The Bulletin News – Page 210

COVID-19 Update – Detailed Mpumalanga Statistics.

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April 6, 2020

COVID-19 Update – Detailed Mpumalanga Statistics.

The Bulletin has been inundated with alarming stories about more people that tested positive for the Coronavirus.

The social media platforms are buzzing with all kinds of news regarding COVID-19. It would appear that there is a race to determine who can place news the fastest. The problem with this type of reporting is that the facts are mostly not verified and cause confusion and some cases spread panic.

These types of messages can land you in hot water as there are strict rules regarding the reporting on COVID-19 as well as the spreading of fake news. Please note that calling facts fake news are also fake news and could be interpreted as such according to the regulations.

The Mpumalanga Department of Health released the following statistics regarding the number of positive cases in Mpumalanga. Please familiarise yourself with the figures.

Mpumalanga COVID-19 Statistics:

On the April 5, 2020 Mpumalanga recorded 18 cases in three districts.

Ehlanzeni District (9 cases)

Mbombela – 4

Nkomazi – 5

Gert Sibande District (5 cases)

Govan Mbeki – 1

Lekwa – 1

Pixley ka Seme – 3

Nkangala District (4 cases)

Emalahleni – 1

Steve Tswete – 1

Emakhazeni – 2

No fatalities recorded and two (2) patients recovered so far.

The Bulletin would like to ask everybody to refrain from spreading everything that they receive. It would be wise to accept the fact that not all things received on Facebook and WhatsApp or Twitter is the real thing.

We at The Bulletin pride ourselves in bringing you news that is factually correct. Be sure to follow our page.

The Minister of Health released the following Statement:

As at April 5, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 1655.

This is an increase of 70 from the previously reported cases.

The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted to date is 56 873 and increase of 2 936 from those reported yesterday.

REPORTING OF CONFIRMED DEATHS It is with sadness that we report yet another two deaths related to COVID-19. This takes the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in South Africa to 11.

The first deceased patient is an 82 year old female who was admitted to ICU on the 29th March 2020. She had presented with fever, short breath, body pains, dry cough and sore throat. She also had comorbidities that included hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol.

The second deceased patient is an 86 year old male admitted to hospital on the 26th March 2020, with a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia and respiratory distress. He had an underlying condition of chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD).

We convey our condolences to the family of the deceased and thank the health workers who were treating these deceased patients.

MEETING OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE AFRICAN UNION’S CONTINENTAL RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Yesterday, a meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the African Union’s Continental Response to COVID-19 was held. This meeting we co-chaired, as His Excellency, President MC Ramaphosa is the current Chairperson of the African Union.

This meeting was attended by 10 Health Ministers from African countries who received a briefing from the Director of the Africa Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC), Dr John Nkengasong.

The Ministers of Health acknowledged that the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health disaster. We jointly shared the concern about the disastrous effect this pandemic may have in the African continent, given the levels of poverty and explosive spread in densely populated areas of human settlement.

All countries shared their experiences thus far and it was agreed that we must strengthen our coordination efforts as a continent in order to limit the number of deaths and reduce the uncontrollable spread of this pandemic.

We further agreed that we will share best practices and embark on a strategy to fundraise jointly in order to ensure self-sufficiency, promote manufacturing within the continent and pool procurement within member countries. This will contribute in balancing our public health care strategies whilst contributing in protecting economies of our countries.

As AU Health Ministers, we also supported the initiative to coordinate technical experts, researchers and clinicians under the umbrella of the ACDC.

MEETING WITH TRADITIONAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

We held a meeting with the Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) National Sector Leaders. The sector expressed its support for government’s effort in dealing with the COVID-19 and committed to support initiatives such as tracing of contacts.

THPs indicated their willingness to participate in government’s campaign for a hygienic behaviour to the communities they serve. This includes washing of hands, covering your mouth when coughing and social distancing.

The sector also expressed its concerns about their non-recognition as essential services providers. They presented to me that there are many citizens who consult with them and rely on their traditional herbs and remedies for their ailments. Since the lockdown, these THPs have since not been able to provide these herbal remedies to their patients.

This will assist in coordinating the approach of them referring patients to public health care facilities should they suspect that they may have the COVID-19 virus.

We acknowledge that government, through the Department of Health has recognised the role of Traditional Health Practitioners through the formation of the interim structure and the passing of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act. Therefore, it is important to properly define their role during this lockdown period. I further emphasised the importance of this sector to comply with all the policies and regulations that government has stipulated. This will ensure that no one takes advantage of vulnerable citizens in the name of traditional healing.

The THPs and I agreed that there must be an ongoing channel of communication with the department for proper coordination and information sharing, that will assist in this fight against the COVID-19 virus.

Dr Zwelini Mkhize

Minister of Health

Today’s industry dictates its own standards.

News

Ane Prinsloo

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April 5, 2020

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Today’s industry dictates their own standards. The amount of customers rises daily for all those companies which might be constantly strengthening the quality of the work. Those who are at the same stage of development over an extended period of time, sometimes at risk, among the losers.

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Impak Aanddiens 5 April: “LIFE101” Week 3 (18H30)

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 5, 2020

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Impak Aanddiens 5 April: “LIFE101” Week 3 (18H30)

Baie welkom by Impak! Ons chat oor LIFE101: Wat is die werklik belangrik in die lewe?

Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere: 1.Gee Aanlyn (Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr: 1510140016) 2.Gee deur Zapper – vind ons QR code in die aankondigings tydens diens.

Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (072 133 6130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/. Ons sal graag met jou gesels.

Dankie dat jy hierdie Impak saam met ons beleef het! Share gerus hierdie video…

Two women shot in Domestic Violence incidents, One dead, another critical.

Crime
News

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 4, 2020

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Two women shot in Domestic Violence incidents, One dead, another critical.

PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT WHERE TWO WOMEN WERE SHOT, ONE DIED AND ANOTHER IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Nelspruit – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned an incident of domestic violence in which two women were shot, leaving one dead and another in a critical condition at Witbank as well as Ogies yesterday, Friday 03 April 2020.

According to reports, the incident started when an argument broke out between two men aged 35 and 41, in a Mine Site at Phola in Oggies near Witbank. Their heated argument continued whereby the 41-year old drew a firearm and tried to shoot at the other man but failed. The man then moved to where the woman was working and fired several shots, injuring her. The victim was rushed to the hospital for medical assistance. He then drove to Hlalanikahle at Vosman where he fatally shot the victim’s mother and Paramedics certified her dead at the scene.

Members of the community notified police about the incident and a manhunt was launched. The man’s vehicle was spotted by police and a high-speed chase ensued. When the suspect realised that he was cornered, he allegedly turned the gun on himself and his car crashed whereby he was certified dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation has since revealed that the firearm used during the incidents was illegal as its serial number was filed off.

On 30 March 2020, police in Mpumalanga issued a media statement of incidents where two women were murdered at Kwaggafontein as well as at Kwamhlanga. The investigation of the murder at Kwamhlanga revealed that the incident was a domestic-related issue where the woman had applied for a Protection Order which was served to the suspect. Both were supposed to have attended court on the day of the incident.

The 35-year-old Themba Ntuli, who is a suspect in the Kwamhlanga murder, has since been arrested by police on Tuesday, 31 March 2020 and already made his appearance at Kwamhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 02 April 2020, as well as Friday 03 April 2020. His case was postponed to Tuesday, 07 April 2020, for formal bail application.

General Zuma has, on several occasions, pleaded with members of the public to refrain from using violence to resolve domestic issues. General Zuma has also indicated that people should use the Lock-down period to fix their differences amicably and start a new life rather than using it to perpetrate domestic violence against women as well as children. They should avoid violence but rather try to make use of available structures such as Social Workers, Traditional Leaders and many more to intervene as well as to resolve their matters amicably.

Kruik Oggenddiens 5 April 2020 – “Pad na die Kruis” Week 3

News

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 4, 2020

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Kruik Oggenddiens 5 April 2020 – “Pad na die Kruis” Week 3

Baie welkom by Kruik Gemeente!

Stap saam met ons rondom ‘n reeks deur die evangelie van Johannes. 21 hoofstukke. 21 dae.

Sluit aan by Kruik om 09H30 Sondag 5 April 2020

Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere: 1.Gee Aanlyn (Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr:1510140016) 2.Gee deur Zapper – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.

Hier is ‘n skakel na kinderkmateriaal wat jy kan gebruik en deel met ander: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UYB…

Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (072 133 6130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/. Ons sal graag met jou gesels.

1,169 New coronavirus deaths in the US, the highest one-day toll recorded in any country

Coronavirus News

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 4, 2020

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1,169 New coronavirus deaths in the US, the highest one-day toll recorded in any country

The Coronavirus outbreak will have lasting effects on everyone for years to come. Reports of infections and recoveries continue to pop up on every screen but the ones that are the most worrying in the ones about the Coronavirus related deaths.

Every country will have new records set. The first infection recorded. Highest infections per day recorded. The area with most infections. First recovery, and then the dreaded first death recorded. Then second death and so on until the morbid records starts to take on very macabre statistics such as the one just received from the US.

“The United States has recorded 1,169 deaths from coronavirus in 24 hours, the highest daily death toll of any country so far. Over 5,900 people have now died since the pandemic began and the country accounts for around a quarter of all known infections around the globe”

The official tally comes from figures reported by the Johns Hopkins University between 8:30 pm Wednesday (0030 GMT) and the same time Thursday.

The grim record was previously held by Italy, where 969 people died on March 27.

The US has now recorded around 6,000 coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began. Italy is still the country with the most deaths, a total of 14681 people succumbed to the virus. The next countries are Spain with 11,744 deaths, France with 6,507 and the United Kingdom with 3,605 deaths. South Africa currently has 9 deaths recorded

The youngest American victim was reported earlier this week – a 6 week old baby in the state of Connecticut.

The total amount of people that recovered so far from the disease are 233,689. Chine had the highest figure of recoveries at 76942 with Spain, Germany, Italy Iran and France following.

The total amount of infections is still extremely high with 1,134,418. The US has 278,458. Spain now has the second most infections at 124,736 with Italy following at 119,827. China only has 82,543 infections.

The pandemic is still growing with no immediate end in sight.

South Africa has seen defiance by many people, mostly in the poorer areas, towards the disease. People are still gathering in groups and someplace even hosting parties. The army has been called and deployed to help. Govan Mbeki saw the Army deployed over the past few days.

Social distancing is not adhered to even though some shops have placed markers to indicate the distance that should be kept from other persons. Debates about the wearing of masks are flooding the social media groups and Fake news is rife.

Only time will tell if South Africa’s efforts were in time and efficient.

Police minister elaborates on the revisions by government to the lockdown regulations

News

Ane Prinsloo

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April 4, 2020

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Police Minister, General Bheki Cele has welcomed the revisions by the National Command Council to the Lockdown Regulations and has taken time to elaborate on those aspects of the Regulations that seemed to have caused confusion amongst the public.

With the second weekend of the lockdown around the corner, Minister Cele has contextualised the relaxation of the regulations in as far as movement between Provinces, travelling to and from funerals is concerned.

“We have been inundated with volumes of calls from families seeking clarification or intervention or sometimes even permits relating to travelling to the funerals of their loved ones. Most such calls came from the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape and two particular police stations mentioned were Arbedeen and Aliwal North,” cited Minister Bheki Cele.

Amendments to the Regulations now allow certain individuals to move between provinces, metropolitan and district areas for purposes of transporting the body for burial.

Meanwhile, certain categories of individuals closely related to the deceased, are permitted to travel to funerals.

According to the regulations, persons travelling for the purpose of a burial/cremation may obtain a permit to travel, from a Magistrate or from a Police Station Commander or his/her designate, on provision of a death certificate or a certified copy thereof. It is important for the individual seeking a permit to also give their date of return that will reflect on the permit.

Furthermore, the limit on number of people in attendance at a funeral remains 50, to maintain the effort to curb the spread of the corona virus. Also, night vigil services are still strictly prohibited for the duration of the lockdown.

On the issue of “spaza shops”, an instruction will be issued to the more than 24 000 members on deployment from the SAPS, SANDF, Metro Police and other law enforcement agencies, to understand that all spaza shops and informal food traders with the necessary permits from the relevant Municipality will be allowed to operate.

In response to another area of confusion, the Minister of Police clarified and emphasised that cigarettes are not an essential item and that the sale thereof is prohibited across the country.

“What has been a dampener since the beginning of the lockdown has been the consistently high number of people arrested for violating the lockdown regulations,” continued Minister Cele citing 2 298 arrests just on 30 March. By close of business on 31 March, the total sum of arrests had reached over 17 000 since the kick-off of the lockdown.

Provincial Breakdown of Total Arrests:

Gauteng – 1 888

Western Cape – 4 769

KwaZulu Natal – 1 845

Eastern Cape – 1 613

Northern Cape – 832

North West – 1 562

Free State – 3 098

Mpumalanga – 752

Limpopo – 850

TOTAL – 17 209

Offences vary between transport related offences, liquor related and general non-compliance with the Regulations.

“Ideally,” said the Minister, “we would prefer that our communities and all stakeholders cooperate and comply to minimise the risk of exposure of both themselves as well as our 24 389 law enforcement members to the COVID-19. We really do not want to arrest people but to contain the spread of the Virus.”

Members of the SAPS, the SANDF, Metro Police Departments and all law enforcement agencies will remain on deployment throughout the lockdown period.

Minister Cele reiterated the need by Provinces to align themselves to the National Regulations and not to unilaterally sanction their own unauthorised province-specific version of the Regulations as this ends up confusing the public and of more concern, confusing the law enforcement agencies who are expected to enforce the National Regulations.

There are avenues in place through with provincial governments can engage and give input in relation to the Regulations. Minister Cele is calling on all spheres of government to follow due processes in the best interest of the country at large.

The laws of the country must be upheld.

Baking Bread during the lockdown

Food

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 3, 2020

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Bread flour, second to toilet paper, became a very scarce commodity at the start of the lockdown.

It would appear that everybody is going to bake their own bread and companies such as Albany would have a surplus.

We at The Bulletin decided to test our own bread baking skills (we’ve done it before) and pit it against the other bread flower buyers.

Here is how our effort turned out.

Baking Bread during the Lockdown

Francois Pretorius appeared in court on two charges of Murder.

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 3, 2020

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Francois Pretorius appeared in court on two charges of Murder.

Broken, confused, unsure and even a little feeble is how I would describe murder accused, Francois Pretorius.

Francois appeared in the Bethal court on Friday, 27 March. He is set to face two charges of murder. The community of Bethal was shocked when they heard about the murder of Emeritus Pastor Hannes Beukes and his wife, Ibel, the previous Wednesday. It is on charges relating to these murders that Francois appeared in court.

Francois Pretorius leaving the courtroom

Francois was dressed in khaki clothes that he most probably wore from the incident. The clothes were dirty and he was unshaven. He appeared to be confused as to the proceedings and would start any answer with “I am guilty.” Judge De Villers had to explain the procedures to Francois several times.

As I sat and listened to the proceedings, I could only wonder what went wrong. It would appear that Francois is telling the truth about killing the pastor and his wife, although he never said that, just “I am guilty” was all he said.

Francois gave the impression of someone that was fully aware of what he has (allegedly) done and was extremely remorseful. His main concern was that of his family and what financial implications this trial would have on his family.

I, as The Bulletin, applied for permission to have his photograph taken and he only opposed it with a plea that he would like to spare his children the embarrassment. He even stood briefly so that I could take the photo.

Francois handed himself to the police with the help of his Father in law. It would appear that he has made a full confession to a magistrate. This case would have to take the full route regardless of his statement.

Francois indicated that he would rather conduct his own defence. He waivered his right to legal aid.

Judge De Villiers explained the bail application to him in detail. At one stage she had to say that she is not yet interested in his story but only if he would like to apply for bail.

To this, he replied with weighted shoulders that he would not apply for bail. He would like to spare his family: “Anyway what should I do there.”

Francois seemed genuinely confused by the court proceedings and even enquired about the cost of a formal bail application.

Judge De Villiers said that as these charges related to a schedule 5 offence, no bail would be given unless he could prove that it would be in the interest of justice that he, Francois, be released on bail.

Francois had never been charged with anything (according to his testimony) and said that it was his first time in a courtroom.

I could not help to feel some sympathy for him as we sat in the courtroom. So many times, we have sat in the courtrooms with murderers appearing before the court only to feel the hate of the audience towards them.

In Bethal Court A there is bulletproof glass separating the audience from the court officials. It created an incredibly sad and surreal atmosphere as we, The Bulletin, were the only two people in the audience.

There was no support for Francois. The lockdown made matters worse as no one could travel to court.

There was no hatred from the back but there was no love either. There was no support. In a world where things went so horribly wrong for three people, Francois became a statistic, a number, a convict for now and definitely a broken, scared man.

Let us hope that the family and friends of DS Beukes and his wife will get some answers during this trial. Let us hope they can find closure and peace. Let us hope that justice will be done.

And for Francois, if he really carried out the deeds accredited to him, let us hope he finds forgiveness in the arms of God. If he is guilty, he will have to answer to everyone during the trial, but, above all, to his Maker.

I know that there are already a lot of stories doing the rounds and some comments that he is guilty. May I appeal to everyone that they would wait for the full trial before they judge? I sense that there will be many tales to tell after this trial.

This one is going to be an emotional trial.