Makhura says over 660 000 jobs lost during lockdown, encourages residents to prevent a second surge

Gauteng Premier David Makhura provided an update on the work of the Gauteng Command Council on 1 October.

Makhura said that all their data shows that Gauteng experienced its peak of Covid-19 cases in July. However, he said that it’s important to note that there may be another peak. He said that there are many European countries which have seen a second peak and he hopes that people within the province will be able to avoid it.

The acting head of department for the Gauteng Health Department, Lesiba Malotana said that while Gauteng is the province with the highest number of cases, they are pleased with the recovery rate. He said that the province is now at its lowest number of active cases and their goal is to maintain this as the economy has reopened.

Malotana added that they are worried about the number of cases in the Emfuleni area as well as in regions C, D and F in Johannesburg.

MEC for the Department of Social Development, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi said that Makhura approved R88 million to be donated to shelters for displaced people. She said that over 500 000 households have been provided with food parcels during the lockdown.

MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi said that they are worried that some children still have not returned to school. He said that there are almost 54 000 learners that have not returned to school and they are worried that these could be drop-out cases. About 1.5 million learners are receiving a meal on a daily basis.

He said that there are about 70 000 learners who are attending extra classes on the weekends to catch up with the curriculum they might have missed.

Lesufi said the applications for Grade 1 and 8 learners have opened and he urged parents to accept placements once they receive them.

“We are hopeful that at the end of October we will have concluded this process and we will know how many learners still need to be placed before we can start the new academic year.”

MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko said that there is still a challenge with the closing time of shebeens and taverns. Level 1 regulations state that they need to be closed by 12am. She urged all those businesses who don’t have liquor licenses to comply with regulations and apply for a license with the Liquor Board.

She also highlighted her concern that nine of the gender-based violence hotspots in the country are within Gauteng.

Makhura raised his concerns about the increase in unemployment in the province. Employment decreased by over 660 000 jobs, the greatest decrease compared to other provinces. He said that there is a big drive to increase jobs in the tourism and construction sectors, which were unable to operate during the lockdown. He added that there is also a focus on support small businesses.

He said that R500 million will be used to assist small businesses working in partnership with the private sector. The fund will eventually exceed R1 billion.

“This fund is really going to those that are needy, not businesses that are not proper businesses and will only be helped simply because they know someone.”

He emphasised that the economy cannot afford a surge of cases and residents must focus on maintaining safety measures. He said that a surge would require them to slow down their interventions to assist the economy.

Makhura said that the Special Investigation Unit will be referring more companies to the Special Tribunal for the freezing of assets, adding that all those involved in Covid-19 corruption and malfeasance – whether they are public officials, public servants or businesspeople, must be brought to justice.

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