coronavirus south africa

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Coronavirus in SA: Security fears high following Western Cape ‘false alarm’

The Western Cape – like the rest of South Africa – has no reported cases of coronavirus. But just how safe are we from the disease?

coronavirus south africa

Image via Adobe Stock

After more than 60 cases had been tested, South Africa remains coronavirus-free on Wednesday 12 February – despite the mischievous postings of some Twitter accounts. It was earlier claimed that there had been a death in the Western Cape linked to the virus this week, but those rumours have been quashed.

Is coronavirus in the Western Cape? Nope, that’s fake news

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) senior communications manager Sinenhlanhla Jimoh shared a statement on the matter earlier today. The official comprehensively rubbished the false social media post, and encouraged South Africans to avoid spreading misleading information.

“We have noted false information on Twitter insinuating that there was a coronavirus death in the Western Cape. We can confirm that there has been no positive case of COVID-19 nor a death so far in South Africa.”

“Furthermore, we would like to ask the public to disregard rumours of this nature and discourage the spreading of false information. Should there be a positive case of the coronavirus, official information will be communicated by the National Department of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the NICD.” 

DA shocked by North West border security

The Western Cape may be in the clear, but issues have been raised by Gavin Edwards – he is the DA’s North West spokesperson on health and social development, and the politician recently completed an oversight at the Kopfontein Border Post. However, he was mortified by what he learned. Allegedly, there are 12-hour periods where travellers “are not screened”, and only one person is present at this port of entry.

“An oversight inspection to the Kopfontein Border Post situated between Botswana and Zeerust revealed that only one port health inspector is on duty and that no screenings are conducted between 19:00 and 7:00 or during tea- or lunchtimes.”

“While the rest of the world intensified efforts to curb the possible spread of this virus, North West residents remain at risk. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) announcement that the coronavirus is ‘a very grave threat’ should serve as an adequate warning against this virus and move the Department of Health into urgent action.”

Can South Africa protect itself from coronavirus?

Edwards also complained about the need for the government to improve their defence protocols, revealing:

  • An official on duty confirmed that she is the only person carrying out screenings;
  • The Health Department have been asked to deploy more officials, not only to Kopfontein, but to all ports of entry; and
  • The DA have also asked Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to “bring South Africa in line with the rest of the world” when it comes to installing proper coronavirus precautions – that includes putting SANDF troops at the border.


The politician fears that Mzansi is lagging behind other countries when it comes to keeping coronavirus at bay, and although no one has tested positive for the disease in this country, Edwards believes that it is now time to strategically deploy the troops to certain border points.