South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 22 July

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by checking out the day’s major headlines on Wednesday 22 July.

As South Africa braces for a wave of peaceful protest organised by disgruntled restaurateurs, the City of Cape Town struggles to contain riotous action in Khayelitsha and Mfuleni. Meanwhile, a recent study on tobacco use during lockdown has government fumbling for answers to support the continued ban.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 22 JULY

‘Million seats on the streets’: Restaurants protest lockdown laws

The embattled hospitality industry, which has suffered severe financial distress as a result of controversial lockdown laws sanctioned by government’s Disaster Management Act, will take to the streets today in protest. Spearheaded by the Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rasa), which has consistently criticised government’s decision to limit trading hours and revoke the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption, the ‘million seats on the streets’ protest aims to bring attention to plight of eateries and cafes.

South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi confirmed that he had received notice of the planned protest action. The peaceful protest calls for establishments to place tables and chairs in adjacent roads between 12:00 and 14:00. The demonstration further called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to recognise the hardships experienced by the industry, saying:

“Dear Mr President. We cordially invite you to take up a seat at any of our empty tables to talk to us about the hardships we are facing.”

Law enforcement agencies have warned of traffic disruptions as a result of the protest action.

Khayelitsha unrest continues, N2 motorists warned of attacks

The volatile situation in Khayelitsha shows no signs of abating, following a series of violent demonstrations which razed government infrastructure and threatened the lives of motorists using the N2 highway. Tensions emanating from the City of Cape Town’s anti-land invasion programmes in the area saw thousands of residents take to the streets this week.

A heavy police presence in Khayelitsha and Mfuleni comes after a newly-constructed COVID-19 clinic was gutted by arsonists. In the days that followed, an Eskom maintenance vehicle was also engulfed by flames and local fire department infrastructure damaged by rocks flung by rioters.

Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato and Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith condemned the wanton destruction of public property in Khayelitsha. Smith confirmed that vehicles travelling along the N2 highway had also been attacked by rioters, with some travellers injured by stone throwing.

Police continue to maintain a heavy presence in the area amid fighting running battles with demonstrators.

New cigarette report has government’s reasoning up in smoke

A new report on smoking habits and the impact of lockdown’s tobacco ban has shattered one of government’s defence arguments used to uphold the prohibition in court. The study, undertaken and published by the University of Cape Town, has shown that, in addition to the price of black-market cigarettes soaring by up to 457%, more smokers have reverted to illicit trading over the past two months.

This is in direct opposition to government’s assertions that the prolonged tobacco ban would reduce the number of smokers and thereby ease strain on the country’s healthcare system. According to the study conducted by UCT’s Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products, 91% of smokers had restored to purchasing illegal cigarettes in May and 93% of smokers had chosen to go the illegal route — as opposed to quitting in — in June.

This study, which is a damning indictment of government’s primary legal defence, comes as the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) awaits word on its leave to appeal a judgement which upheld the tobacco ban. The verdict is due this week.

COVID-19 UIF benefit extended to August

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Boitumelo Booi says the COVID-19 Temporary Employers/ Employee Relief Fund, set up to help those who found themselves out of work due to lockdown, will be extended to August.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the national state of disaster to August as the COVID-19 pandemic spurs national efforts to mitigate the spread of infections.

“I must say, Honourable Members, that it gives me great pleasure to also announce that following due diligence and consultation with the UIF actuaries and in line with the President’s decision to extend the life of the Disaster Management Act until the 15th of August 2020, we have taken a decision to similarly extend the COVID-19 TERS benefit until the 15th of August 2020,” she said. 

Booi said this when she led a debate on the department’s budget vote via a virtual National Assembly mini-plenary on Tuesday in place of Minister Thulas Nxesi, who could not make the plenary due to ill health.

Nxesi was admitted to hospital for better medical care on the advice of his medical doctors last night after testing positive for COVID-19 over a week ago.

Addressing the plenary, Booi said the benefit structure and existing criteria would remain the same and applications for April and May will be closed by the end of July although applications already received for these two months will be processed – this is the guarantee that the department gave to the people.

To date, some R34 billion in benefits has been distributed through employers in 7.4 million payments to recipients and this was in line with a commitment to provide income support for three months. (Source: SAnews)

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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