Provincial & National

Media Release

CONTRACTORS ON SITE TO ENSURE SPEEDY HOUSING HANDOVER

19 May 2020

Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers says he is pleased to see that progress is being made at the construction sites he has visited so far.

Minister Simmers said: “Concluding another visit to the Forest Village project in Eersteriver, yesterday and visiting the Vlakkeland and Dal Josafat projects in the Drakenstein municipality, which is part of the Cape Winelands District Municipality today, I am convinced that our beneficiaries will not have to wait too long before moving into their homes.

Forest Village will within the next few weeks deliver 267 units, while 64 will be ready for handover in Vlakkeland. Other Districts, such as the Overberg, Garden Route, West Coast, and Cape Metro are also ensuring that minor repairs are speedily concluded.

We remain committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable, which includes the elderly, disabled, backyard dwellers and those longest on the housing waiting list

The Cape Winelands District Municipality, after the Cape Metro, has the second highest COVID-19 infection rate in the Western Cape, with 456 cases. The majority of their cases being in Witzenberg, with 205 and Drakenstein, with 134. The immediate occupancy of homes will assist in fighting COVID-19, as it will help to maintain social distancing, while strengthening the practice of effective and good hygiene.

As much as Alert level 5 denied our beneficiaries the opportunity to move into their homes sooner, we have a chance to ensure that there are no further and unnecessary delays. I call on beneficiaries to be a little more patient and allow the contractors to apply the finishing touches to their homes.

We have much to look forward to and I cannot wait to share this joyous occasion with our people.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.”

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za / 021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

or

Mr. Nathan Adriaanse

Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations

Tel: 021 483-2868 / Cell: 083 263 1720

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 19 May 2020

Release: immediately

Note to media – Minister Maynier will be visiting a construction site in Cape Town impacted by Alert Level 4 restrictions this afternoon.
If any media would like to receive video, photos and soundbytes from the site visit, please do contact me.

Opening private sector construction critical to saving over 100 000 jobs

An urgent review of the restrictions on the private sector construction is required if we are to avoid a collapse of the construction sector in South Africa.

And so, today (19 May 2020), I have written a letter to Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, with an attached submission, requesting that under Alert Level 4 restrictions, construction be allowed to expand operations beyond public sector engineering and construction, to include commercial, industrial and private residential construction, together with construction by public entities, and to permit the upscaling of manufacturing of construction supplies beyond 50 per cent sector employment. These proposals incorporate aspects of the draft Alert Level 3 and 2 provisions – all of which we believe can safely be implemented immediately.

It is estimated the impact on the construction sector of the Covid-19 pandemic could cost the Western Cape 111 416 direct and indirect jobs in 2020, and a loss of R14.9 billion in income to people employed in this sector. Opening up private construction as soon as possible, which we believe can safely be done under Alert Level 4, will help prevent these job losses.

The construction sector is a vital component of the South African economy. In 2019, the sector was valued at R172 billion in South Africa and contributed approximately R32 billion to the Western Cape’s total gross value added.

The construction sector was already under pressure pre-Covid 19, having contracted by 3.3% in real terms on 2019. It is estimated that in the Western Cape the sector could experience a further contraction of approximately 41% in 2020, followed by a 10% contraction in 2021 as a result of current restrictions. This translates to a loss of R12.9 billion in 2020 and R3 billion in 2021.

Importantly, the construction sector plays a critical role in attracting fixed capital investment to South Africa that not only supports current economic growth but is also a catalyst for future economic growth and economic potential. By revising the current Alert Level 4 restrictions, we can help to ensure that the construction sector survives and is able to play a role in our economic recovery post COVID-19.

Now more than ever, businesses need to be able to continue to trade safely and responsibly to ensure that we save jobs, livelihoods and the economy during the Covid-19 crisis. The private sector construction presents an opportunity for just that.

Under normal circumstances the sector already complies with very high health and safety standards, and as such, the implementation and regulation of additional measures to ensure safe operations to stop the spread of Covid-19 would not be very difficult for companies.

If the construction sector is able to operate safely for the purposes of public sector engineering and construction, we see no reason why this can’t be extended to the entire construction sector. In doing so, we can significantly impact on the ability for the economy to open in the Western Cape and South Africa, to save jobs and get more people working safely during the Covid-19 crisis.

Notes for media: 

To view the statement online, together with the submission to COGTA, visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/opening-private-sector-construction-critical-saving-over-100-000-jobs

Note for business: For more info on health guidelines and Covid-19 resources for business visit: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-how-prevent-and-manage-covid-19-infections

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

18 May 2020

As of 1pm on 18 May, the Western Cape has 6031 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 9927  confirmed cases and 3731 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 479  (24 recovered)

One case previously allocated to Langeberg, has been re-allocated based on updated address data.

Additional data can be accessed on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

The Western Cape has recorded an additional eight COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 165. We send our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Recovery from serious illness:

Earlier today, Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo visited the Gatesville Melomed Hospital to celebrate the recovery of Bathandwa Zuzo, from Gugulethu.

Minister Mbombo said: “Mr Zuzo tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted on the 26 April 2020, with severe respiratory problems. He was in ICU and on ventilators for 3 weeks. This also serves to demonstrate the strength of our health system and to showcase our health professionals’ skills in dealing with this pandemic. This is a powerful story of a man who survived the most severe case of this virus, I hope this will give hope to the people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.”

It is also important that we show our support for those who are ill- and treat them with kindness and care on their path to recovery.

Minister Madikizela launches Red Dot transport service:

Today the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Bonginkosi Madikizela, launched the Red Dot Service. This forms part of our targeted hotspot response strategy for the Covid-19 pandemic in the Western Cape. This partnership between the Western Cape Government and the minibus taxi industry will deliver critical transport services needed during this challenging time.

This Red Dot service (which refers to the sticker on the bus) will provide a chartered transport service for those Department of Health employees who need to travel for work between 19:00 and 05:00. This is difficult outside of these hours because of limitation of transport under Alert Level 4 restrictions.

From 1 June, the service will also  transport citizens who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are at high-risk of having been exposed to the virus to public isolation and quarantine centres in the Western Cape.  The fleet will initially comprise 100 minibuses and will follow strict safety and hygiene protocols, including the rigorous cleaning and sanitization of vehicles after every trip.

We are extremely thankful to SANTACO Western Cape for supporting this initiative, as we find innovative ways to make sure that we can assist our residents.

Minister Anroux Marais supports creativity for young learners during the lockdown:

The Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport announced educational resources available for young learners during the Lockdown. An online resource portal for NGOs to share has been developed through a  partnership of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s After School Programme, the Learning Trust, ASSITEJ-SA, and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The Department is also developing printed materials to be used by learners who can’t access the material online, while the site is being zero-rated.

I am grateful for the support of these organisations, as we continue to ensure the education of our children receives the attention it deserves. To view or contribute to this resource, please visit the Treasure Box.

Minister Tertius Simmers announces new homes as government work continues through the pandemic:

Yesterday Minister Simmers announced that 1371 beneficiaries will benefit from new homes that are ready to be handed over across the Western Cape. This includes 267 houses in the Cape Metro and some 229 housing opportunities in Ceres, which is within the Witzenberg municipality. Our government is continuing to work hard throughout this pandemic to continue to deliver on its mandate, and I am excited that these residents will soon move into their new homes. Improving the lives of vulnerable communities is our top priority and a critical part of the response to the pandemic.

17 May 2020

As of 1pm on 17 May, the Western Cape has 5569 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 9246 confirmed cases and 3521 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 487 (23 recovered)

Additional data can be accessed on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

The Western Cape has recorded an additional nine COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 156. We send our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Recoveries:

We are pleased to report that over 3500 people in the province have recovered from COVID-19 infections. The rate of recovery in Witzenberg now stands at 70% of all cases, and in the Western region, half of all recorded cases to date have recovered.  These are especially promising numbers as both of these areas are considered hotspots in the province.

The majority of people will only experience mild symptoms and 90% of patients will not need to be hospitalised.  While many will recover without complications, we must not underestimate the impact of the COVID-19 virus, especially on the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. The infection curve in the Western Cape is moving faster, and we are seeing higher rates of community transmission.

Currently, the Western Cape death rate stands at 1.68% of the total caseload. This is in line with international norms.

Our data also shows us that the overwhelming majority of COVID-19 positive people who have died in the province have had one or more comorbidities.  It is therefore imperative that vulnerable residents take extra precautions- by staying home as much as possible to reduce the risk of infection, and by strictly abiding to the golden rules- including frequent hand washing and other hygiene measures, keeping a distance of at least 1.5 metres from any other person and by wearing a clean, cloth mask when leaving the house.

We can all help to protect the vulnerable by sticking to these same golden rules. Those residents who live with a member of the family who may be vulnerable, must be vigilant to ensure that they do not put their loved ones at additional risk.

Our hotspot plan is systematically addressing infections in nine geographic locations in the province, using the skills, data and experience available across government departments. We are working with the other spheres of government, law enforcement, NGOs and faith based organisations, however, we cannot do this work alone. It requires every one of us to step up and take responsibility to ensure that we are actively doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This is how we will stop the spread.

17 May 2020

Within the next month, 1371 beneficiaries, will across the Western Cape move into their new homes. These houses which are ready to be handed over are in various municipal district areas, including the Cape Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route, West Coast, and Cape Metro.

This is an exciting period for all of us in the Human Settlements sector, particularly since contractors have been allowed to return to site, which makes these handovers possible. We are looking forward to sharing this exciting life changing experience with our beneficiaries.

Due to Alert level five/lockdown, houses could not be handed over to beneficiaries sooner. With the return of contractors, we’ve been able to consolidate the potential handovers. In Forest Village alone, which is in the Cape Metro, 267 houses will be handed over. We’ve also just learned that of the 229 housing opportunities that was available in Ceres, which is in the Witzenberg municipality, 160 was handed over just before the lockdown.

I am particularly looking forward to visiting this municipal area to hand over the remainder of the houses. Outside the Cape Metro, Witzenberg has the second highest infection rate in the province, currently sitting at 195. With residents from immediate areas, such as Nduli, Belle Vista, Op die Berg, Prince Alfred’s Hamlet, Tulbagh, Slanghoek and Ceres-town, all set to benefit, we know it will drastically improve the lives of these beneficiaries and their families.

As our continued focus is to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in communities, which includes the elderly, disabled, backyard dwellers, child-headed households and those longest on the housing waiting list, we further know these handovers across the province, will place our beneficiaries in a stronger to help fight against COVID-19.

This is so, as their immediate occupancy will assist in maintaining social distancing, while strengthening the practice of effective and good hygiene.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za / 021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

or

Mr. Nathan Adriaanse

Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations

Tel: 021 483-2868 / Cell: 083 263 1720

16 May 2020

As of 1pm on 16 May, the Western Cape has 5263 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 8507 confirmed cases and 3097   recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 474 (21 recovered)

Cases previously assigned to Witzenberg (1 case) and Mossel Bay (1 case) have been reallocated to other sub-districts due to updates in address data.

Additional data can be accessed on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

The Western Cape has recorded an additional ten COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 147. We send our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the deceased at this time.

Today’s statistics show a considerable jump in new infections over the past 24 hours. There are a number of reasons for this large jump: as we have indicated before, the curve of the virus is moving faster in the Western Cape as a result of entrenched community transmission in some of the Western Cape’s hotspot areas. The Western Cape has also seen a considerable increase in the number of tests conducted in the past 24 hours (6150 additional tests), and backlogs in the processing of tests at the National Health Laboratory Services result in batches of results being released simultaneously.

President’s Coordinating Council:

Today, I attended a virtual meeting of the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Coordinating Council. This meeting comprises Ministers, the Premiers of all nine provinces, as well as representatives from the South African Local Government Association.

The focus of the discussion was around the response to COVID-19 across the provinces, and the move towards alert level 3 of the lockdown. We received a number of presentations including one from the National Department of Health.

The Western Cape presented its hotspot strategy to the group, as the provincial response to the number of infections in nine geographical areas. These areas- in each of the City of Cape Town’s eight sub-districts, and in Witzenberg account for a large proportion of the Western Cape’s infections. Using the data and evidence available to us, we will be able to specifically target these areas with responses from across government departments.

All of the information presented will  be taken into the National Command Council Meeting to be held tomorrow, where further deliberations will take place.

May 2020

As of 1pm on 15 May, the Western Cape has 4592 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 7586 confirmed cases and 2857  recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 127 (19 recovered)

The Western Cape has recorded an additional eight COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 137 . We extend our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Additional data can be accessed on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

Today marks the 50th day since lockdown was implemented in South Africa and I would like to thank all the residents of the Western Cape who have played their part in helping to ensure that the Western Cape has had the time to prepare the healthcare system.

We have used that time to ramp up community screening and testing- having now screened over 447 000 people in the province based on our active case finding targeted approach, and tested over 11 600 of these. Our total testing numbers have now also topped 80 000 in the province.

We have built and opened testing and triage centres and total of 18 of these will be operational at hospitals across the province.

Work to convert the CTICC into an 850 bed hospital continues apace, and we have put out a call, and received over 1000 offers to volunteer from medical professionals in the province. We are finalising the leases on three more facilities to be used as temporary hospitals, in the province.

We have developed systems to track how much PPE is available in the Western Cape Government health system, and have several more orders in the pipeline.

We have identified and procured quarantine and isolation facilities in the province, and are working to identify more of these spaces so that we can ensure that those who are not able to self isolate or quarantine at home, can do so safely in these facilities.

We have also devised our hotspot strategies for Witzenberg and for the City of Cape Town, which provide a whole of government response to fighting infections in these areas. These strategies will provide an evidence-led and data-driven response across government departments to ensure that we respond effectively, from every angle to reduce both the spread of the virus as well as its impact on communities.

We believe that in conjunction with targeted hotspot strategy for specific geographical areas, the province can and should, move to alert level 3. It is imperative that we as a country and a province, now start to adapt to the “new normal”  and find the balance between protecting our people from COVID-19, while ensuring that they are able to work, and put food on the table for themselves and their families. The hardlock down was necessary but it has also resulted in severe economic hardship for many, and an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. It is the poor and vulnerable in our society who will bear the brunt. We need to save lives now and in the future too.

This is what we will tell President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minsiter, Dr Zweli Mkhize during the consultation process.

I would also like to once again thank all of the hard working front line staff who have worked through out this period including those in retail, agriculture, law enforcement and municipal services. I especially want to recognise our health care workers, and those across government departments, who have ensured that we have been able to care for those who are ill, while simultaneously preparing for the peak of this virus.

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 15 May 2020

Release: immediately

R1.8 billion in UIF TERS funding disbursed in the Western Cape

According to the latest information we have received from the Department of Employment and Labour, R1.8 billion of the Unemployment Insurance Fund Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (UIF TERS) funds have been disbursed to 615 188 employees in the Western Cape as of 10 May 2020. We are pleased to see that employees in the Western Cape are starting to receive much-needed financial support during the Covid-19 crisis.

Ensuring that businesses in the province are able to access and receive the support made available through the financial relief packages put in place for Covid-19, such as UIF TERS, is critical to ensuring the resilience of our economy, and maintaining the livelihoods of those living in the Western Cape.

And so, we encourage all businesses in the Western Cape to apply for the financial relief packages available, and we will work hard to assist them in this regard.

To assist businesses to find and access the financial support measures available, the Western Cape Government, City of Cape Town and Wesgro have developed an online tool that, in five easy steps, helps businesses identify the support measures they qualify for based on their criteria. This support finder tool can be found at supportbusiness.co.za

Businesses who qualify and are battling to access the support can email our business support team at supportbusiness@wesgro.co.za for assistance.

In addition, we have taken a number of other steps to ensure that businesses are assisted to access financial relief packages available. These include:

• Weekly engagements with a broad range of business chambers and industry associations to share with them information about the support measures in place and encouraging their members to apply
• Hosting public webinars for businesses on the financial support measures available, which includes a session explaining UIF TERS. This webinar is available for public to view on YouTube.

It is also critical for us to understand whether or not these funds, and in this case the applications for the UIF TERS funds, are being processed in a timely manner, and if not, why not.

And so, we are directly liaising with the Department of Employment and Labour to address the challenges they are facing with regards to paying out the funds to approved beneficiaries.

I have also personally written to the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, to request the following statistical information:

1. How many applications for UIF TERS funding have been received from Western Cape,
2. Of the applications, how many have been approved by your Department, and
3. What are the total number of beneficiaries.

Furthermore, we are also conducting our own survey to understand how many businesses in the Western Cape have applied for the UIF TERS funding scheme, and which have successfully received funds, and which have not.

This statistical information, and the information from the survey, will help us understand where the challenges lie in the distribution of these funds, and how we can continue to help businesses in the Western Cape to access these funds. Where businesses have not received funds, our aim is to understand the reason for this and then identify the appropriate solution.

We are committed to doing everything we can to support businesses in the Western Cape so that we can save businesses, save jobs and save the economy in the Western Cape.

Notes for media: 

To view the statement online visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/r18-billion-uif-ters-funding-disbursed-western-cape

Note for business: For more info on health guidelines and Covid-19 resources for business visit: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked-questions-how-prevent-and-manage-covid-19-infections

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Tel: 021 483 4327 / Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

If you do not want to receive future media releases from Minister David Maynier then please reply directly to this email requesting to be removed from our mailing list.

15 May 2020

I’m pleased to note that the National Government has made an about-turn and removed the 7 June deadline for citizens to move to their new homes. I also welcome the opportunity that businesses now have, to move to new premises, should they require to do so.

It is further noteworthy that “movement necessitated due to domestic violence,” has also been included.

The new Gazetted regulations as signed into law on 14 May, by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, means that the directives as issued on 7 May 2020, are repealed.

It is critical to note that this is still a once-off movement of persons and goods, “to facilitate the movement of persons and goods within and across provincial, metropolitan or district boundaries during the period of Alert level 4.”

This refers “to the movement of persons and goods, where –

(i)              A person who needs to travel to his or her new place of residence or business and to transport goods which are limited to household or office furniture and effects and

(ii)             Permits already granted, remain in force.”

It is critical to note that the persons, which includes all those “who are part of the household, who will be required to move” and would be travelling, would require permits “from the

head of court or a person designated by him or her, or the station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her.”

Furthermore, “the relevant lease agreements indicating the date of expiry of the old lease or the date of commencement of the new lease, or the proof of purchase of residence and occupation date, or the transfer documents attesting to the change of ownership of property, or a domestic violence order, or proof of change or new occupation of business premises,” should also be in their possession.

I’d like to encourage all those who has been looking forward to this opportunity to utilise it, while continuing to adhere to all required protocols, as to ensure there’s no chance of spreading COVID-19.

This also further strengthens my Department’s opportunity to expeditiously relocate our beneficiaries, particularly for those who’s been waiting to move into their new homes.

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

Or

Nathan Adriaanse

Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Tell: 021 483 2868 / Mobile: 083 2631720 / Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za