Covid-19 update: Zwelithini says virus didn't cause GBV cases to spike
AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini commented recently on gender-based violence during lockdown. Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
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AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has commented on the increase of gender-based violence during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The monarch weighed in with his opinion during his Heritage Day address on Thursday.
Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the pandemic below:
Source: UGC
1. Zwelithini: Covid-19 didn't cause GBV
AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini says that an increase in reports of gender-based violence was not caused by the Covid-19 national lockdown.
The king is adamant that South African women have been experiencing this plague long before the virus arrived.
However, Zwelithini acknowledged that the lockdown had served to worsen the situation.
The government's efforts to combat the pandemic were applauded by the king during Umkhosi WeLembe celebrations in the AmaZulu Royal household. The day pays tribute to King Shaka, who had unified the Zulu people.
Zwelithini urged citizens to continue adhering to preventative measures including social distancing and the use of face masks to limit the spread of Covid-19.
2. Mkhize on latest Covid-19 statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has provided South Africa with the latest statistics on the continued battle against Covid-19.
In a statement issued by the Health Department on Thursday evening, Mkhize commented that:
"As of today, the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is 667 049 with 1 861 cases identified."
On the number of fatalities incurred during the pandemic, the minister confirmed an increase:
"Regrettably, we report 77 more Covid-19 related deaths: 7 from Eastern Cape 8 from KwaZulu-Natal, 58 from Gauteng, and 4 from Western Cape. This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths to 16 283."
In some more optimistic news, Mkhize reported that recoveries now stand at 595 916 which translates to a recovery rate of 89,3%.
The provincial breakdown of cases is as follows:
- Eastern Cape- 88 568
- Free State- 45 353
- Gauteng- 218 420
- KwaZulu-Natal- 118 350
- Limpopo- 15 003
- Mpumalanga- 26 842
- North West- 28 688
- Northern Cape- 15 745
- Western Cape- 110 080
Meanwhile, Briefly.co.za reported that Dr Zweli Mkhize and the Ministry of Health took part int he viral Jerusalema challenge on Thursday to celebrate Heritage Day.
This follows calls from President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Africans to unite during these troubling times.
Mkhize and his team showed off their dance moves on Master KG's hit song in a field and they not only perfected it but also managed to still practice lockdown regulations.
At one point in the video, a lady sanitizes her hands before they bust a move while still maintaining the proper social distance from each other.
Mkhize posted a link to the video on his Twitter page, writing:
"The Ministry of Health has accepted President Cyril Ramaphosa's challenge to participate in the #JerusalemaChallenge! Happy #HeritageDay South Africa!"
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Source: Briefly News
