Newsbreak

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Two British nationals will face the South African courts today after allegedly illegally entering the country during the National Lockdown through its Golele Border Post, in Swaziland. Police Spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo says the men used a rental car to enter the country recently, having evaded being arrested by police...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - It's a bittersweet moment for final year medical students, who are losing out on time for practical learning, due to the national lockdown. For Lindokuhle Ntshangase, who hails from the rural town of Pongola situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, qualifying as a medical doctor is his dream. However, Ntshangase says that whilst th...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Alcohol is a contributing factor in up to 80% of all Gender-Based Violence cases. That is according to Director of the Phoenix Child Welfare, Aroona Chetty. She says during the lockdown women are already isolated with their abusers and including alcohol into an already-tense situation can have very serious implications...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) recipients are being warned against fake news circulating on social media about food parcels. SASSA is currently issuing Social Relief of Distress (SRD) in the form of food parcels to people living under extreme poverty. However, there is a criteria for those who can qualify. Membe...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - The man who died in a fire at the Windermere Holiday Flats on North Beach in Durban this morning, is believed to be a doctor from the nearby Addington Hospital. The 50-year-old was discovered by firefighters in the bathroom of his flat after it was engulfed in flames this morning. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson - Captain Nq...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - Human rights lawyer Saber Ahmed Jazbhay says the rights of South Africans to practice freedom of religion is not being contravened by the 21 day lockdown or by the President's announcement to ban large religious gatherings. Jazbhay has been speaking to Newsbreak after various Muslim organisations and individuals filed papers to t...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Gauteng Liquor Forum says they will challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Constitutional Court if he fails to uplift the ban on the sale of alcohol by tomorrow. The forum says the lockdown regulations breach the constitutional rights of members to choose their trade, occupation or profession freely. It says since the a...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Prodcuer Taresh Harreeparshad - National Police Spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo says that are "meeting their objectives" with the enforcement of the ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes. He says this is because people are finding it more difficult to access alcohol...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - In an effort to support government's fight to combat the spread of coronavirus in communities, a series of measures are in operation at the King Cetshwayo District, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. One such business lending a helping hand is "Richards Bay Minerals" which is reaching out to health centres and communities within...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - A group of Muslim organisations and individuals have filed papers to the Pretoria High Court to challenge the national lockdown regulations prohibiting large groups from attending religious gatherings. Speaking on behalf of his clients, attorney Zehir Omar says the regulations infringe on the freedom for people to practise their r...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The department of basic education is looking into possibly cancelling the 2020 school holidays in order to salvage the academic year. This comes as the schooling year has been severely disrupted by the covid19 pandemic and subsequent 5 week lockdown that we are currently facing. Basic Education department spokesperson, Elijah M...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Executive Salma Patel - South African artists in Durban have banded together to perform a cover version of the famous track "We Are the World" to remind people that the world needs to stand together to fight the spread of COVID-19. Stacey Lee Govender, from the group Two Unique, says talented singers came together under the banner - Durban Arti...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Racehl Vadi - Good Friday usually sees thousands of Hindu devotees congregate at various temples in South Africa to offer pay homage to Mother Marriamen. However, South Africa's 21 day lockdown has prohibited any mass religious gathering from taking place. But people are still looking for spiritual guidance and nourishment to help them through...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Fraudulent forms have been circulating in the community in relation to the "Social Relief of Distress" programme introduced by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). This is according to member of the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Portfolio Committee - Les Govender. The programme is a temporary provision of assist...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - During the extended lockdown, many parents would need help on how to keep their children occupied, whilst building a better bond with the family unit. A Durban educator and coach is offering a course on positive parenting during overwhelming times. The free online course starts today and runs over four days. Educator, Kr...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been thrown a lifeline to help them through the economic setbaks they may be experiencing as a result of COVID-19. This will be through a new fund set up by the Willowton Group and Al Baraka Bank. The Pietermaritzburg-based agro-processing business and its shareholders have pledged...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping through the country, some businesses have come on board to help curb the spread of the deadly virus. Corporate Affairs Executive for Tongaat Hulett - Nkonzo Mhlongo, says a call made by the President to help stop the virus from spreading has prompted them to make the necessary sanitary provis...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - The South African Social Security Agency (that's SASAA) has announced a change in payment dates effective from May 2020. This is according to member of the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Portfolio Committee - Les Govender. With disability and older persons grants to be paid from the 4th day of the month, all other grants wil...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Matthew Veeran - The Community of Whetstone in Phoenix, north of Durban have expressed shock and sadness after a massive fire gutted a home on Flinstone Road. KZN VIP medics along with SAPS personnel and the fire department responded to the scene earlier this morning. After a joint effort, the fire was eventually extingushid before it managed...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak's Shanell Daniel - The Ahmed Al Kadi hospital in Durban has dismissed information circulating on social media of a COVI-19 patient at the facility. Speaking to Newsbreak, Suraya Vaizie - the hospital's marketing manager - says the hospital has reported the matter to the relevant authorities. Vaizie says the hospital however is prepared to treat any susp...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says her department is working on the Tourism Recovery Strategy to offset the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. She says the industry is currently on it's knees. The focus now shifts on how best to stabilise the tourism sector once the virus spread is controlled. Earlier,...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) believes staff working at St. Augustine's Hospital in Durban are at high risk of being infected with COVID-19. This after facility reported 66 confirmed coronavirus cases, 47 of which are staff. A statement by the Newtcare Group said 33 of the 47 staffers were self isolating and the...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Responding to the global crisis of COVID-19, a group of political activists and councillors, have motivated for a homeless shelter to be erected on a temporary at the Univale Ground in Phoenix, north of Durban. The initiative - which has gained support from the eThekwini Municipality Disaster Management Unit - will house about 300...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The collection of one million bags of maize meal is a target that the Fordsburg Muslim Youth Organisation (FMYA) have set to help feed the less fortunate in South Africa. They have also joined hands with the Sandton Islamic Association (SIA), The South African National Women's Forum (SANWF) and the Gift of the Givers Foundation. T...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Recognizing the dire strait of informal traders during the 21 days of lock down - the Phoenix Child and Welfare Society, have include these members as part of the groups they are providing disaster relief to. Vice-president of the society, Sham Maharaj says the second economy is in need of assistance as many of their usual custome...