Max Hurrell remixes Fikile Mbalula eat the virus comment

Minister Fikile Mbalula briefs media on COVID-19 level 3 lockdown Transport regulations and directives / GCIS

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 19 June

Will the taxi industry go ahead with its plans to shutdown the streets?

by TheSouthAfrican.com

19-06-2020 05:30

in News

Minister Fikile Mbalula briefs media on COVID-19 level 3 lockdown Transport regulations and directives / GCIS

Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South Africa; review all major headlines on Friday 19 June.

In an attempt to avert a public transport meltdown, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula meets with disgruntled taxi associations, while the president’s proclamation of relaxed lockdown regulations pertaining to ‘Advanced Level 3’ come under serious scrutiny.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 19 JUNE

Mbalula’s last ditch effort to halt taxi shutdown

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, who has spent most of the week in robust discussions with taxi associations, is expected to reveal details of government’s previously-rejected relief proposal and the way forward for the country’s embattled public transport system.

In addition to announcing sharp fare increases, which will come into effect on 1 July, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has vowed to orchestrate a ‘shutdown’ in Gauteng. Tensions between the taxi industry and government have been simmering for months, primarily as a rest of lockdown limitations on minibus capacities which have had harsh financial consequences for both owners and drivers.

Recently, Santaco rejected a once-off relief offer tabled by government. It’s reported that taxi associations are looking for 300% more than Mbalula is willing to offer.

When will Advanced Level 3 lockdown regulations come into effect?

South African consumers and business owners are hoping for clarity concerning the changes to Level 3 lockdown regulations. Announcements made by President Ramaphosa, which gave previously-excluded sectors of the economy the green light to operate, still need to be ratified by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC).

Government is under legal pressure to finalise regulations before 22 June, when the matter tabled by the Democratic Alliance is due to be heard before the Western Cape High Court. It’s anticipated that regulations will either be ratified and implemented early next week or on 1 July.

SASSA clarifies rejected R350 grant applications

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it has been receiving many grievances about the declined R350 grant applications, which did not meet the approval requirements.

However, according to the agency, the majority of rejected applications are from people already on the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) database or qualifying to receive it.

They are now advising claimants to contact the Department of Employment and Labour to either apply for UIF or follow up with their applications.

People who qualify to apply for the grant

For one to qualify for the COVID-19 grant, they must be either unemployed without any kind of income, or not receiving any kind of government assistance, such as UIF and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the agency said.

They must also not be recipients of any social grants or any other financial support, and must be above the age of 18.

SASSA said they are verifying all applications by matching their data with other public and private databases to eliminate possibilities of “double-dipping” to ensure that only deserving applicants receive this financial aid.

According to SASSA CEO, Totsie Memela, they are aware this has caused unhappiness from applicants. She urged people to familiarise themselves with the criteria. (Source: SAnews)

Steel producer fined R3.6 million

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has welcomed a R3.6 million fine handed to a major steel producing company after it admitted to contravening sections of the Air Quality Act by exceeding the minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards.

The judgment, said the Department in a statement on Thursday, sends a strong signal that the air quality regulatory environment must be respected by industry and government alike. The judgment was handed down by the Vereenigning Regional Court last week.

The sentence included an order for ArcelorMittal South Africa to pay an amount of R3.63 million to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

“In terms of the court order, this will be utilised for the supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of air quality monitoring instruments for the benefit of the Sedibeng Municipality,” the department said.

AMSA entered into a plea agreement with the State in which it admitted to violating sections of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act by exceeding minimum hydrogen sulphide emissions standards. (Source: SAnews)