users of messenger app "WhatsApp". This after the popular app - which is owned by Facebook - introduced new terms and conditions, requesting users to agree and allow Facebook to collect user data from their devices. While some users don't see this as a huge issue considering that data sharing...

The eThekwini Municipality is calling for calm as it tries to repair a water pump station that's left thousands of residents without water in the western and southern parts of Durban. It's undertaken to provide water tankers to affected areas. But angry residents claim that these tankers don't come to their areas, while others say the tankers only come after eleven pm. Nonkululeko Hlophe reports.....

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says focusing on strengthening health facilities, and vaccinating healthcare workers, is a more sensible approach now and welcomes the renewing of an adjusted level 3 lockdown. This follows the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his address to the nation last night. Ramaphosa says public gatherings ha...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - With the second wave of pandemic sweeping through the country, more people are looking for testing stations in their area. Residents from Chatsworth, south of Durban are being encouraged to get a 'rapid' coronavirus test done at the R.K. Khan hospital parking lot, with results being available in 45 minutes. Coronavirus Action Committee volunteer, Clive Pillay...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - In a bid to relieve some of the stress on hospitals across the country, a humanitarian organisation has sought to create a Whatsapp helpline for anyone that needs assistance. "Muslims for Humanity" volunteer, Ahmad Mather says there are currently three, 24 hour hotlines. Medical professionals, social workers and religious advice will be offered as part of thi...