President Ramaphosa now ready to reshuffle cabinet, names of 2 senior ministers to be fired revealed

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s victory over his foes in the ANC’S national executive committee (NEC) last week was the impetus he needed to proceed with a cabinet reshuffle, sources in the party said.

Party leaders close to Ramaphosa have named State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo and Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu as the frontrunners to receive the chop.

They say that Ramaphosa is likely to replace Dlodlo with his trusted ally Senzo Mchunu, who is currently serving as the minister of public service and administration, while Sisulu’s position is likely to be taken over by her deputy, David Mahlobo.
Ramaphosa had apparently “toyed” with the idea of axing Dlodlo and Sisulu for some time. The NEC meeting’s directive to those facing charges of corruption or other serious crimes to step aside within 30 days has apparently emboldened the president and boosted his confidence as he gains the upper hand in the factional battle that is inflicting damage on the ruling party.

“We have been talking about making changes, and it seemed that we would not get everyone fully on board. Things have changed,” an NEC member and Ramaphosa supporter said.

“We won that NEC meeting, and while those calling themselves the RET [radical economic transformation] faction made noise, it was clear who had the majority. What the president could not do was reshuffle his cabinet when the leadership was in disagreement. We needed to deal with this step-aside issue first, and when it’s finally done, then you can expect a major change.”

Dlodlo is an armed struggle stalwart who received intelligence training from the Soviet Union and who worked in the disbanded elite crimefighting unit, the Scorpions. But she was never seen as the obvious choice for the critical state security post due to her close relationship with former president Jacob Zuma.

In the recent past, Dlodlo has complained that she was frustrated by senior State Security Agency (SSA) officials.

She was also reported to have allegedly given an unlawful instruction to the agency’s domestic head, Mahlodi Muofhe, to tap the phone of a person allegedly involved in organising the xenophobic violence in Gauteng, News24 reported.

Dlodlo has never denied or admitted to the claims.

Muofhe, an ally of the president, has told the commission of inquiry into state capture that he declined Zuma’s offer to be the head of the National Prosecuting Authority because the former president wanted him to protect Nomgcobo Jiba, a former deputy national director of public prosecutions, from prosecution.

Earlier this year, Dlodlo also went toe-to-toe with the acting director general of the SSA, Loyiso Jafta, saying that he did not meet the criteria to head the organisation after he testified that funds were stolen from the organisation, including assets worth R9-billion that were lost.

It is reliably understood that Ramaphosa backed Jafta when Dlodlo tried to prevent him from giving extensive testimony to the Zondo commission on how the rot set in at the SSA during the Zuma years.

The standoff further soured her relationship with Ramaphosa.

One of Ramaphosa’s lieutenants told the Mail & Guardian that Mchunu was ready to step up to the plate.

“Senzo has felt unhappy in his department for some time now. He feels he would be of better use to the president at SSA. I agree. I think Ayanda was a mistake. She has done very little to change that organisation, and we still sit with the same problems. Senzo is more suited to the job, and he wants it.”

Lindiwe Sisulu, meanwhile, contested for party president during the watershed Nasrec conference in 2017, has also been seen as a “loose cannon” and is running her department in such a way as to lay the ground for her presidential ambitions in next year’s elective conference.

The M&G previously reported that an anonymous complaint was made to the public protector and the Public Service Commission that Sisulu had employed staff from her unsuccessful 2017 ANC presidential campaign in her department.

Earlier this year, Sisulu appointed former national director of public prosecutions Menzi Simelane and former intelligence head Moe Shaik as her advisers. She also appointed embattled ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini as the interim board chair of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority.

According to the complaint’s authors, appointing Dlamini to the post was aimed at ensuring the League’s support for Sisulu’s presumptive ANC presidential bid next year. Sisulu’s presidential bid at Nasrec in 2017 was not supported by the League, who instead backed Nkosazana Dlamini-zuma. Sisulu has rejected these claims.

A major cabinet reshuffle has been mooted for more than a year, leading to jostling from provinces and key players in the ruling party’s factions.

But following the NEC meeting Ramaphosa’s concerns have now moved from the RET faction and a shake-up now is likely to reveal how he manages the ambitions of those aligned to real future challengers such as ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile.

The M&G has previously reported that a significant shake-up in the department of public enterprises has been mooted in the reshuffle talks.

Insiders close to talks said Ramaphosa was gearing up to move some of the beleaguered state-owned enterprises from Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan’s portfolio.

Among them is South African Airways, which is expected to move to Minister Fikile Mbalula’s transport portfolio.

The sources also told the M&G that the struggling power utility Eskom would be transferred to the department of energy under Minister Gwede Mantashe.

The president of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has released his Easter message to South Africans.

The message reads;

“Dear Fellow South African,

Over the course of the next few days and weeks, many South Africans of faith will join others across the world in important religious observances. Members of the Jewish faith are celebrating Pesach, Christians will observe Easter and Muslims will soon start the holy month of Ramadan.

For the second year, they will mark these occasions in the midst of a devastating global pandemic that has cost the lives of more than 2.5 million people across the world.

At this moment, it is worth recalling the writings of the eminent reformer and clergyman Martin Luther nearly 500 years ago, when the bubonic plague was cutting a devastating swathe across much of Europe.

In a letter dated 1527, Luther writes about the responsibilities of members of the clergy and of all people of faith during a deadly plague.

Much of the letter is about religious duty towards the sick and the dying. But he also offers practical advice similar to the public health advice we have today on social distancing, sanitising and quarantining.

“All of us have the responsibility of warding off this poison to the best of our ability,” Luther writes.

“Use medicines, take potions which can help you; fumigate house, yard and street; shun persons and places wherever your neighbour does not need your presence or has recovered; and act like one who wants to help put out the burning city.”

While upholding the view that people of faith should not neglect their duty to care for the sick, he cautions against endangering the lives of others.

In many ways, the views expressed by Martin Luther five centuries ago echo the position of religious leaders in South Africa in the midst of the current epidemic.

Faith-based organisations have been vital to our national response to the disease, not only providing spiritual comfort and guidance, but also by caring for those most vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic, including through the provision of food, shelter and other social services.

Religion plays an important role in the lives of millions of South Africans, and congregational worship forms a vital part of their religious practice.

Being able to gather for religious services is also a welcome respite from a period of great hardship for individuals, families and communities.

It is understandable that after more than a year of labouring under restrictions on religious gatherings that the faith community are keen for a return to a semblance of normality.

In recognition of the importance of congregational worship to the lives of our people, government has been engaging with the faith community.

I recently had an extremely constructive virtual meeting with leaders of the faith community. These leaders understand and appreciate the very real danger of a new wave of COVID-19 infections. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, religious organisations have taken proactive and positive measures to limit the spread of the disease among worshippers.

In the light of these precautionary measures, a number of religious organisations have asked that some of the existing restrictions on the size of congregations be eased, especially as we prepare for Easter and Ramadan observances. Government is currently deliberating on these and other issues, and will make an announcement in the coming days.
Another important factor is that during the various alert levels, religious organisations have incurred substantial financial losses that threaten their sustainability. As government we remain committed to working with the faith community to find workable solutions.

At the same time, public health and safety must be our paramount consideration.

The religious community has shown innovation and initiative in the holding of worship at a time when there was a great deal of uncertainty over the trajectory of the pandemic.

Congregational services were held online and worshippers were encouraged to pray in their homes instead of attending services. This greatly aided the national effort to contain the spread of the disease.

Religious leaders played a pivotal role in encouraging public adherence to health measures around important customary and cultural rituals like burials.

By equal measure, our people have demonstrated their commitment to adhering to public health protocols and to social distancing. And they correctly appreciate that they must continue to avoid large gatherings .

We are now at a time where precaution is needed above all. The coronavirus pandemic has not been eliminated, either in our own country or around the world. The threat of a third wave is real and ever-present.

International experience has taught us that we should not tempt fate. Many countries have eased restrictions, only for there to be resurgences, necessitating the imposition of even harsher restrictions.

Faced with this reality, faith communities are encouraged to innovate in the holding of congregational worship over the upcoming Easter, Passover and Ramadan as they did last year.

Large gatherings, whether religious or otherwise, have the potential to spread the virus, despite the application of measures around social distancing and sanitising.

Over this coming weekend, millions of South Africans will be observing an important tenet of their faith. In a country that enshrines the right to religious freedom, all effort must be made to support our people in the exercise of this right. And in exercising this right, we need to make sure that we do not place the rights or the lives of others at risk.

This is a principle that the religious leaders I met with fully support and appreciate. Like Martin Luther, they understand the responsibility of all people of faith – indeed of all South Africans – to observe the practical measures put in place to protect people’s health and save lives.

For more than a year, we have worked together as a society to contain this pandemic. Now as we work to overcome it, we need to reaffirm our shared determination to act responsibly and cautiously.

In doing so, we will be giving practical effect to the universal messages of hope, salvation, freedom and solidarity that will be spoken of in the churches, synagogues, mosques and homes of our land in the days and weeks ahead.”

President Ramaphosa declares official funeral for King Zwelithini

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special official funeral category 1 for the late KwaZulu-Natal King Goodwill Zwelithini.

News24 reported on Friday that Zwelithini had died in hospital after he had been ill for about a month.

There were concerns about the blood sugar levels of the 72-year-old and he received treatment in the ICU when he became unstable.

Tributes have been pouring in since the news of the king’s death on Friday morning.

Ramaphosa has authorised that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country from Saturday, until the evening of the funeral date.

In a statement, the presidency said the funeral would entail ceremonial elements provided by the South African National Defence Force. “In terms of Chapter 1.5.2(a) of the State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy Manual, the President may designate the funeral of a distinguished person as a Special Official Funeral.
“President Ramaphosa has expressed his sincere condolences to the Royal Family, to the Zulu nation, and to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and beyond – for whom the Ingonyama was an important symbol of history, culture and heritage.”

Details of Zwelithini’s funeral would be announced in due course, the presidency said.

Madiba taught me to be a good leader – President Ramaphosa speaks on his leadership skills

President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended and finally explained his “consultative” leadership style, saying he learned it from Nelson Mandela and the African forebears for whom it worked.

Addressing the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town on Thursday, he said he was often accused of being too consultative, like traditional leaders for whom the nature of their work required them to consult with their communities all the time.

But even as he was being accused of being too consultative, he still wanted to be able to advance the consultation process.

“I conclude to myself that we are doing what our forebears had always done where nothing is ever done without proper consultation with our people.

“It is a practice and process that I will continue to hold on to because there is nothing that beats being consultative, that beats hearing all the views of everyone else,” Ramaphosa said.

Mandela had moulded his leadership style around consultation.

“He was consulting people, hearing their views and at times he would even tick out those who disagreed with him the most and say, ‘I want to hear those views’.

“Because it is after hearing the views that he is then able, with confidence, to move forward and be decisive.”

During the constitutional negotiations, they proceeded on the basis that there was no problem without a solution.

“Whatever problem you may have, there is always a solution.

Watch: Chaos erupts in Parliament as Julius Malema disrupts President Ramaphosa’s Sona

Chaos erupted in the joint sitting of Parliament on Tuesday during the debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Of the Nation Address (Sona).

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader seemed to have gone over his allocated response time, however, National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo was not aware that the EFF was to use its time on the programme only for Malema.

MPs started howling at each other, with the EFF demanding that Malema be allowed to use up his time.

Malema spent most of his time criticising Ramaphosa’s leadership style.

“The reality is that the conditions of our people are getting worse, and whilst corona[virus] has worsened them, it is still not to blame for your general incompetence,” he said.

“Despite the PR stunts and showmanship, you demonstrated during the State of Nation Address on the 11th of February 2021, there is honestly nothing to celebrate under your leadership.”

“We want to state categorically that any leader of our country who owes loyalty to settlers and white state capturers, is defining himself as an enemy of the people. We will isolate and ultimately defeat all puppets of the white capitalist establishment.”

Malema said it was evident that the Guptas “have been replaced by a very powerful white capitalist capture of the Ruperts, Oppenheimers, Steven Kosheff [sic], The Mennels, and all other white people who played a central role in buying the conference of the ruling party in 2017”

He said that when Ramaphosa was elected as president in 2019, the unemployment rate in South Africa was 26.1% but had now increased to 30.1%, with well over 10 million people unemployed.

He said that Ramaphosa was using the Covid-19 pandemic to shield himself from his failures.

“Despite empty promises at investment summits, the economy under Mr Ramaphosa is shrinking, and South Africa was already in a recession for the three quarters before the outbreak of coronavirus.”

“We experienced recession well before the Covid-19 and this is made worse by the fact that government’s contribution to the GDP [gross domestic product] continues to decline, due to the patently foolish and unscientific reduction of the budget,” added Malema.

“When we were confronted with the Covid-19 pandemic, we could not even manufacture the most basic of things, like masks and sanitisers. South Africa has spent more than R30 billion purchasing PPEs, and this has benefitted foreign companies.”

Watch the debate below, courtesy of the SABC

President Ramaphosa pleads with Former President Jacob Zuma to appear before the Zondo commission

The ANC is making a last-ditch attempt to persuade former president Jacob Zuma to appear before the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture this week, as he showed no sign yesterday of softening his defiance and backing down from his refusal to appear.

Zuma has been warned of possible arrest if he defies a summons to appear before deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo tomorrow, a move that the ANC top brass will warn him could plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.

The eleventh-hour bid to persuade Zuma comes after the ANC’s top six officials, who include President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy David Mabuza, yesterday told the party’s national executive committee (NEC) that they would be meeting Zuma to discuss the legal and political implications of his defiance of a ruling from SA’s highest court.

This was confirmed yesterday by ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe, who said the top six had apprised the NEC about their decision to meet the defiant former head of state.

Sources said the NEC unanimously agreed with the top six’s decision to approach Zuma.

“Officials are dealing with the matter themselves and again confirmed in this ongoing NEC that they will be meeting the former president,” said Mabe.

Another person at the NEC meeting said the aim was also to persuade Zuma to comply with an ANC resolution that its members should support the work of the commission.

It was not clear yesterday when the meeting would take place, but the Ramaphosaled top six are in a race against time as Zuma is scheduled to appear before the commission for this entire week to answer several allegations of state capture, starting tomorrow.

Zuma announced a fortnight ago that he would disobey a Constitutional Court ruling ordering him to appear before the Zondo commission and respond to its questions, citing what he said was its bias and the deputy chief justice’s decision to turn down his refusal request.

Zuma was in a fighting mood yesterday in Pietermaritzburg during the funeral of the former deputy speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature, Meshack Radebe.

The former president used his address at the funeral to complain that he was being “chased around like an antelope”.

Zuma kicked off his speech with struggle song, “Senzeni na? Sono sethu, ubumnyama.” (What have we done? Our only sin is being black.)

He then turned to another tune he resorts to in difficult times, “Ngimanxebanxeba nginje yizinsizwa engakhula nazo” (I am wounded like this, it is because of the men I grew up with), which he was in the habit of

belting out at the Pietermaritzburg high court during his corruption trial.

Zuma described Radebe as a brave comrade whose loyalty could not be doubted. Radebe shot to fame in the 1990s for brokering peace between the ANC and IFP.

“One of the things that uBhungane [Radebe’s clan name] dedicated his life to was the ending of the black-on-black violence where the oppressors knew that the way to protect themselves was to pit black people against each other.

“If I asked anyone why we were fighting, no-one will give me an answer. If you were ANC and the other IFP, what was the problem? No-one can tell you.

“This story is too long, I cannot tell the full story. Maybe one day when they stop chasing me like a springbok, I will get a chance to sit down and really go into detail and it may be read by my great-grandchildren.

“This is where I will tell the story of where it all went wrong.

“I will detail what the oppressor did to pit us against one another.

“This they did because the liberation for freedom was near and they did not want that to happen.

“They did what they usually do to all the nation when they arrived from Europe, which is to pit people against one another so that people do not come together and fight them. During the black-on-black violence we were fuming with anger.”

Zuma was joined at the funeral by ANC leader and health minister Zweli Mkhize.

Zuma has been implicated by more than 30 witnesses in various forms of state capture, including the siphoning off of State Security Agency funds, leaking confidential cabinet matters to the Gupta family and discussing cabinet appointments with them.

The Zondo commission wants to question him on these matters, among others.

Sources at the commission have indicated that if Zuma does not appear, Zondo will be left with no choice but to refer the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority for Zuma’s possible arrest on a charge of contempt of court.

“Whether he comes or not, the date has not changed and of course he said he will not come … the ConCourt judgment will strengthen the commission’s responsibility to register [his nonappearance] as a criminal charge,” said a source familiar with the commission’s

investigations.

“But it will depend on the NPA how capacitated and enthusiastic they are to pursue a criminal charge.

“The Commissions Act is quite clear that it is a criminal offence to defy the summons of the commission.”

The commission’s spokesperson, Reverend Mbuyiselo Stemela, said should Zuma not appear before the commission tomorrow, it will immediately announce what action will be taken against him.

“In terms of one of the summonses issued by the commission Mr Zuma is required to appear before the commission from the 15th to the 19th February 2021. As already indicated, the order of the Constitutional Court compels Mr Zuma to comply with that summons by appearing before the commission and answering questions that may be put to him.

“Should Mr Zuma carry out his decision not to appear before the commission on 15 February 2021 and, therefore, act in breach of the summons and in contempt of the order of the Constitutional Court, the commission

will announce on that day what further action it will take in regard to such conduct,” said Stemela.

In papers filed during its application to the ConCourt to compel Zuma to appear before it, the commission cited specific issues it wants Zuma to respond to. These include:

• Themba Maseko’s allegations that in or about September/October 2010, Zuma had a telephonic conversation with him in which Zuma required him to accede to the demands from the Guptas for government advertising to be placed with their media company.

• Barbara Hogan’s allegations that in and around 2009, Zuma unlawfully sought to interfere in the management of Eskom by pressuring her to reinstate Jacob Maroga as the CEO of Eskom, after the Eskom board had unanimously decided not to do so; and that Zuma unlawfully sought to interfere in the management of Transnet by insisting on the appointment of Siyabonga Gama as CEO.

• That during November 2011 to December 2015, Zuma initiated and co-ordinated the process to procure 9.6GW of nuclear energy from the Russian Federation without ensuring the conclusion of prior feasibility studies and finance modelling to ensure affordability.

• That in or around April 2014, Zuma unlawfully sought to execute or cause to be executed the Petronas transaction without due diligence being conducted, exposing the National Treasury to financial risk in the amount of R18.6bn.

An arrest would bring ‘instability’ from Zuma’s supporters

Carl Niehaus

Zuma supporter

• Nhlanhla Nene and Mcebisi Jonas’s allegations that Zuma unlawfully sought to pressure Nene, then the minister of finance, to sign a letter of agreement for the proposed nuclear build programme with the Russian Federation, and further agree to proceed with the nuclear build programme at a cabinet meeting in December 2015.

Zuma’s lawyer, Eric Mabuza, declined to comment this week when asked if his client would appear before the commission.

Zuma’s spokesperson, Vukile Mathabela, said the former president stands by his decision not to appear before the commission.

The Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association, staunch Zuma supporters, this week descended on Zuma’s Nkandla homestead, saying 200 of its members would camp out at his home for as long as required to shield him from possible arrest.

MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus said yesterday that they would be staging rallies in Nkandla today and tomorrow in support of Zuma.

Niehaus insisted that there will be no Zuma at the commission when it meets tomorrow.

Niehaus said the MKMVA “agreed” with Zuma on his assertion that the Zondo commission was biased.

Niehaus said there would be “instability across the country” should Zuma be arrested, and “outcry from many of President Zuma’s supporters across the country”.

President Ramaphosa’s farm worker takes him to court after he was fired for missing work for 2 days

An employee at President Cyril Ramaphosa’ s cattle farm is taking the fight to get his job back to the Commission for Conciliation‚ Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) after he was fired for missing work for two days when he took ill.

Bennet Mashinini, a security guard at Ntabanyoni farm in Badplaas, Mpumalanga, said he had not been feeling well for more than a week when he decided to visit the Prince Mkholisi Community Health Centre on December 12.

“They did a Covid-19 test and told me that all my symptoms were that of a coronavirus patient and told me to stay at home for 10 days [in isolation]. I called the manager [Ben Molotsi] and informed him about what health-care workers said …”

According to a medical certificate , Mashinini was advised to isolate for 10 days or until he got his Covid-19 test results back showing he was negative. He only obtained a medical certificate in February, after he was fired for misconduct.

“While I was at home recovering, I received my results via SMS on December 17 and they were negative. But because I was not feeling well, I had to stick to the 10 days [isolation period] and I stayed at home and went back to work on December 23,” said Mashinini.

However, a virology report indicated that his test had been referred to another lab.

Mashinini said he did not get any other message informing him of the results after that initial SMS.

Little did he know that when he went back to work, where Ramaphosa farms a rare breed of cattle known as Ankole, he would face disciplinary proceedings for misconduct.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Tyrone Seale has not responded to requests for comment since Wednesday. He promised to respond by midday yesterday, but his phone went unanswered and he did not respond to text messages.

CCMA spokesperson Amos Tshabalala did not respond to Sowetan’s questions on the matter.

According to the notice of disciplinary hearing, which Sowetan has seen, Molotsi said Mashinini was “misrepresenting facts and/or falsely claiming to self-quarantine after you received your Covid-19 negative test results” and “neglecting your duties to update or inform your employer of your Covid-19 test results” and was “absent for the quarantine period without permission, authorised leave or a valid reason”.

Mashinini was found guilty after a hearing held on January 7.

He was informed of the outcome on January 21, with his dismissal effective from the next day.

He said the charges were fabricated. Molotsi confirmed that Mashinini had made the necessary arrangements with the company after visiting the clinic on December 12.

“We then agreed that he would call the company once results were received. Upon receiving his test results, he failed to contact the company as agreed and when asked why, he said there was something wrong with his phone.

After [receiving] his negative test results, he proceeded to stay home for two days.”

Molotsi said Mashinini “has a bad misconduct history in his employee file and once again, he was pleading to be given another chance”.

“His historical misconduct includes being late for work, absent without permission, being drunk while on duty on numerous occasions, where he also failed a basic alcohol test and was issued with relevant levels of warnings at that time.

“He had always conceded wrongdoing and would, as usual, further plead with management to be given another chance. The trust relationship between Mashinini and the company is destroyed,” said Molotsi.

Molotsi said the hearing was held by an independent labour consultant.

Mashinini rubbished the claims that he had a history of misconduct.

“This is pure lies, he [Molotsi] is lying. I have never failed any alcohol test at work, he must show that to the CCMA or maybe he should have brought it up during the disciplinary hearing.”

He said he could not have come to work late because workers were provided with staff transport.

‘‘ He has a bad misconduct history in his employee file, including being drunk on duty

President Ramaphosa shuts all land borders

The president expressed concern that the rising new infections continued to burden the health system, especially in key provinces.

While the country remains on revised level three lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced further restrictions including the closure of 20 land borders until next month while the sale of alcohol is still prohibited.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday night as coronavirus cases continue to surge around the country.

The president expressed concern that the rising new infections continued to burden the health system, especially in key provinces.

He said that the huge congestions seen at some of the land posts were a challenge, which exposed many to infections as they waited to be processed.

It is recent scenes at the Beitbridge and Maseru Bridge border posts that have caught the attention of many resulting in mounting concern.

But as some warn of human rights violations and with no workable solution in sight, Ramaphosa and his Cabinet have decided to close all 20 land border posts in the country.

“These include the six busiest border posts, which are Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge, Oshoek, Ficksburg and Kopfontein.”

Ramaphosa said that there was a category of people who would be allowed to move in and out of the country.

“The transportation of fuel, cargo and goods; emergency medical attention for a life-threatening condition; the return of South African nationals, permanent residents or persons with other valid visas; diplomats; the departure of foreign nationals and daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend school in South Africa.”

The president said these lockdown measures would be in place until 15 February.

President Ramaphosa’s full speech on new level 3 regulations

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will return to level 3 lockdown as the government moves to deal with the second wave of coronavirus infections.

Fellow South Africans,

In just four days from now, we will be ushering in a new year.
This is traditionally a time of festivity and celebrating.

Unfortunately, for us here in South Africa and for others around the world, there is little cause for celebration this year.

Yesterday, we passed the mark of more than one million confirmed coronavirus cases in our country.

Nearly 27,000 South Africans are known to have died from COVID-19.

The number of new coronavirus infections is climbing at an unprecedented rate.

More than 50,000 new cases have been reported since Christmas Eve.

The majority of new cases are emerging in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

Infections are also alarmingly on the rise in Limpopo.

Infections are on the rise in part because, as humans, we are social beings and have a need to socialise with one another.

We feel the need to visit friends and family, we attend religious services and we go to parties.

But this is a time of heightened danger in the face of a global pandemic.

Across the world countries are having to take drastic measures to curb new waves of infections.

We will all have heard that there is a new variant of COVID-19 that is now well-established in our country.

As our scientists study this variant – called 501.V2 – and its spread, it appears that it may be more contagious than the virus that drove the first wave of infections.

The rapid rise in infections is being fuelled by so-called super-spreader events, including like end-of-year functions, family and social gatherings, and music and cultural events.

This is a cause for great alarm, and points to an extreme lack of vigilance over the holiday period.

We have let down our guard, and unfortunately we are now paying the price.

We have not been wearing masks.

We are not washing our hands or sanitising.

And we are not keeping a safe distance from others.

We have continued to host and attend social gatherings and events that in many cases flout public health regulations.

As has been the case previously, social gatherings substantially increase the risk of transmission.

Venues are often poorly ventilated and their permitted capacity is being exceeded.

Hand sanitiser is not being used, and masks are being worn to gain entry, only to be taken off once inside.

In these same social gatherings, the consumption of alcohol in restaurants, in nightclubs and taverns has contributed to risky behaviour like not wearing masks and not observing social distancing.

Excessive alcohol consumption is also driving up the number of trauma cases in our hospitals.

According to the data we have, with every relaxation of the restrictions on the sale of alcohol, the number of trauma cases reporting at our hospitals has increased.

These trauma cases are putting an unnecessary strain on our already stretched public health facilities.

Our hospitals, both private and public, are already close to full capacity in a number of provinces, and ICU beds are either full already or rapidly filling up.

In the Eastern Cape, for example, the number of hospitalisations and in-hospital deaths has now surpassed the numbers witnessed in the first surge earlier this year.

Several provinces are hard at work to prepare additional beds, ventilators and oxygen to respond to this increase.

Our frontline healthcare workers, who have put their lives on the line over the past nine months to care for the ill, are becoming infected in higher numbers.

They are exhausted, and they are struggling under the strain of the second wave.

During the month of December, 4,630 public sector health employees contracted COVID-19, bringing the total number infected since the start of the pandemic to over 41,000.

Yesterday, I saw a social media post from a doctor in one of our facilities, which I would like to share with you, because it captures the situation that our health workers face.

He writes:

“Half our consultants have COVID.

“More than half my colleagues had COVID or are currently in quarantine.

“Hospital is FULL. No oxygen points. Private hospitals are FULL. Not accepting more patients. No beds anywhere.

“And this is not yet the peak.

“Guys. We are all going to pay for your inability to be responsible with our LIVES.”

These brave men and women, who have kept our hospitals and clinics open and running through their resilience, courage and professionalism are now at even greater risk than before. They are themselves almost at break point.

They could lose their lives. More families will mourn. All because of our actions, and our failure to take responsibility.

We are at an extremely dangerous point in our fight against the pandemic.

Unless we act now and unless we act decisively, the number of new infections will far exceed what we experienced during the first wave and thousands more people will lose their lives.

On the recommendation of the National Coronavirus Command Council, and after consultation with provinces and metro mayors, Cabinet has decided to put the country on an adjusted Level 3 from Level 1 with immediate effect.

Several of the level 3 regulations are being strengthened to further limit the potential for transmission, while doing everything possible to keep the economy open.

We have adjusted the restrictions that will apply at level 3 based on the lessons we have learned through our response to date.

There are four main reasons for this step:

Firstly, we want to minimise the risk of super-spreading events even further. As the number of people with active infections rises, there is a greater risk of an infected person without symptoms being present in a gathering and spreading the virus.

Secondly, we want to decrease unsafe interactions between people.

Thirdly, we want to increase the implementation of our five key prevention measures – social distancing, masks, hand hygiene, symptom-checking and testing.

Fourthly, we want to decrease the burden on health care services so that resources can be directed to meet the needs of COVID-19 and other patients.

Under the adjusted level 3 regulations:

All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days from the date hereof, except for funerals and other limited exceptions as detailed in the regulations, such as restaurants, museums, gyms and casinos. These will further be set out by the Minister in regulations and will be reviewed after that period.

Funerals may not be attended by more than 50 people with social distancing.

Every business premises must determine the maximum number of staff and customers permitted at any one time based on our social-distancing guidelines and may not exceed that limit.

The nationwide curfew will be extended from 9pm to 6am. Apart from permitted workers and for medical and security emergencies, nobody is allowed outside their place of residence during curfew.

Non-essential establishments – including shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural venues – must close at 8pm. The list of these establishments will be released shortly.

We now know that the simplest and most effective way to reduce transmission of the coronavirus is to wear a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth whenever in public.

Until now the owners and managers of shops and public buildings, employers and operators of public transport have had a legal responsibility to ensure that everyone entering their premises or vehicle is wearing a mask.

But given the grave danger our country now faces, the adjusted level 3 regulations will make every individual legally responsible for wearing a mask in public.

From now on it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence.

A person who does not wear a mask could be arrested and prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.

This is a drastic measure but is now necessary to ensure compliance with the most basic of preventative measures.

We remain particularly concerned about the elderly and those with co-morbidities and ask that they do their utmost to protect themselves from the virus, especially minimising their contact with other people.

One of the more difficult areas of regulation relates to the sale of alcohol.

The liquor industry is a major employer and an important contributor to our economy.

Our priority at this time, however, must be to save lives.

Reckless behaviour due to alcohol intoxication has contributed to increased transmission.

Alcohol-related accidents and violence are putting pressure on our hospital emergency units.

As we had to in the early days of the lockdown, we now have to flatten the curve to protect the capacity of our healthcare system to enable it to respond effectively to this new wave of infections.

In such a scenario, every piece of medical equipment, every hospital bed, every healthcare worker, and every oxygen tank is needed to save lives.

Therefore, under the strengthened regulations:

The sale of alcohol from retail outlets and the on-site consumption of alcohol will not be permitted.

The prohibition on consuming alcohol in public spaces like parks and beaches remains.

Distribution and transportation will be prohibited with exceptions that will be explained by the minister.

These regulations may be reviewed within the next few weeks if we see a sustained decline in infections and hospital admissions.

In effect, the adjusted Level 3 regulations will keep the economy open while strengthening measures to reduce transmission.

With a few exceptions, businesses may continue to operate as long as all relevant health protocols and social distancing measures are adhered to.

Night clubs and businesses engaged in the sale and transportation of liquor will not be allowed to operate.

The Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021.

These measures will be reviewed at that time on the basis of the state of the pandemic in the country.

When I last addressed you, I indicated that in managing the pandemic we would follow a differentiated approach that took into account the rise in infections in particular municipalities.

Municipalities defined as hotspots will be subject to additional restrictions until there is a clear and sustained decline in infections.

Following a review of the latest available data on infections and hospitalisations, and consultations with affected provinces, Cabinet has decided that 22 districts be declared coronavirus hotspots.

In the Eastern Cape, these are Chris Hani District, Buffalo City, Amathole District, Alfred Nzo District and the OR Tambo District. These are in addition to Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Sarah Baartman District, which have already been declared hotspots.

In KwaZulu-Natal, these are eThekwini, Umgungundlovu District, Ugu District, Harry Gwala District, King Cetshwayo District and Ilembe District.

In Gauteng, the West Rand District, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg are declared hotspots.

In the Western Cape, the West Coast District, Overberg District, Winelands District, Cape Town, Central Karoo District are hotspots. This is in addition to the Garden Route District.

In the North West, Bojanala District is declared a hotspot area.

And in Limpopo, the Waterberg District and the Capricorn District are declared coronavirus hotspots.

When I last addressed you we announced that certain beaches in our country would be closed on certain days and others would remain open.

As the infections continue to rise Cabinet on the advice of the National Coronavirus Command Council has decided that all beaches, dams, lakes, rivers, public parks and public swimming pools in hotspot areas will be closed to the public with effect from tomorrow.

National and provincial parks and other parks where access control measures and entry limitations are already in place may remain open to the public.

Those living in the hotspot districts are strongly encouraged to minimise their travel within the district to essential travel so as to minimise contact with other people.

Travel to hotspot districts should be avoided if possible.

The stark reality is that every single district in this country has the potential to become a hotspot unless we observe the current preventative measures.

As we intensify our efforts to prevent further infections, we continue to work to ensure equitable access to an effective COVID-19 vaccine.

As we have reported before, South Africa is part of the global pooled procurement initiative co-ordinated by Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility, commonly known as COVAX.

We can confirm that we have signed off on the agreement with COVAX and the Solidarity Fund has made the initial payment of R283 million to the facility.

We are grateful for the support we continue to receive from the Solidarity Fund across all areas of our COVID response. We should remember that the Solidarity Fund is a multisectoral funded initiative having received funding from government, a number of individual South Africans, various institutions including political parties as well as business corporations.

We are part of the first group of countries that will receive an allocation of vaccines from COVAX. We have been advised that we should expect the vaccines in the second quarter of 2021.

We are also having parallel bilateral discussions with a number of vaccine manufacturers, and will make further announcements once firm agreements are in place.

As a country we need to build a strong partnership between the government and business sector to augment the resources required in financing the additional vaccines necessary to achieve herd immunity.

Engagements to this effect are at an advanced stage and we urge the private sector to continue their participation in this endeavour.

We are working to secure a sufficient supply of vaccines in the shortest possible time to protect the most vulnerable in our community.

Until then, we have no choice but to observe the highest degree of vigilance, and to protect ourselves and others in every way that we can.

We each have a responsibility to wear masks, wash or sanitise our hands, and keep a safe distance from others.

We must remember that this virus is carried through the air, and that we must therefore avoid what has been described as the three Cs – closed spaces, crowded places and close contact with others.

This virus takes advantage of our over-confidence.

Because we feel healthy now, we think we cannot get sick.

Because they seem fine, we believe that nothing bad can happen to our loved ones.

As older people, we think it is okay, we are healthy, so we can still go to big religious services, to funerals and socialise with our friends.

As young people, we may feel strong and invincible, and believe that we are immune to becoming infected because we are young.

As a result, we let down our guard. We take risks.

Many of those who have been infected with the virus, or who have lost their friends and family in recent months, will tell you how much they regret not taking these precautions when they had the chance.

We can only weather this storm if we immediately and fundamentally change our mindsets.

Compliance with the health regulations should not be simply about fearing the wrath of the law.

It should not be about reluctant observance or peer pressure.

This is about common sense.

It is about taking responsibility for our own health and the health of others.

It is about protecting our mothers and fathers, our grandparents, our siblings, our children, neighbours and friends.

Wearing a mask is not about your personal choice or your own appetite for risk. Instead, it is about protecting others.

If you wear a mask, and the person next to you does not, then you are not protected.

Only if everyone wears a mask can we protect all of us from infection.

By now, each of us knows someone who has been affected by this pandemic in some way.

There is none among us who can claim we have not heard of anyone becoming ill, or dying. This is a crisis that affects us all.

The sooner we understand that it could very well be us in that ambulance speeding by, or us in that hospital bed, or us being buried at that funeral, the sooner we come to the reality of what we are facing right now.

If we did not understand it before, we should now see just how quickly a situation can change for the worse.

The new year is upon us.

Our children will soon be going back to school.

Places of learning will reopen so we can resume our studies.

We will want to get back to work, to earning, and to looking for work.

We want life to resume.

We all have plans, hopes and dreams for 2021.

Perhaps the greatest of them all is the simplest.

We wish for the new year to bring better health, stability and prosperity for ourselves and our families.

We want it to be better than the year that has passed, and that was filled with such hardship.

This can become our common reality if we return to the spirit of solidarity that we have displayed throughout 2020.

We can and will defeat this pandemic, but only if we each play our part.

If you experience any mild symptoms, such as a fever, a dry cough or tiredness, isolate yourself immediately and cancel any plans that you might have had.

If you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, fever, cough, loss of smell or taste, seek medical attention while minimising contact with others.

Download the COVID Alert SA app and get notified if you have been in contact with someone who tests positive.

The app has already notified many thousands of people of their potential exposure to the virus and has prevented further transmission.

If you have been exposed, quarantine yourself immediately.

I know that most of you have heard this all before.

But I say it again because it is the only way we can keep ourselves and one another safe.

If we all rigorously adhere to basic precautions, we will see an immediate decline in infections and hospital admissions.

This New Year’s Eve will be different to any we have experienced before.

Several South Africans have suggested that we should celebrate the dawn of the New Year it in a different way.

They have suggested that Instead of parties, let us spend time with those closest to us.

There have been a number of suggestions in social media that Instead of fireworks, let us each light a candle.

Let us each light a candle in memory of those who have lost their lives, in tribute to those on the frontline who are working tirelessly to protect us from harm, in appreciation of the great sacrifices that have been made this past year, and in the confidence that the year ahead will bring health, peace and hope to our people.

I will light a candle in Cape Town at exactly midnight on New Year’s Eve in memory of those who have lost their lives and in tribute to those who are on the frontline working to save our lives and protect us from harm.

I ask that you join me wherever you are in this very important symbolic gesture.

Let us continue to work as one nation, united and determined.

We have done it before. We can do it again.

There will come a day when this pandemic will be over.

On that day, we must be able to look one another in the eye and say: ‘We gave it our all, we each played our part, we worked together as one nation, and we prevailed.’

May God Bless South Africa and protect her people.

Plot to oust President Ramaphosa exposed

Backers of embattled ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule have hatched a new plan to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Celebgossip.co.za has learnt that Magashule’s supporters – leaders from regions to national executive committee (NEC) members – met at a lodge in Bloemfontein on Friday night to discuss a plot to remove Ramaphosa, at the heart of which is a call for a special national conference.

This was few hours after Magashule was released on R200 000 bail after he appeared briefly in court on 21 charges of corruption and fraud, alternatively theft and money-laundering. The matter was postponed to February 19 for the addition of at least three more accused persons on the charge sheet to join Magashule with the rest of the accused.

He was ordered to surrender his passport and must inform the investigating team if he wishes to travel abroad. He was also ordered not to be in contact with any witnesses, particularly his former secretary, Moroadi Cholota, who has turned state witness.

Present at the meeting were NEC members Supra Mahumapelo, Tony Yengeni, Joe Maswanganyi and Bongani Bongo, among others. Provincial leaders including Mpumalanga secretary Lindi Ntshalintshali were also in attendance.

A leader who attended the meeting said charging Magashule was a declaration of war by the Ramaphosa faction.

“These are trumped- up charges. It is clear that this is a political campaign against the SG [Magashule]. If we fail convening the special conference, branches will have to use the national general council for Cyril to go,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It was agreed that the leaders would go to branches to mobilise them for a special conference. The faction was banking on the Free State, North West, Kwazulu-natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the North West to deliver the majority needed to convene a special conference, at which they would remove Ramaphosa.

The group was also preparing to put up a big fight should the Ramaphosa faction try to use the next NEC meeting to push for Magashule to step aside while he faces criminal charges.

Another leader who attended the meeting, where it is understood that the leaders expressed their anger at Ramaphosa, said the meeting was a “strong statement” about their intentions to take the fight to the president.

The faction also discussed what they deemed selective arrests by the Hawks. They said it was unfair that Magashule was charged for failure to exercise oversight on the asbestos matter while Gauteng Premier David Makhura, for instance, had not been charged for deaths that occurred during the Life Esidimeni saga and the PPE scandals.

Addressing the crowd outside the court on Friday, Magashule intimated that there were moves for convening a special conference. He said it was only branches of the ANC that could remove him from his position. “I was elected by branches. We must go to a special conference and the branches must say to me: ‘Comrade Magashule step aside’. I will then do so because it will be coming from the basic units of the ANC, the branches.”

The asbestos audit project was awarded to the late Igo Mpambani’s Diamond Trading and Blackhead Consulting’s Edwin Sodi by the Free State department of human settlement.