Newsbreak

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual education has become the go-to for the millions of students staying at home. However, not all students are able to afford embracing online education due to costly data packages and no access to electronic devices. Durban academic, Cymbeline Harilal says the lockdown leaves South Af...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - There is a fear that health-care professionals will face a shortage of medical masks as the fight against COVID-19 intensifies. In order to address that, a group of individuals have joined the #Mask4All initiative to help source masks for all South Africans. #Masks4All is an international social media movement which encourages...

SABC News and Current Affairs — The government has announced the immediate relaxation of some of the Lockdown regulations. This includes among others re-opening of spaza shops, informal food traders as well as allowing close relatives of deceased persons to travel between provinces in order to bury their loved ones. The new amendments still however bars night virgils and remains strict on the numb...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - A group of volunteers from Phoenix, north of Durban, are building stronger ties, as they help the destitute in the community. Chairperson of the Woodview Ratepayers Association (WRA), Theo Pillay says people are forming stronger bonds - especially as they realise the level of poverty in the community. Since the 21 day lockdown too...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - Day 7 of 21 days of lockdown in South Africa has seen hundreds of people around the country receiving much needed assistance from humanitarian organisation. One such is the eThekwini Outreach program, run by volunteers from the eThekwini Secure crime monitoring social media groups. Chairperson, Imitiaz Syed says networking betwee...

SABC News and Current Affairs — India has launched a nationwide search for hundreds, who attended an event by a Muslim missionary movement, after dozens tested positive for Coronavirus and at least seven died. It has sent shockwaves across Asia, as well as many of the well-travelled participants from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. From New Delhi, Rana Sen reports...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - Law enforcement officials will continue to thoroughly monitor roads and residential areas during the national lockdown. That's according to spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Kwanele Ncalane. He was speaking to the SABC during a road block at KwaDukuza in Durban this morning. This after reports surface...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The 45-year-old teacher from Isipingo, south of Durban has died after recently testing positive for COVID-19. The minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu, conveyed their condolences to the family of the teacher yesterday. It's believed the female educator, from Platt Dr...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The eThekwini Municipality has reiterated that Domestic Refuse Removal will be done as per normal collection schedules during the 21-Day National Lockdown. The City's Deputy Head of Communications, Mandla Nsele, says residents can expect their refuse to be collected as usual, with the necessary hygiene measures in place to ensu...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreparshad - Prof. Gita Ramjee will be remembered as a role model for what can be achieved through sheer determination and hard work. That's according to her dear friend and colleague Prof. Salim Abdool Karrim - the director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in Africa (Caprisa). The pair worked extensively on HIV/AIDS re...

SABC News and Current Affairs — Is the idea of an alcohol-free society realistic in South Africa? Gauteng Education MEC believes it is, and sees the ban on the sale of alcohol during the 21-day nationwide lockdown as a great opportunity to put the idea to the test. Lesufi has been waging a personal battle for an alcohol-free society, arguing that it's a drug that must be eliminated from society be...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - Authorities have clamped down on a CMT factory at Diblen Place, in Lenham, Phoenix, north of Durban, which allegedly continued operations today despite the 21 Lockdown throughout the country. Chairperson for the Phoenix Crime Prevention Forum, Umesh Singh, confirmed the incident, adding that it is vey disappointing that some p...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - Over 300 hundred people have been evacuated and screened for COVID-19 at the China Mall, in the Durban CBD. This after authoities raided the building following complaints that workers were being locked inside the building with some having fallen ill. With lockdown regulations prohibiting such action, busses are standing by to...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad - Tributes continue to pour in for the late Prof. Gita Ramjee. The world renowned scientist passed away from COVID19 related complications. She recently returned to Durban after travelling to the United Kingdom. Prof. Ramjee made an indellible contribution to the field of HIV/AIDS prevention research- working with microbicide tria...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - With the lockdown now into a sixth day in South Africa, many learners and students have taken this time to binge-watch their favourite tv shows and movies. Now while there's no harm in seeking entertained during these difficult times, a technology expert has suggested something more productive. World Wide Worx head Arthur Golds...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A grocery store in Chatsworth, south of Durban has been raided by officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs after allegations of price hiking. Retailers found guilty of price-hiking during the Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa could be fined up to 10% of their annual...

SABC News and Current Affairs — Indian health workers have sparked anger after they sprayed home-bound migrant workers with disinfectant meant to sanitise buses. The outrage occurred at the peak of an unprecedented exodus of poor people from locked-down cities - to the countryside, to escape coronavirus infection which is creeping across the world's second most populous nation. Rana Senn reports.....

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The South African Drug Policy Initiative (SADPI) says the decision to ban the sale of alcohol and tobacco during the national lockdown should be reversed as soon as possible. This comes after SATTA - South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance - made similar appeals. The Non Governmental Organisation says although the decisio...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Childline KwaZulu-Natal is concerned about domestic abuse of children during the nationwide lockdown. This follows issues raised by Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu about how to protect victims of domestic violence during the lockdown. The biggest concern is that vulnerable children will be locked in with their ab...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by SABC News Reporter, Minoshni Pillay - An Umhlanga business owner has been released on 5-thousand rand bail after his arrest for contravening the regulations of the Disaster Management Act. Forty-six year old Mark Deva Chana- CEO of the CCI Call Centre- was arrested last night. More than 2-thousand employees from the call centre had to also be evacuated. The evacu...

SABC News and Current Affairs — by Newsbreak Producer, Salma Patel - U.S. citizens seeking to leave South Africa and head back home on a repatriation flight are being asked to contact the American Embassy as soon as possible. The U.S. government is investigating ways to send American citizens back home while South Africa is in lockdown. U. S. Citizens who are then repatriated to America have to se...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - So, what do the planets have in store for South Africa under lockdown? "Sathya the Vedic Astrologer" says there is some positivity on the horizon and that people should use this time to reconnect with their families. He also added that this time during lockdown could also be used for better planning...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) has appealed to government to amend regulations around the banning of cigarettes. They are saying the ban will have various financial implications, especially for people working in the Agriculture sector. SATTA Chairman Shadrack Sibisi called the government rulings "unfa...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - With many people sitting at home bored during the lockdown, one local artist has used his time constructively and even released a brand new single in process. Durban rapper Taragan Moodley - known by his stage name "Tiger" - has collaborated with up-and-comer Willow for his new track titled "You and Me". The single features ele...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - The South African Hindu Maha Sabha has pledged to donate to government's Solidarity Fund in aid of the response to COVID-19. The money will also assist the most vulnerable during the crisis. Sabha President, Ashwin Trikamjee says people, other religious bodies and business needs to unite in order to overcome one of the g...