Post Wednesday, July 15, 2020

FROM FIGURES TO FACES Covid-19 has claimed the lives of people of all ages, from all walks of life, leaving families bereft POST REPORTERS WITH a growing number of people being infected and dying as a result of Covid-19, President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned: “Our greatest challenge still lies ahead.” In his weekly column to the nation, Rampahosa said: “Our nation is confronted by the gravest crisis in the history of our democracy.” For many, the figures they once heard about have turned into faces they know. In some cases, entire families have tested positive. Families have spoken of their trauma as loved ones were taken away to hospital. For most, their last contact with sick loved ones was when the ambulance arrived to take them to hospital. In some…

Bachchan keeps fans posted on Covid-19 recovery POST REPORTER FRANCIS MASCARENHAS Reuters BOLLYWOOD superstar Amitabh Bachchan has taken to social media to regularly update his “extended family” on his and his family’s progress since their Covid-19 news. As India made news headlines for a surge in its infection rate at the weekend – prompting a reintroduction of lockdowns in some states – Bachchan took to social media to announce that he was Covid-19 positive. Later, his son Abhishek said he, his wife, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, and daughter Aaradhya were also infected. On Saturday evening, Bachchan wrote on Twitter: “I have tested Covid positive… shifted to hospital… hospital informing authorities… family and staff undergone tests, results awaited… All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are…

COVID-19: THE GRIM REALITY Stage 1: Planning in advance THERE are thousands of new Covid-19 infections occurring daily in South Africa and the possibility of contracting the virus is likely to increase over the next few months. Have you thought about what would happen if you contracted the virus and had to self-isolate for two weeks or, even worse, require hospitalisation? Geraldine Bartlett, the chief professional officer at Universal Healthcare, one of South Africa’s leading health-care companies, said while more than 80% of people are only likely to be mildly ill with Covid-19, there are still things that you should plan for and organise if you have to self-isolate at home for the obligatory 14 days. She said it was worth doing scenario-planning and considering the things that need…

Case against terror suspects dismissed Magistrate strikes matter off the roll citing unreasonable delays CHARLENE SOMDUTH FARHAD Hoomer, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the attack at the Imam Hussein Mosque in Verulam, believes justice has been served. This comes after the case against him and 11 co-accused was struck off the roll in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The men were accused of an attack on the mosque and planting incendiary devices around Durban in 2018. The other accused were Abasi Juma; Abubakari Ali; Mohammed Akbar; Muhammed Adil Sobrun; Omar Iddy; Ndikumana Shabani Umande; Thabit Said Mwenda; Mohammed Seidth; Amani Mayan; Goolam Haffajee and Ahmad Haffajee. They faced charges of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, extortion, kidnapping, contravention of the Explosives Act and arson. In May 2018,…

‘Killed over a noisy car engine’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH A PIETERMARITZBURG father who was shot outside a tuck shop in Northdale on Saturday had dreams of starting his own business. Kubendran Sholan Chinnadu, 29, an electrician, was shot in the back. He died at the scene. His brother, Sherwin, said Chinnadu left home at around 10.30pm with two of his friends. “Their intention was to drop off one of the friends at his home. My brother was driving, while the owner of the vehicle sat in the passenger seat and the other friend at the back. On their way, they stopped at a nearby tuck shop to buy some things.” Sherwin said they stopped on the road and he believed the residents of a nearby property complained that the engine of…

Home revamp ‘gives family second chance’ Mandela Day will be observed on Saturday, on Madiba’s birthday. Nelson Mandela fought for social justice for 67 years, and on this day each year citizens globally spend 67 minutes honouring his legacy and his values through volunteer work and community service. This year, because of the Covid-19 lockdown and the need for social distancing, Mandela Day will still be celebrated – although cautiously They have lived without electricity for 23 years CHANELLE LUTCHMAN SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) IN 2005, while speaking in the UK for the Make Poverty History Campaign, Nelson Mandela said poverty was not natural. “It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings,” Mandela had said. Fifteen years later, and thousands…