We’ve got all the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa you really need to know on Friday 26 November 2021.
When will this pandemic end? Just when we thought there was light at the end of the tunnel of the coronavirus pandemic, another new variant was detected in South Africa.
The new variant, dubbed B.1.1.529, has begun to spread across the country. The reason this particular variant is causing so much panic comes down to its genetic make-up. Researchers say it comes with 32 different mutations and carries several spike proteins, which have made previous strains so problematic.
Meanwhile, the NICD has delivered more worrying news – COVID-19 cases in SA have shot up by 2 465 in the past 24-hours.
And on top of that, South Africa and five other African countries will be added to the UK travel red list on Friday, 26 November.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 26 November
South Africa to be added to UK red list again over B.1.1.529
South Africa, along with five other African countries, will be added to the United Kingdom’s (UK) travel red list from noon on Friday, 26 November. This comes after a new COVID-19 variant of concern – B.1.1.529 – was detected in the country.
Sajid Javid, the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe would be placed on the travel red list and flights would be banned from Friday.
Javid said the UK Health Security Agency was investigating the variant and although more data is needed the authorities are taking pre-emptive precautionary measures immediately.
COVID-19: Cases SOAR on 25 November after emergence of new variant
Following the highly concerning developments earlier today regarding the emergence of a new COVID-19 strain present in various parts of South Africa, the NICD has delivered more worrying news – COVID-19 cases in SA have shot up by 2 465 in the past 24-hours.
The total number of COVID-19 cases that have been accumulatively reported since March 2020 has risen to 2 952 500.
Sadly, over the last 24-hours alone, a further 114 people have died from COVID-19, meaning that a total of 89 771 people have succumbed to the virus since the first death in March 2020.
New COVID variant found in SA, as cases rise in THREE provinces
Another COVID-19 variant with a worrying lineage has been detected in South Africa, with 22 cases found so far. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed its findings on Thursday afternoon.
The reason this particular variant, dubbed B.1.1.529, is causing so much panic comes down to its genetic make-up. researches say it comes with 32 different mutations and carries several spike proteins which have made previous strains so problematic. The news comes just weeks before the festive season.
In their statement issued earlier today, the NICD revealed that cases of COVID-19 are increasing across THREE provinces – Gauteng, North West, and Limpopo. The emergence of a new variant, therefore, couldn’t have come at a worse time… but the experts are extremely keen to remind everyone that there’s ‘no need to panic’.
At this stage, it’s too early to tell what the new variant means for South Africa. There’s not yet any evidence that B.1.1.529 is more transmissible than Delta, and that’s truly the most crucial point of all.
Black Friday riots ‘possible’ for KZN – here’s how SAPS plan to stop them
Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has conceded that riots, looting and vandalism could return to KZN on Black Friday, in a repeat of the horrendous scenes witnessed back in July. However, SAPS are adamant that they are prepared for the unrest this time – and have taken several measures to help prevent any flare-ups of trouble.
It’s been just over four months since KZN was brought to its knees by a wave of protests that eventually degenerated into full-scale riots. Hundreds of people were killed in the violence, which also spread into Gauteng.
Mathale and his colleagues are desperate to avoid a resurgence of unrest here, but he accepts that the police force got their approach wrong during the winter. The top cop also insists that his department has ‘learned its lesson’.
Watch: Shocking videos of East Rand hospital, malls and roads flooded
Shocking videos have been shared after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in Alberton and Germiston on Thursday evening.
Videos shared on social media show a hospital, malls, and several roads flooded in the area.
Earlier on Thursday, the SA Weather Services issued a warning for severe thunderstorms and warned that large amounts of small hails, heavy rain, flooding, and damaging winds could occur.
It furthermore warned that more severe thunderstorms were expected in several parts of the country up until Sunday.
SA’s first-ever EFF Mayor RESIGNS – after just three days on the job
Well, who saw that one coming? The EFF has confirmed that Selloane Motjeane, their first-ever elected mayor in this country, has resigned from her position of mayor in Metsimaholo, Free State – just three days after taking the job.
The bizarre situation was explained by Julius Malema during a media briefing. According to the EFF leader, the party decided to ask Motjeane to step down, because she had earned her mayoral position with votes from the ANC. The eight-year-old organisation dramatically withdrew its support for the ruling party last week.
Juju has taken a principled position, arguing that the Red Berets do not want a serving mayor who has been supported by the ANC. They’d much rather go their own way, and if needs be, the party plans to ask the DA to support Motjeane for re-election when the vote is held. But if that fails, there’s also a Plan B.
WATCH: BRAVE Audi driver escapes hijacking in Pretoria
A plucky Audi driver denied a hijacking attempt by smashing into his attackers’ car before getting away in Waterkloof, Pretoria this week.
The frightening incident was captured on a private home’s security camera before it was shared by leading crime activist Yusuf Abramjee on Twitter.
It begins with the Pretoria Audi driver moving towards what is presumably his home gate in Waterkloof.
As the car halted in front of the gate, a Toyota Corolla emerged behind him before a suspect came to his window to smash it several times with what looks like a hammer.
Rather than freezing in terror to surrender, the victim aggressively reversed and smashed into the attackers’ Corolla.
The Corolla’s driver immediately moved out of the way before waiting for his accomplices to jump back into the car to leave the scene.
Two die, 29 in hospital in suspected food poisoning outbreak at funeral
Two people died, and 29 others were admitted to the hospital after they allegedly ate the same food served at a funeral in the West Rand.
The Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana confirmed that it is dealing with cases of a cluster outbreak of suspected food poisoning in the West Rand District.
“On Monday, 15 November 2021 at 7h30 am, the West Rand District Health Services received communication about a suspected food poisoning cluster outbreak following a funeral in Kadima Street, Kagiso,” she said.
Kekana said while there are 29 notified and verified cases admitted and treated in both Public and Private facilities, there are an additional 11 unverified cases.
“The Department is working closely with the West Rand District in the investigation of the incident.
“The poisoning is suspected of having emanated from a funeral of an elderly woman. Funeral proceedings are reported to have begun at 7h00 am on Saturday, 13 November 2021,” she said.
Kekana said the food was served around 11:00.
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