Author: Gugu Lourie

Telkom’s wireless service is more reliable than its copper-based technology and is less susceptible to interruptions as a result of adverse weather conditions, faults and cable theft. The South African telco first announced the transition from copper-based technology to wireless in 2015 noting that the migration would be done as a phased approach. Having successfully migrated over 96% of prepaid fixed-line customers, Telkom is now migrating postpaid fixed copper-based voice and/or DSL customers to fibre and wireless. Telkom today announced its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2020, which showed that fixed-line decline 29.3% to 1.6 million versus…

Read More

Mining companies are in a frenzy to supply Eskom with coal, which they frequently transport from Mpumalanga towns by road using very heavy trucks. With no end to Eskom’s appetite, coal mines are booming. To satisfy the power utility, road trips have to be made through Bethal and Morgenzon towns. Observers say these frequent trips by heavy trucks laden with coal are destroying the road network of these small towns in Mpumalanga. And the observers also claim the state is an idle spectator. The amount of damage to the road infrastructure of the small towns in Mpumalanga is staggering. Roads…

Read More

All South African citizens who qualify for social relief and economic support packages have received funds. However, the jobless are still waiting and not even sure if they are eligible or approved to get the R350 allocated to them. On 21 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a R500 billion stimulus package to deal with the negative economic impact of COVID-19. As part of the package, Ramaphosa revealed a special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for six months to be paid to jobless individuals. He said the relief grant excluded anyone who already receives any other…

Read More

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit urgent parliamentary questions to the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, to ascertain how her department and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) have spent the billions of rands in funding that have been redirected towards social relief. DA Shadow Minister of Social Development Bridget Masango said in a statement on Thursday that it has been two months since the President’s announcement and the nation is still in the dark on how these monies have been disbursed. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 21 April 2020, that the government “will direct R50 billion towards…

Read More

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) announced on Thursday it has paid 1,2 million people their R350 Social Relief Grant. “Our aim is to pay the right grant to the right people,” SASSA CEO Totsie Memela said in a statement. So far, 3.2 million applicants have been approved and 1.2 million have been paid, said SASSA. The agency added that payments are still in progress and SASSA still needs to do a verification check before any payments can be made. It said applicants are processed daily but the major source of delays comes from the necessary verification process which…

Read More

Small towns in Mpumalanga are seriously considering going to court to force the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) and Lekwa Local Municipality (LCM) to provide electricity, water, and improve road infrastructure. The local Ridge Times reports that a committee consisting of residents and local businesses people from both eMzinoni, Bethal and Milan Park, has been formed. The committee has been named as the Bethal and eMzinoni Community for Service Association. The association has already begun the process of taking legal action against GMM. “We all have the same goals in mind. We want to tackle our current situation and the years…

Read More

South Africa has recorded 80,412 confirmed coronavirus cases, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday evening. “Since the start of the outbreak, there have been 80,412 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa,” he said. “Of these, 44,331 people – or around 55% – have recovered. That means there are currently 34,407 active cases in the country. “Yet, as we know, the cost in human lives could have been far higher. We took a decision early in the development of the disease in South Africa to restrict international travel and gatherings with the declaration of a National State of Disaster and subsequently…

Read More

South Africa is to open restaurants, accommodation, conferences, cinemas, casinos, salons and beauty spas, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday evening. Ramaphosa addressed the nation on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19. Lockdown Level 5 was introduced in South Africa on 26 March 2020. South Africa moved to a level 3 lockdown on 1 June 2020. Visit SA’s #1 online gambling site www.SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za for the best online casinos & mobile casinos for play in South African Rand (ZAR). Get a free no deposit casino bonus when joining these recommended casinos:  Springbok Casino, Europa Casino,…

Read More

Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has accused the United States of providing a “grossly inaccurate [and] misleading” summary of evidence to the Canadian court hearing her extradition case, arguing that the case should be thrown out as a result, according to the South China Morning Post. The 2013 presentation forms the basis of US claims that Meng defrauded HSBC by lying about Huawei’s business in Iran, allegedly in breach of US sanctions, and that she should be sent to New York to face trial. “Ms Meng will submit that the Requesting State’s summary of evidence … is grossly inaccurate and based…

Read More

As Africa braces itself for the peak in COVID-19 cases, the continent is launching the Africa Medical Supplies Platform, an innovative marketplace to enable all African governments to access critical supplies, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday. According to President Ramaphosa, Africa has over 250 000 confirmed infections and about 6 700 deaths. “Although the number of infections in Africa is currently lower than elsewhere in the world, there is an expectation that the worst is still to come, with dire social and economic consequences,” he said. As it stands, Africa is in dire need of medical supplies, testing equipment…

Read More