Newsbreak

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The first Phoenix resident who tested positive for COVID-19 has now been given a clean bill of health. The man and his family experienced traumatic times in the early stages of the lockdown, when the community of Phoenix ostracised him - after he tested positive. However, following the intervention of community leaders and local w...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The ban on cigarettes in South Africa has been a failure, with nine out of 10 smokers breaking the law during lockdown. This is according to an in-depth online survey by University of Cape Town (UCT). The survey shows that 90% of smokers have been able to get their hands on cigarettes - through the illicit market. Professor Cor...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Mother of three school-going children Nirupa Chaithram, from Malvern, south of Durban, has written an open letter to Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, raising her concerns for the health and safety of children if schools do re-open...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The United States government has donated more than 1000 ventilators to aid South Africa's fight against Covid19. This donation forms part of a continued partnership between the countries, of which financially amounts to more than than 41-million US dollars. US Consul General to South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal, Sherry Zalika Sykes...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Prodcuer Shanell Daniel - A train that has been transformed into a clinic aimed at boosting the testing capacity for Covid-19 in KwaZulu-Natal has been launched at Phoenix, north of Durban, today. The community of Phoenix and surrounds now have access to the Transnet-Phelophepa Healthcare Train Clinic based at the Phoenix Railway Station. Launched by Pr...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The highly anticipated address by Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga on the preparations for the re-opening of schools is expected to take place later this afternoon. Various opinions, ranging from from educational experts to parents - have all weighed in on the reopening of schools on the 1st of June, amid the COVID-19...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - With not much to do - and over 50 days into lockdown - most chores have been done, odds and ends fixed - and people are turning AND returning to their fridges several times a day. While a tasty treat does do good for one's taste buds, it's not always a good idea for a healthy lifestyle. In this week's Medical Monitor, Newsbreak...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Over 70 South African citizens have returned home after being trapped in northern African countries due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The group, which arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport over the weekend, have been safely quarantined with the assistance of volunteer group "Home Away from Home". The 74 citizens could...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Business, medical and education experts will come together this afternoon as part of the iMeditate Africa series, in the lead up to Africa Day on Monday. Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Professor Salim Abdool Karim and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Wits - Professor Adam Habib, are among...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producers Rachel Vadi and Hoosen Ebrahim - 103 South Africans who were repatriated from Pakistan last Thursday - claim they are not being provided with appropriate meals AND are not being screened on a daily basis as per requirements when under quarantine. Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Emperors Palace Hotels, Casino and Convention Resort, Group P...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - 103 South Africans who were repatriated from Pakistan last Thursday - claim they are not being provided with appropriate meals AND are not being screened on a daily basis as per requirements when under quarantine. Spokesperson for the quarantined group, Melanie Govender says on the morning of the fourth day of quarantine, they wer...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The legal rights of employees have come under the spotlight as many South Africans are facing pay cuts, retrenchment and being out of a job as a result of the National Lockdown. According to attorney Revonia Royyapen-Pillay, employees have the right to lay a complaint against their employer with the Commission for Conciliation,...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has written to Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy, urging her to immediately amend the regulation of the lockdown to allow for informal subsistence fisher-folk to get back on track using their recreational permits. DA deputy Shadow Minister - Hannah Winkler, says...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Police in Gauteng have requested members of the public to be on high alert following the escape of four prisoners from the Kgosi Mapuru Correctional Facility, in Pretoria. It's understood that the four fugitives were awaiting trial when they made their getaway from the facility. The facility is amongst those with the highest le...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Teachers union SADTU believes that if schools reopen too early, we could start seeing new COVID19 epicentres around the country due to the possible rapid transmission of the virus. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to provide clarity on the back to school situation tomorrow afternoon. SADTU General Secretary,...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - HEAD OF THE CENTRE FOR VACCINES AND IMMUNOLOGY AT THE NICD DR. MELINDA SUCHARD TALKS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA BEING AT THE FOREFRONT OF VACCINE TRIALS FOR COVID-19 ACCORDING TO THE THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producers, Taresh Harreeparshad and Shanell Daniel - About 200 South Africans who are stranded in India are expected to be repatriated from 22 May, pending Covid-19 testing. This is according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. These South Africans claim that they were unable to make travel arrangements due to the emergency loc...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Today marks 11 years since the Mullivaikkal Massacre - which shook the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, killing thousands of Tamils in a span of just a few days. A United Nations (UN) inquiry estimated nearly 40,000 deaths during the final phases of the war. This shocking moment in history is remembered worldwide by various Tamil o...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A book tracing the roots of Indians who left India from 1834, embarking on a journey for better prospects in various other colonies, were subjected to harsh labour practices. That's according to Dr. Juggie Pather - author and historian. The 85-year-old has penned his latest book titled, Kala Pani: Indentured Roots. Kala Pani me...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Following weeks of discussions with various departments, the popular Bangladesh Market in Chatsworth, south of Durban had its first successful two-days of trade this weekend. All traders had to comply with "Alert Level 4" lockdown regulations. Chairperson of the Bangladesh Market Association, Vic Pillay says patrons were pleased t...

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SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Civil society groups are questioning the constitutionality of the lockdown and the National Command Council (NCC). A civil society group of legal practitioners known as "Lawyers for Constitutional Democracy" are now demanding that government end the lockdown and invalidate the NCC. They say the lockdown must be lifted on the g...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Meanwhile, Lawson Naidoo - the Executive Director at the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) says weaknesses in the National Disaster Management Act are forming the basis of these legal challenges. However, he says calling for the end of the lockdown under these unique circumstances is highly...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - It's is still illegal to have hairdressers groom your hair- even at your home. Newsbreak has been alerted to a trend where hairdressers or barbers are operating at a low scale to clients in the comfort of their own homes. But according to regulations- this is in direct contravention of social distancing. National police...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Matthew Veeran - The island nation of Mauritius is officially COVID-19 FREE, after reports from the country showed that the 322 people who contracted the virus over the past few months, have all recovered. Mauritian authorities were able to contain the virus when first detected in March. A total of 10 people have died of the virus in Mauritius...