COVID-19-DMA Directions Minister of Social Development 31 March 2020
Covid-19 – Essential Services During Nationwide Lockdown
Strict regulations in place
Those on the road will be required to produce a permit and proof of identification to law enforcement officers
- March 2020 – Cape Argus – BALDWIN NDABA AND MWANGI GITHAHU
ESSENTIAL services workers who will be allowed to report for work during the 21-day nationwide lockdown will do so under strict regulations.
Yesterday police emphasised that all people classified as essential workers would have to adhere to the regulations gazetted by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Wednesday.
Each worker will be expected to carry a permit which they will have to present to law enforcement agencies during the execution of the lockdown.
According to the permit, under Regulation 118(3), “the person to whom this permit is issued must at all times present a form of identification to be presented together with this permit. If no identification is presented, the person to whom the permit is issued will have to return to his or her place of residence during the lockdown”.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula also announced that minibus taxis, metered taxis and e-hailing services would be limited to the public during the lockdown.
He said only staff rendering essential services and those out for essential purposes, such as buying groceries or going to work, would be allowed to leave home.
Taxis will only be allowed to transport people for these essential trips from 5am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm.
A vehicle licensed to carry up to four people will only be permitted to load one passenger. A vehicle licensed to carry up to eight passengers will only be permitted to load a maximum of three people.
Buses will also have limited operations – only transporting essential services workers and people making necessary trips.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also issued a warning to those who might want to transgress the regulations, saying law enforcement officers would act against them.
Gatherings would be banned, except for funerals, which could be attended by only 50 people or less.
Movement between provinces, metros and district areas would also be banned and roadblocks on the community, provincial and national roads would be conducted, to enforce this with health screenings to ensure movement was restricted.
With the SANDF possibly aiding the SAPS to police the lockdown, military sociologist Professor Lindy Heinecken of Stellenbosch University said sending in the army once again placed the military in a situation it might not be adequately prepared for.
“With just 10 companies (roughly 1400 soldiers), which implies less than 400 boots on the ground at any one time to allow for rotation, one wonders how much support they can render,” said Heinecken.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde said staying home was the only way to save lives.
“I know what we are asking for is difficult, and it is scary, but we have overcome many, many challenges as a country. We can do it again, together. If we all do this, we will be able to go back to our lives again and start to rebuild our economy.
“If we do not, and the virus continues to spread, many people will die and the lockdown may be extended. So now is the time. We can do this together. Let us be strong now for each other,” said Winde.
He underlined that the lockdown meant: “You will be required to stay in your home unless it is to go and buy groceries, go to the pharmacy or to seek medical attention.”
He said that as of 9am yesterday morning, “the province had confirmed 181 positive cases of Covid-19. Three residents are currently in hospital as a result of this virus.”
Winde said they had put measures in place to assist victims of violence.
“Rendering services to victims of crime and violence is an essential service. The Western Cape Department of Social Development and civil society organisations will continue to provide these services through provision of shelters and psycho-social support.”
Winde said four shelters had been identified as Stage 1 shelters to admit at-risk victims of crime and violence.
“Only referrals from a social worker with safety risk assessment and SAPS referral will be accepted.
“After the initial 14 days, clients will be transferred from a Stage 1 shelter to a Stage 2 shelter with the assistance of the SAPS,” said Winde.
He said the Department of Health would assist with medical screening and the medical needs of clients.
1.Contacting the Provincial Helpline on 021 928-4102: available 24/7
2.Send an email with questions to doh.dismed@westerncape.gov.za
3.Contacting the General Public Hotline on 0800 029 999: available 24/7
4.Sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456
5.Visiting reliable websites such as: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus or www.nicd.ac.za or www.who.int/emergencies.
Attempted Smash & Grab
Waiting For a Vehicle Running to the Road
Approaching a Vehicle Trying to Open the Door
Running Away When They See the ECID Vehicle En route Crossing Railway Line to the Shacks
The ECID Vehicle Arrives
On the 23rd January the Controller in the ECID Control Room noted these 2 suspicious persons on the Epping side of the Langa Bridge and as the Controller continued monitoring them, it was noted that they were there to perform a smash and grab on an unsuspecting motorist. The ECID vehicle was dispatched and the 2 persons ran across the railway lines towards the shacks in Langa.
MEDIA RELEASE: Stay energy-wise and improve resilience to load-shedding
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
12 DECEMBER 2019
MEDIA RELEASE
Stay energy-wise and improve resilience to load-shedding
The City of Cape Town welcomes the undertaking by President Cyril Ramaphosa that no load-shedding will be experienced between 17 December 2019 and 13 January 2020. Thanks to the people of Cape Town for their patience and cooperation during this time. The City continues to promote energy saving and preparedness tips to enhance the resilience of its residents and businesses. Read more below:
Transversely, the City continues to put operational measures in place to reduce the impact on City operations and to ensure that the City becomes more resilient against future energy supply disruptions caused by load-shedding.
‘Cape Town’s share of the national usage is about 5% of the total national usage. Our electricity savings efforts and our attempts to curb electricity losses as a result of theft and vandalism have been outstanding, however load-shedding is outside of the City’s control. We all need to look at how we can enhance our resilience in Cape Town. We continue to petition the powers that be to allow the City to buy energy from independent power producers as a means to introduce cleaner energy into the system and of enhancing security of supply over the medium term. Meanwhile, our roll out of contingency measures carries on across City operations.
‘We thank the residents of Cape Town for their support and patience during the rough time that we have had as a result of load-shedding. We look forward to decisive action at a national level, one that will lead to cleaner energy and more stable security of supply,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Phindile Maxiti.
Eskom’s load-shedding Stage 2 continues today. The City will carry on informing residents as soon as it receives any updates from Eskom, which usually is at short notice.
Improve your resilience to load-shedding
• Print out the load-shedding schedule which is available on the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/loadshedding. Eskom-supplied customers are encouraged to check Eskom’s website for the schedule
• If load-shedding affects traffic lights, the intersection should be regarded as a four-way stop. The first motorist to stop has right of way if it is safe to proceed
• Switch off appliances ahead of load-shedding to reduce the risk of damage from power surges
• Switch off those appliances that you don’t need
• Switch off your geyser and only switch it on for up to two hours per day. This will save a lot of electricity and it will save you money
• Delay switching on lights and appliances until after the peak periods (between 17:00 and 21:00) whenever possible
• Switch off your pool pump, geyser and other large electrical equipment, and never run both at the same time
• Adjust air conditioners to 23 degrees Celsius if you need to use them
• Visit www.SavingElectricity.org.za for more tips to save electricity
• If your electricity remains off for longer than the period specified in the schedule, SMS the City’s technical operations center on 31220, submit a service request online or call 0860 103 089.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Councillor Phindile Maxiti, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change
Load Shedding Update
Friday, 13 December 2019
Stay energy-wise and be prepared for load-shedding
The City of Cape Town welcomes the undertaking from President Cyril Ramaphosa that no load-shedding will be experienced between 17 December 2019 and 13 January 2020.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time, however please continue to save energy and make sure you are prepared for possible load-shedding.
Be prepared
• Print the City’s load-shedding schedule. Eskom-supplied customers should check Eskom’s website for the schedule.
• Switch off those appliances that you don’t need, but make sure to charge your cell phone, laptop, tablet and radio when power is available. Depending on the load-shedding stage, some cell phone networks may be affected.
• Switch off appliances before your area outage to reduce the risk of damage from power surges.
• If traffic lights are affected during load-shedding, treat them as four-way stops.
• Keep some cash on hand as ATM’s cannot operate without electricity.
• If you do not have a gas stove, prepare your meals before the power is scheduled to be switched off. Bring your food to boiling point and use a non-electric, portable slow cooker bag to continue cooking food and keep it warm. Boil water and keep in thermos flasks for hot drinks.
• Keep backup batteries for electrically operated gates, garage doors and security systems in good working condition – they will need to last through longer periods during the higher load-shedding stages. Store candles, battery-powered torches and gas lamps in easy to find places.
Remember:
• If your electricity remains off for longer than the period specified in the schedule, SMS the City’s technical operations center on 31220, submit a service request online or call 0860 103 089.
• Visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest load-shedding status updates.
• Our call center experiences a higher volume of calls during load-shedding. Please be patient.
• All City libraries are closed during load-shedding.
Resources:
• City of Cape Town website for load-shedding updates
• Load-shedding Stages 1-8: Schedule and map
• Load shedding FAQs
CLEANING AT INFORMAL MARKET
Before After
Before After
Before After
FEEDING SCHEME-SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2019
The ECID handed out the following food items to the Church of the Nazarene in Bonteheuwel and the Langa Baptist Church; 4 x 750g coffee, 2 x 850g peanut butter, 2 x 900g jam, 36 cans each of pilchards and baked beans, 10 kg of lentils, 10 kg dry soup mix, 20 kg samp, 6 800 tea bags, 12 cans mixed vegetables, 20 kg rice and 36 x 1.5l cooldrinks kindly donated by Giant Hyper and 100 kg gravity beans donated by Pioneer Foods. Accepting on behalf of Langa Baptist Church is Lorna Booi & Buntu Ngaukana (top left) and for the Church of the Nazarene is Reverend Quinton Williams & Jermaine Williams (top right).
We wish to thank our sponsors for their generosity in helping to care for the less privileged.