Daily news update: Covid-19 stats, UIF payouts resume and South Africans fall deeper into debt

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Covid-19 update: SA now has 90,459 active cases, with recovery rate of 85%

Source: Health department

As of Wednesday, South Africa has recorded a total of 615,701 Covid-19 cases, with 2,684 new cases. The country has also recorded 194 new deaths: 57 from KwaZulu-Natal, 61 from Gauteng, 4 from Northern Cape, 12 from Eastern Cape and 60 from Western Cape. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 13,502.

“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health care workers that treated the deceased patients. Our recoveries now stand at 525,242, which translates to a recovery rate of 85%,” said Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

U-turn as UIF coronavirus Ters payouts resume

A portfolio committee meeting on Wednesday morning revealed that Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) payouts, which were abruptly suspended by the UIF on Tuesday, have resumed. 

Democratic Alliance (DA) employment and labour shadow minister Dr Michael Cardo confirmed to The Citizen that payments had indeed resumed, but in the same breath, said there were still glaring information gaps with the update. 

Alarm bells ring as South Africans fall deeper into debt

Woman managing bills. Image: iStock

The number of deeply indebted consumers in South Africa over the past three months has risen sharply compared to the same period last year.

Debt Rescue CEO Neil Roets said they had seen a dramatic increase since June in people requesting debt counselling, and a spike of 54% month-on-month in July and August.

Mkhwebane warns officials to cooperate on Covid-19 matters, or else

Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane during the release of her reports at the Public Protector’s offices in Pretoria, 28 January 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Public Protector (PP) Busisiwe Mkhwebane has renewed calls for officials to cooperate with her office’s investigations, after hitting a number of dead ends with officials failing to respond to information requests. 

The office of the public protector said on Wednesday that efforts to “deal expeditiously with Covid-19-related matters” has been met “with some degree of resistance” from executive members and senior government officials. 

Mother calls for calm over black son paralysed in US police shooting

An explosive device detonates on the front of an armored vehicle as protesters confront police in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse during a third night of unrest on August 25, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rioting as well as clashes between police and protesters began Sunday night after a police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back in front of his three children. Picture: Scott Olson / Getty Images / AFP

The mother of a black man shot repeatedly in the back by Wisconsin police called on Tuesday for calm after two nights of violent protests, as her lawyer said it would take a “miracle” for her son to walk again.

“We really just need prayers,” Julia Jackson said of her son Jacob Blake, seen in video being shot up to seven times at point-blank range by a white Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer as he tried to get into his car with his three children inside on Sunday.

You can stay in DJ Zinhle’s apartment by renting it on Airbnb

DJ Zinhle. Image: Instagram

Have you ever wondered what the inside of your favourite celebrity’s home looks like? Or better yet, what it would be like to live in it?

DJ Zinhle is giving people the opportunity to experience exactly that after she announced her new home would be listed on Airbnb.

‘Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored’ season two confirmed – Here’s what to expect

Zodwa Wabantu. Photo: Instagram

Zodwa Wabantu has announced that her popular reality show Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored will be returning for season two on Moja Love.

She confirmed the news in an Instagram post on 24 August.

“Are you’ll ready? Who should I bring back? What do you wanna see on Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored? We are in preparation to start shooting,” she wrote.

Five reasons why Sundowns can beat Chiefs

Lazalous Kambole of Kaizer Chiefs celebrates goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership 2019/20 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC at the Orlando Stadium. (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)

We take a look at the five reasons why Sundowns could emerge victorious and go level on points with the Glamour Boys ahead of the final three league games.

Versatile squad

When you look at Sundowns’ squad, Pitso Mosimane can easily rotate his team because he boasts players who can slot in two or more roles with ease. For example, Mosa Lebusa can double up as a left-back and centre-back. Lyle Lakay plays the whole of the left flank while Rivaldo Coetzee is able to play at the heart of midfield or in the rear guard.

Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper heading to Japan for 2021

Australian captain Michael Hooper will play in Japan for the first half of 2021. AFP/Kazuhiro NOGI

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will head overseas for the first half of next year, Rugby Australia said Wednesday, after reportedly signing a six month deal with Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz.

Hooper will miss most of the New South Wales Waratahs’ 2021 Super Rugby season after being released for six months as part of a pay deal agreed earlier this year, Rugby Australia said in a statement.

Hyundai starts showing facelift Kona’s skin

With the initial report breaking two months ago, Hyundai has officially released a series of images depicting not only the facelift Kona, but also its sporty N Line offshoot.

In a short statement, the South Korean marque confirms that the now three year old Kona will get a new front skidplate and the N Line sportier bumpers with functioning side air vents. Based on the images though, the revisions go further in the shape of revised split headlights, a new front bumper and on the N Line, a gloss black mesh grille with N badging, and a new bonnet with three slits similar to that of the Audi A1.

Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport benefit for yet more upgrades

Range Rover Evoque Autobiography

Having announced availability earlier this month of the Carbon Edition Range Rover Sport SVR, Land Rover has revised the Evoque and Discovery Sport ranges with not only new features, but also powerunits.

Starring on both is the new Privi infotainment derived from the Defender, which boasts over-the-air updates, better smartphone integration and the option of being upgraded to the flagship Pro system with added satellite navigation.

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