For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Over 20 000 people recently arrested for breaching Covid-19 regulations, Parliament blames inadequate planning for chaos at Beitbridge post, And, home affairs registers over 10 000 deaths during first 5 days of 2021

 

Over 20 000 people recently arrested for breaching Covid-19 regulations

Police Minister Bheki Cele said more than 20 000 people have been arrested and/or fined for breaching the Disaster Management Act, including not wearing face masks, since the start of the adjusted level 3 lockdown from December 29.

Cele revealed that 7 455 people were apprehended for not wearing face masks in public.

He said these arrests were made despite people being told continuously to wear their masks. Wearing a mask is mandatory and people caught without one in public are committing an offence.

A further 834 people were arrested for liquor-related infringements, such as for the sale, dispensing, distribution and transporting of alcohol.

 

Parliament blames inadequate planning for chaos at Beitbridge post

After touring the problematic Beitbridge border post, the South African parliament’s portfolio committee on home affairs has partly blamed a lack of adequate planning for the chaos.

In a statement it said the implementation of a one-stop border post with South Africa’s neighbouring countries and the establishment of a Border Management Authority would be a solution to the perennial challenges at the port of entry.

The committee visited the post at the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe on Tuesday in response to the humanitarian crisis that unfolded during the festive season as Covid-19 checks resulted in delays and backed up queues for both human and cargo traffic.

 

And, home affairs registers over 10 000 deaths during first 5 days of 2021

The Department of Home Affairs registered 10 532 deaths in the first five days of the new year.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi fears the numbers could soar by the end of January.

He said if these trends and numbers are going upwards, it suggests there is going to be an even greater demand for death certificates than there is already.

He said the department had proposed that all births and deaths be registered at the health facility where they took place. Birth and death certificates can be collected at the hospital where they took place, especially at hospitals that have home affairs offices.

Mobile units will also be erected to assist whenever offices are closed or when there is a need for collection of death registrations.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

For a news update each morning, register for Polity’s free daily