First Take SA

The Competition Commission of South Africa is taking 28 banks to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution for the manipulation of the value of the US Dollar to the South African Rand. This follows an investigation which shows that these banks directly and indirectly manipulated trade of the two currencies in relation to Bids and the Spot Exchange rate. The banks had initially appealed the findings citing that the competition authorities do not have jurisdiction over their activities as they took place outside of South Africa. Deputy Commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu however says the new charges against the banks prove that the collusion to fix prices had a direct and immediate effect on South African consumers and the economy.

The High Court in Pretoria has declared the lockdown unconstitutional and invalid. The court has however suspended the declaration for two weeks, meaning that level 3 lockdown regulations remain in operation for now. Members of the National Coronavirus Command Council have been ordered to review, amend and republish the regulations so that they are in line with the Bill of Rights. The Liberty Fighters Network brought the case to court, arguing the rules are unconstitutional.

The SA Human Rights Commission has called on the Western Cape Department of Education to stop teaching at schools in the province. The commission says this is in line with a decision which was taken by the Department of Basic Education which stated that schools across the country would reopen on the 8th of June and not the 1st as was previously reported. Schools in the Western Cape, however, re-opened on Monday

With the possibility of retrenchments heightened by the current COVID-19 lockdown, Some South African companies have come under fire for using the Coronavirus as an excuse to retrench employees. Millions of South Africans face retrenchment as a result of the pandemic which has claimed more than 700 lives and infected over 35-thousand people in the country

South Africans flocked to liquor outlets across the country from the early hours of yesterday following the lifting of the ban on the sale of alcohol. Under level 3 of the lock-down alcohol can be sold from Monday to Thursday, between 9am and 5pm only. No alcohol sales are permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays. Traders will also only be permitted to sell alcohol for off-site consumption. Consumption of alcohol at the place of sale is prohibited.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the schooling system has to be re-engineered, timetables adjusted, and curriculum reviewed as the whole school term has now been lost due to the Coronavirus crisis. Schools were scheduled to reopen on the 1st of June for grade seven and twelve learners. However the minister postponed re-opening to the 8th of June, saying this was to allow the procurement of personal protective equipment and the implementation of necessary protocols.

Thousands of Unisa students failed to write their online examinations last week after the system crashed. A number of papers were postponed after lecturers failed to upload examinations. Other exams went ahead with students answering questions but failing to upload the answers. The university, which was the only institution to forge ahead with online examination, hopes this week will be better.

The Covid-19 regulations that forbid the viewing of a deceased body by bereaved families have had a negative impact for Sigamlele family in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape and the Madlala family in Mthwalume in KwaZulu Natal. The bodies of their loved ones were mistakenly swapped by the mortuary. The bodies were transported from Western Cape to the respective families.

The department of basic education LAST NIGHT announced that schools will now re-open on the 8th of June 2020 for Grades 7 and 12. Learners were initially scheduled to report back at schools THIS MORNING. The department postponed, at the last minute, its briefing that was supposed to take place LAST NIGHT. Minister Angie Motshekga is now expected to brief the media at eleven o' clock this morning. Last Friday, teacher unions and national governing body associations unanimously expressed their position that the education system is not ready for the re-opening of schools.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the media has informed, stimulated debate and helped hold those in government accountable. Ramaphosa told editors during a virtual discussion with South African Editors Forum (SANEF) on the role played by media in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he will instruct Police Minister Bheki Cele to insure the safe return of South Africa journalist, Paul Nthoba who fled to Lesotho after being intimidated by police.