Western Cape Premier Alan Winde. (Jan Gerber/News24)

• Alan Winde says religious leaders supported his call to avoid in-person services and prayers amid the resurgence of Covid-19.
• Winde met with faith-based organisations to give an update on Covid-19 developments. 
• He also urged organisations to encourage congregations to practice physical distancing, wear masks and sanitise. 

Faith-based organisations have been urged by the Western Cape government to refrain from holding in-person services and prayers, but to rather hold it online – and, in this way, contribute to curbing the spread of Covid-19 amid a second wave of the pandemic.

Premier Alan Winde met with the religious sector on Wednesday night to give the spiritual leaders an update on the resurgence. 

Winde said his request for limited in-person gatherings and prayer ceremonies was well-supported by the inter-faith and inter-denominational leaders. 

The premier said:    

Winde advised that all this be done with safe physical distancing, masks worn correctly and frequent hand washing and sanitising.

He said faith-based organisations were important role-players in society, and that the provincial government was grateful for the role they will play in managing the virus in the next two to three weeks.  

Winde also asked the leaders to remind congregations to take every precaution to prevent the spread of the virus, including staying within their support bubbles. 

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A man was caught on camera firing a gun at a toll plaza in Pretoria on Sunday.

Footage of the incident shows the man firing multiple shots into the air while a group of people sing “jou ma se p**s” in the background.

The incident happened at the Doornpoort toll plaza, which is operated by Bakwena.

READ | Brackenfell violence: Man accused of firing airgun released on a warning

Charmaine van Wyk, PR manager for the Bakwena N1N4 toll road, said the details of the incident were unclear.

“We are aware of the incident that took place at Doornpoort plaza,” she told News24.

“The matter is under investigation with the local authorities at present.”

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said a preliminary investigation revealed that personnel who witnessed the incident did not report it to police.

He said the police later opened a case.

“Police opened a case of discharging a firearm in a public place and negligent handling of a firearm,” Masondo added.

Police are searching for the man and have appealed to members of the public who have further information to contact their nearest police station.

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Commuters taxis being disinfected. (Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images)

• Though numbers are down because of Covid-19 job losses, thousands of people are expected to travel from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape this year.
• Taxi associations say they are taking precautions, but need help from the authorities.
• SANTACO says it’s taking extra measures to ensure its drivers adhere to government’s regulations.

Taxi owners have called on the government to help them protect passengers from Covid-19, as tens of thousands of people prepare for long-distance travel home for the holidays.

Thabiso Molelekwa, spokesperson for the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which was created in 2001 to govern the industry and act as the principal mouthpiece for taxis, told GroundUp that the taxi industry is not getting any help from the government with the supply of masks and sanitisers.

Molelekwa said last year about 39 000 people had travelled by taxi from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape for the holidays. Though numbers would be lower this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, “… we expect at least 20 000 people to travel to the Eastern Cape”, he said.

Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) provincial chairperson Victor Wiwi accused the government of neglecting the industry at a time it most needs help.

“A trip to the Eastern Cape is about 14 hours. Both drivers and passengers would need at least two masks to ensure hygiene and safety but there is zero support from the government regarding that matter. People want to visit their families in Eastern Cape and need to feel safe there on the taxi,” he said.

READ | Covid-19 resurgence: Ramaphosa announces stricter lockdown for Nelson Mandela Bay

He said taxi owners were paying R150 for a 1-litre bottle of sanitiser which lasted for one trip. In previous years before Covid-19, a taxi would carry about 15 passengers, but this year each can only carry about ten people. [Sanitiser can be purchased for approximately R80 per litre. – Editor]

Drivers at Joe Gqabi taxi rank told GroundUp they tried hard to take precautions and follow health guidelines, but they could do more with government support.

At Joe Gqabi taxi rank on Tuesday Sipho Khumalo’s taxi was fifth in the queue to load passengers going to the Eastern Cape. He said he had been waiting for his turn since Sunday.

He said usually demand is high and taxis make money during the Christmas holidays, but this year people are not travelling because they do not have money.

“Covid-19 has brought lots of hardship. We are struggling to get business because many people have lost their source of income. Circumstances have forced them to spend Christmas here away from their families. It is sad; they can’t afford even to send a sweet.”

Molelekwa said loss of revenue which exposes owners to repossessions is the main challenge reported by their members.

Asked if the council had formulated guidelines for taxi operators and if it was monitoring adherence, he said: “Beyond what the government has put in place, SANTACO has communicated policy to all provinces that any driver found to be unmasked or driving a taxi with an unmasked commuter will get a spot fine of R500.”

SANTACO had patrol vehicles and rank managers to ensure enforcement, he said.

Long distance operators had to ensure that all passengers in the taxis had their temperatures checked and had masks, Molelekwa said, and that taxis did not exceed 70% loading capacity.

“Every two hours, taxis must take a break and allow passengers to stretch their legs and take fresh air. Taxis’ [windows] must equally be open for circulation of air. No one is allowed to unmask during the trip.”

Spokesperson for Western Cape MEC Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela, Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, said the MEC had distributed protective equipment to the taxi industry “at many events”. She said the issue had not been raised by operators when the MEC had visited taxi ranks last week.

“The visit forms part of the Minister’s continued drive to spread information and to encourage travellers to follow Covid-19 golden rules of hygiene for keeping safe and to ensure public transport operators and passengers comply with the regulations,” the department said on 13 December.

In a voice note last week which he said he was recording at Joe Gqabi taxi rank, Madikizela said it was important for people to adhere to the health protocols.

“We have to make sure that those people travelling on our roads understand the implications of not following these protocols.

“We do not want to be forced to take drastic measures so it is really important for people to adhere to these protocols… People travelling between Eastern Cape and Western Cape must understand that our traffic officers will be very strict.”

GroundUp asked the national Department of Transport for comment on Thursday morning, but had not had a reply from media liaison officer Esethu Hasane by the time of publication.

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KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala monitored the level of compliance to Covid-19 protocols around Durban’s townships on Sunday.PHOTO:

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has clarified earlier comments that a church service at the KwaSizabantu Mission was attended by 2 000 people and was a so-called superspreader event. 

He clarified that it was actually a protest group which was demanding jobs from the mission.

He had earlier said that 48 people tested positive after a service. It was actually the protesters who contracted the virus.

At a briefing on Sunday afternoon, he said the province has recorded a number of clusters in the health care settings, church gatherings, retails shops, funerals, ceremonies and parties.

He said: “The recent cluster outbreaks in gatherings have proven to be fatal such as a church gathering that took place in Assisi Convent in Ugu District, which saw 6 nuns sadly succumb to Covid-19. Another gathering was in Kwasizabantu in Umzinyathi district, which was attended by more than 2000 people!!! And I repeat: 2000 people. It is unthinkable. It is hardly surprising that at least 48 of the attendees have now since tested positive. We once again wish to issue a warning to our fellow compatriots that we are now confronted by a dangerous outbreak of Covid-19 in KZN. We appeal that everyone acts responsibly.”

The church is currently being investigated by amongst other bodies, the SA human rights commission and the Cultural, Religious And Linguistic Communities (CRL) rights commission after accusations of rape, assaults and other human rights violations were levelled against the mission’s leaders.

The church’s latest conduct, coupled with the behaviour of citizens attending funerals and beach revellers who continue to flout Covid-19 protocols, are largely to blame for the recent spike in infections in the province.

Zikalala, who briefed the media in Durban on Sunday, said the provincial government was concerned about organisations and individuals not adhering to Covid-19 protocols.

“There is a high level of non-compliance with proper wearing of masks, which seems to be influenced by alcohol consumption and a high appetite for gatherings, especially in areas of entertainment that pose a high risk of being super spreaders – including the beaches.

“We’ve also noted cellphone camera footage depicting scenes of overcrowding at beaches, and failure to wear masks by people swimming in rivers, and elsewhere,” Zikalala said.

As of Saturday, KZN, which is one of the country’s Covid-19 hotspots, had recorded 154 000 infections, with close to 3 000 cases registered on Saturday alone.

Despite the provincial government imposing more restrictions in public spaces and the province’s beaches, which will be shut on December 25, 26 and 31, January 1, 2 and 3, a lack of compliance continues to be a major problem.

“We wish to remind citizens to conduct themselves responsibly. The wearing of masks is compulsory, and adhering to social distancing is absolutely necessary.

“So is the need to respect the 11 pm to 4 am curfew that has been put in place. Those who are intent on flouting safety regulations had better be warned: action will be taken against you,” Zikalala said.

The spike in Covid-19 infections in KZN has created fears that the province’s health facilities would soon be overwhelmed.

Zikalala, who also blamed “reckless” liquor outlet owners for the spread, said there were currently 717 Covid-19 patients in the province’s health facilities, with a further 1 274 patients having been admitted for assessment.

“We also want to dispel the notion that our Health Care facilities are beginning to succumb. Yes, the health care facilities are experiencing high demand, but the system has not collapsed due to pressure. It is up to all of us to ensure that we do not get to that stage.”

The provincial government’s concerns around the high level of non-compliance comes after police minister Bheki Cele had identified KZN as one of the province’s Covid-19 and crime hotspot.

While the police were under added pressure to enforce the Covid-19 regulations, Cele said the focus remained on fighting crime in the country.

“I’ve told the police that they should serve, protect and prevent crime. This was their role before Covid-19 and will remain their constitutional mandate,” he said