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There’s no time to catch up’: Covid-19 test backlog hits 21,904 in Eastern Cape

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

The DA blames health department head Dr Thobile Mbengashe for the collapse of public health in the Eastern Cape and has proposed a plan to deal with the Covid-19 testing backlog.

The Eastern Cape is sitting with a huge Covid-19 testing backlog, with 21,904 samples yet to be tested.

This is according to a letter sent to the Eastern Cape health portfolio committee by National Health Laboratory Service Eastern Cape manager Tabita Makula.

In the letter, dated May 21, Makula said the eight laboratories had accumulated a backlog because of changes in the province’s testing strategy.

“The districts started testing asymptomatic PUIs [persons under investigation], resulting in an increase in number of samples received,” he said. “The laboratories are receiving samples daily and there is no time to catch up and clear the backlog.

“The testing strategy or priorities for Covid-19 testing in the province need to change. This will reduce the number of samples received and improve turnaround time for results.

DA MPL Jane Cowley shared the letter after a digital media conference where she outlined a five-point plan to help the health department in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The five points are:

Ramp up screening and testing by using a targeted approach in all hotspot areas;

Enforce quarantine of all persons under investigation while awaiting test results to prevent cluster and local transmission;

Ensure all vacant funded posts are filled immediately;

Double the number of personnel in the provincial laboratories which are now analysing tests to speed up results; and

Communicate the respective reproduction number per subdistrict.

“Every day that the health department’s head of department, Dr Thobile Mbengashe, remains in charge, is another day closer to the total collapse of public health in the province,” she said.

Cowley said Mbengashe was responsible for the “disastrous” provincial response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“After two months of lockdown the province is still nowhere near having the extra beds, personal protective equipment or human resources to deal with the crisis,” she said. “The DA believes that there are enough competent and hardworking health-care workers in the province to turn around the system, but this will require strong, honest and passionate leadership.

“The response to Covid-19 requires authentic and skilled leadership,” she said.

Health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said it was unfortunate the DA chose this time to personalise health issues.

“The enemy we are facing requires us all to pull together to defeat the enemy,” he said. “We can’t politicise issues. We must come up with solutions. It is not going to help by pointing out individuals.”

He said the department faced many challenges, including funding constraints.

“This is not the time to point fingers but a time for action.”

Makula, meanwhile, wrote that the laboratories were running out of storage space for the samples.

“The testing strategy for the province has changed from the initial National Institute For Communicable Diseases of SA guidelines to include testing of asymptomatic patients.

This, he said, resulted in delays and laboratories incurring backlogs.

“Test kits that could have been used for priority samples such as hospitalised patients or primary contacts were used for testing asymptomatic patients.”

According to his letter, Buffalo City metro has the biggest backlog with 6,437 cases pending.

It is followed by the OR Tambo district (3,505) and Nelson Mandela Bay (3,000).

Mthatha district municipality closes two offices after employee tests positive for Covid-19

The OR Tambo district municipality in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, has closed two of its offices after an employee tested positive for Covid-19

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Clarity on level three Covid-19 regulations expected on Wednesday

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

Set your clock for key government briefings on Wednesday.

SA’s national coronavirus command council will brief the country on the regulations relating to the Covid-19 level 3 restrictions on Wednesday.

The briefing is expected to start at 12.30pm.

This follows the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the weekend that the country will move down a level from stage 4 from June 1.

The government’s social cluster will also provide an update on socio-economic interventions for Covid-19 level 3 restrictions on Wednesday evening. This is expected to start at 6pm.

On Tuesday, the National Council of Provinces is receiving a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic by the minister of co-operative governance, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.

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What to do if someone dies of Covid-19 in your home

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

New rules regarding the handling of bodies of Covid-19 victims have been gazetted and signed off by health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.

If someone dies of Covid-19 at home, you are not to touch the body at all, their clothing can only be touched by someone wearing gloves and then the garments must be disinfected with a substance containing 70% alcohol.

These are among the rules gazetted by the health department on Monday and signed off by health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The rules also dictate how bodies should be handled when being moved to mortuaries.

The regulations state that recently deceased bodies can still expel air from the lungs when being moved – posing a risk of Covid-19 spread even after death.

“In the event that a person infected with Covid-19 dies at home, family members must not, at any stage, handle the body. An EMS [emergency medical service] must be called immediately to confirm death before removal by an undertaker,” state the regulations.

Cremation highly recommended for Covid-19 victims

To minimise possible exposure, cremation is highly recommended for those who have died of Covid-19, some of the rules gazetted by the health …

NEWS

“The act of moving a recently deceased patient onto a hospital trolley for transportation to the mortuary might be sufficient to expel small amounts of air from the lungs and thereby present a minor risk.

“The belongings of the deceased person should be handled with gloves and cleaned with a detergent, followed by disinfection with a solution of at least 70% ethanol or 0.1% (1,000 ppm) bleach.

“Clothing and other fabric belongings of the deceased should be machine-washed with warm water at 60-90°C and laundry detergent. If machine washing is not possible, linens can be soaked in hot water and soap in a large drum using a stick to stir and being careful to avoid splashing. The drum should then be emptied, and the linens soaked in 0.05% chlorine for approximately 30 minutes. Finally, the laundry should be rinsed with clean water and the linens should be allowed to dry in full sunlight.”

This is to reduce the chances of the coronavirus spreading to other members of the household.

The regulations state that any handling, transporting or “final disposal” of Covid-19 victims’ bodies should only be done by people wearing “suitable personal protective clothing at all times”.

NEWS

“All persons handling Covid-19 mortal remains should practice good personal hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and water and using personal protective clothing. No person may at any given time make contact with, or touch, the mortal remains without wearing the appropriate PPE,” state the regulations.

Municipalities should ensure that burials or cremations of infected bodies take place at “suitably approved” facilities.

“Metropolitan and district municipalities should ensure that they identify areas that may be utilised for mass burial should the need for same arise,” state the regulations.

A body bag should be used for transferring the body to the mortuary. Those handling the body at this point should use full PPE. The outside of the body bag and the trolley carrying the body must be disinfected.

NEWS

“Once in the hospital or private mortuary, it would be acceptable to open the body bag for family viewing by family members (one at a time) only (mortuary attendant must wear full PPE) at the mortuary.

“Family must be provided with masks and gloves for the viewing and should not touch the body with bare hands.

“Washing or preparing of the mortal remains is allowed, provided those carrying out the task wear PPE such as gloves, masks and waterproof coverall and all PPEs used must be disposed of immediately. However, the washing and preparing of the mortal remains by family members is not encouraged due to the health risks.

“If the family wishes to dress the body, they may do so at the funeral undertaker’s premises prior to the body being placed in the body bag and those carrying out the task should wear PPE such as gloves, masks and waterproof coverall apron and all PPEs used must be disposed of immediately.”

The body, according to the new rules, may not be delivered prior to the burial or cremation.

“A funeral undertaker must deliver the mortal remains on the morning of burial and not the night before the burial, and must ensure that the remains are not touched during viewing.”

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Menzi Ngubane’s wife slams reports that he is critically ill

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

Menzi Ngubane’s health scare left fans concerned.

The family of veteran actor Menzi Ngubane has lambasted “inaccurate and unverified news” that claimed the actor is critically ill, leading to widespread panic among fans.

Menzi’s fans flooded Twitter under the hashtag #PrayForMenziNgubane after Ilanga newspaper reported that he had been hospitalised and was in a critical condition.

However, Menzi’s wife and family issued a statement to set the record straight.

“I would like to confirm that my husband is receiving family support and recuperating after doctors were concerned about his health,” said Sikie Ngubane.

Menzi’s family said they were concerned that his condition was exaggerated and appealed to South Africans to refrain from spreading the news.

“The family is also aware that due to the spread of this inaccurate and unverified news, his fans have even gone as far as sending their messages of his speedy recovery on social media, spawning an unwarranted social media panic. We understand their concerns and support for Menzi, but as the family, we appeal to South Africans to refrain from spreading news that have not been verified and confirmed by the family.

“To this end, we wish to continue as the family to offer him the support he needs following his recent visit to the doctors. It is this visit that has been grossly exaggerated by newspapers and social media users,” read the statement.

Menzi’s family went on to thank his supporters for their well-wishes and asked them to respect their privacy during this time.

“We are aware that South Africans are concerned about his health and would like to thank them for their prayers, and appeal to them to respect hospital/doctor/patient confidentiality. Menzi wishes to take this opportunity to fully recover and get back to work as soon as possible.”

Menzi suffered kidney failure and subsequently underwent a transplant in 2014.

Menzi recently joined the cast of The Queen.

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We can go back to Level 4 and close schools’, says Angie Motshekga

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

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A tough-talking Angie Motshekga has moved to address fears about children returning to school, saying that all facilities can close if there’s a problem.

Education Minister Angie Motshekga has had to ride out the storm over the past seven days, after she confirmed that children would go back to school on Monday 1 June. This date will also be the first day South Africa enters Level 3 of lockdown – but the Cabinet member is fully aware that things could change instantly.

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ANGIE MOTSHEKGA SAYS ‘SCHOOLS CAN CLOSE’ AT ANYTIME

Speaking during The Big Debate, Angie Motshekga made it clear that the country could quite easily move back a lockdown phase if the infection rate starts to rise uncontrollably once more. She says that schools could be closed if the education authorities found ‘difficulties’ in trying to keep learning environments safe.

“If things are not working, we will have to go back to Level 4; the same with education – if we open and we experience difficulties, there is nothing stopping us from closing schools. We are dealing with something we do not know. When we have to reverse, we will, but we cannot be standing on the banks forever.”

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Angie Motshekga

RETURNING TO SCHOOL DURING LEVEL 3

Motshekga also went on the defensive with regards to the government’s Level 3 decision itself. Vocal critics – particularly those from the EFF – say it’s too early to move ahead with the restrictions.

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However, the minister has reminded South Africans exactly what the point of a lockdown is: It cannot eradicate the disease, but rather, it serves to help the government prepare and avoid an ‘overwhelming’ of the healthcare system. According to the Cabinet, the time is right to take a tentative step forward.

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“When we declared lockdown, we said it was only to flatten the curve of infections. We’re now at the stage where we think the health system can cope with a rise in cases. We must keep informing ourselves and remembering what the intention of these regulations were.”

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It’s blacks who’ll be dying in numbers in lockdown level 3: EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

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EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said President Cyril Ramaphosa has ‘given up’ the fight against Covid-19.

EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi says Cyril Ramaphosa has “given up” the fight against Covid-19 after the president announced on Sunday night that SA will move to level three of the national lockdown from June 1.

The eased lockdown will allow for, among other activities, the sale of alcohol for home consumption and the end of the national curfew. The president cautioned that Covid-19 remains a threat and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

“Now we look once again to you, your actions and to your sense of responsibility. We look to you to uphold the sanctity of life and the dignity of all people. We look to you to protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us,” said Ramaphosa.

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Taking to social media after the speech, Ndlozi lamented that black people are now at greater risk of contracting Covid-19 as many do not have access to quality health care.

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi@MbuyiseniNdlozi

Ramaphosa should have just said “we have given up on saving lives and fighting Covid-19”.

The tragedy is: it is black people who will be dying in numbers as they have no access to healthcare.

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He slammed the government for ignoring recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the relaxation of lockdown levels.

EWN reported last week that health minister Zweli Mkhize said WHO standards don’t allow for easing of the lockdown unless the infection rate is on the decline.

He admitted that SA was nowhere near such improvement, but said hunger and the collapsing economy would not allow for the extension of limited economic activity caused by the lockdown.

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi@MbuyiseniNdlozi

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Despite @WHO advice that SA is not ready to move to level 3, Ramaphosa has declared the move anyway. No science whatsoever supporting ease of lockdown. Covid19 cases are only starting to take off

Alcohol will make managing hospitals futile. Trauma units will be overwhelmed again

Such move of easing lockdown rules and caring more about the economy. Will come with it cost and lot of lives will be lost.

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COVID-19 SA UPDATE: confirmed cases 23 615 with 481 deaths and 11 917 recoveries

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

*Current Status of Cases of COVID-19 in South Africa*

*Total cases: 23 615*

New cases – 1032

Full recoveries (Confirmed Negative) – 11 917

Deaths – 481

*The breakdown per province of total infections is as follows:*

Gauteng – 2993

Western Cape – 15396

KwaZulu-Natal – 1882

Eastern Cape – 2748

Free State – 208

Limpopo – 132

Mpumalanga – 102

North West – 109

Northern Cape – 45

Unallocated – 0

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 23 615.

A total of 596 777 tests have been conducted to date, with 12 992 tests done in the past 24 hours.

For the latest news go to https://twitter.com/HealthZA or https://sacoronavirus.co.za/category/press-releases-and-notices/

We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and appreciate the health workers who treated these patients.

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800 support staff needed urgently to keep Eastern Cape schools sanitised

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

Hundreds of recruits will be contracted as support staff for three months to help sanitise pupils and ensure physical distancing at Eastern Cape schools.

The Eastern Cape education department is scrambling to hire 800 unemployed people to help in the first phase of schools reopening next week.

These recruits, employed as support staff, will be contracted for three months to help sanitise pupils and also make sure physical distancing rules are adhered to.

A circular by the department states a school with more than 1,000 pupils may hire up to four people, who will be paid a stipend of R2,500 a month.

Schools will reopen on June 1 for grades 7 and 12 nationally, education minister Angie Motshekga said last week.

Principals, school management teams, teachers and non-teaching staff will be at work on Monday to continue preparations to ensure readiness for the return of pupils.

However, department spokesperson Loyiso Pulumani said schools without ablution facilities will not be opened. “Instead, pupils at those school will be taken to other schools,” he said, adding that the department had covered its bases in ensuring readiness to open schools.

Pulumani said the move to recruit the helpers was to ensure adequate support in schools.

“We said let’s recruit unemployed people to assist with [the] sanitising station, as well as making sure the school is clean and that pupils adhere to physical distancing rules. Recruitment will take place this week.”

The job will be a fixed contract of three months. Deployment will be based on the number of pupils at a school, he said.

“There is no emphasis on qualifications, but people must be able to read and write.

“We can’t expect teachers to sanitise pupils and do that process of screening. Essentially, children in school need monitoring and they [the recruits] will make sure that within the school walls, physical distancing is adhered to.”

The workers will be screened every day, as will teachers.

“The recruitment will be done by principals and the SGB. Money to pay these workers will be deposited into school accounts,” he said.

NEWS

Pulumani said the necessary protective clothing had been delivered to schools, but not all had received it yet.

“We expect to finish deliveries on Tuesday. PPE is a minimum requirement. By the time children go back to school, PPE will be delivered. The PPE we are providing is for everyone in school. Pupils will receive two masks, a sanitiser and hand soap.”

Many schools in the rural Eastern Cape have no running water and sanitation. SowetanLIVE’s sister publication DispatchLIVE has reported several times about schools such as Mcheni Primary School in Tsolo, where the only source of water for children is from a river they share with animals and pupils have to relieve themselves in the open or in dangerous pit latrines.

Pulumani said they were working with the department of water and sanitation to provide water tanks in schools with water issues.

“That process should be finished by Friday. We know the province has issues of schools with no toilets. We have asked our moderators to collect lists of schools without toilets. Schools with inadequate toilet facilities will not be opened. Pupils will be taken to other schools.”

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Open taverns bring alcohol closer to the people: liquor outlet owners

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

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Bringing alcohol to the township will limit the spread of the coronavirus, claim shebeen owners.

Several liquor traders’ associations have teamed up to plead with the government to allow taverns and shebeens to operate during lockdown level 3.

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The associations, which reportedly represent about 50,000 shebeens and taverns, say selling booze in the townships will be beneficial for the government’s aim to quash the spread of the coronavirus.

The traders suggested that bringing alcohol closer to the people who consume it will ensure less overcrowding at major liquor outlets and reduce the need for travelling to buy booze, while also rejuvenating the township economy.

In a statement, the associations said: “With between 80% and 90% of alcohol sales in townships being driven by taverns and shebeens, only allowing alcohol retailers to open in level 3 will result in limited sales points, which are often located on the outskirts of townships. These points will be inundated with customers eager to purchase.

SAB backs regulated sale of alcohol under level 3 of the lockdown

SA Breweries (SAB) said on Sunday it had put forward several proposals to government on the regulated sale of alcohol under level 3 lockdown.

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“This mass descent on very limited stockists will result in non-adherence to social distancing measures and will no doubt undo much of the good work being done by government in its attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19 within townships.”

The consortium also highlighted that travelling with alcohol would be a problem for many township dwellers, who had to go out of their way to reach it while “alcohol is not permitted on public transport”.

The consortium said the taverns and shebeens would follow strict guidelines, including limiting the hours and number of sales.

The consortium said it was also worried about the large number of liquor distributors who were operating without permits prior to the lockdown. These are people who stand to be left behind should the government open sales for legitimate permit holders.

“Beyond the impact of limited outlets on virus spread, the consortium is also alarmed by the huge financial consequences brought about by the lack of shebeen and tavern sales on the permit holders and operators and their staff. Each tavern usually supports numerous families and provides a vital cash flow into the local community,” it said.

Winston Hector, representative of the consortium and president of the National Liquor Forum, said: “As the industry has not been permitted to operate for almost two months, this sector of the township economy has already been severely impacted.

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“Our members have not been able to pay wages to their employees and to service other operating expenses in their businesses. Should the sale of alcohol continue to be suspended, many of our members many never recover post the lockdown period.”

He stressed that through alcohol sales, many families were able to sustain themselves and send their children to school, but the lockdown threatened their livelihood.

“We need this industry to continue to support and feed our families, educate our children and develop the next generation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, doctors, and nurses – many of whom our businesses have afforded us the opportunity to educate,” he added.

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Should the government allow shebeen and tavern owners to operate, the consortium said they would work with the police to ensure that lockdown regulations are adhered to and social distancing is implemented.

The group said they could open their taverns and shebeens for the government to use for community screening and testing, as well as to distribute educational material.

They also offered to work with manufacturers in the industry to implement a “click and collect” system, which would require buyers to place their orders beforehand to avoid queues for purchases.

In a bid to protect tavern workers and customers, they said they would educate tavern owners and workers about how to protect themselves from the virus and make sure they always use personal protective equipment.

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Alcohol to be sold as SA shifts to level 3 from June 1

Alcohol will be sold when level 3 kicks in on June 1.

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Gauteng principals declare schools ready after receiving PPEs

By: illovuonline news team
26-05-2020
Image: supplied

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Principal Isaac Thloloe and his team at East Bank High in Alexandra.

Schools in Gauteng have received personal protective equipment (PPE) and they are now gearing up to welcome grade 7 and 12 learners on Monday.

On Monday, teachers and principals returned to schools for the first time after more than two months to prepare for the reopening of schools and also received safety material such PPE from the provincial department.

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited some schools to check the preparations ahead of the reopening on Monday.

At Bryanston High School, in northern Johannesburg, the staff came out in numbers to prepare for the reopening of schools following the announcement by basic education minister Angie Motshekga for them to return to work to prepare for the reopening of schools on June 1.

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The principal, John Skelton said his school was ready and confirmed that they had received all the safety material.

“About two weeks back, we had a company that came to clean and disinfect our classes. Safety and security is the most important for us and we are ready to welcome our Grade 12 pupils,” he said.

East Bank High School principal Isaac Thloloe said they had received sanitisers, masks and two temperature screening devices. In other schools in the area, the school management teams were locked in meetings.

But Lesufi raised concerns about the issue of business people who were blocking the delivery of personal protective equipment, saying Tshwane south and north were the hardest hit.

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“We have 103 schools that were supposed to receive PPE material but 65 have not received it. We are finding ourselves caught in between people who believe we have given a contract to Bidvest company and we have explained to them that Bidvest is only donating the PPE material, they have not won a tender,” Lesufi said.

“We are ready to welcome our teachers and pupils back to schools. Because we had a lot of incidents of violence and break-ins at our schools, we have put out a plan. We hope that by Friday all our teachers will be back at schools.

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“There are other teacher unions encouraging their members not to report back to work. We are dealing with the issue of PPEs. We deliver the safety material first and there-after teachers can report back to work.”

Lesufi said teachers who are not fit and ready to start were given forms to fill so that the department can replace them.

Schools in most of SA far from ready, says Sadtu

“Principals need to remain on stand-by to collect all available provisions and to ensure that systems are put in place.”

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“We are putting additional cleaners on stand-by as we don’t want the gap where someone will say they are sick and cannot come to work. The safety of our learners and staff members is important to us.”

Lesufi said he was aware that some parents were worried about their children and in Gauteng they were not only dealing with class contact but were making the home-schooling system available to every child and parent.

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“The online and e-Learning system will be available. There must be no parent that must declare that they should rather have their child repeating a grade because they fear for their children’s safety,” he said.

Meanwhile, schools are now being targeted for the PPEs meant for pupils and teachers. Since Saturday, three schools have been broken into and had their PPEs stolen by criminals in Gauteng and KZN.

Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona said thugs broke into Sikhulisile Primary School twice and thugs stole all the PPEs.

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“We are preparing for the re-opening of schools and such incidents will derail us from doing so,” Mabona said.

On Saturday, KZN education MEC Kwazi Mshengu also wrote on Twitter that two of their schools were broken into and the equipment was stolen.

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