South Africa coronavirus: avoid churches, reopening is death trap - Malema

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South Africa has become a COVID-19 model for the continent in many ways since it confirmed its index case on 5th March, 2020. From the area of testing through to record number of recoveries, South Africa has been praised for pro-activeness in combating the virus.

The economic intervention measures rolled out by President Cyril Ramaphosa has also been classed as one of the most comprehensive across the continent. South Africa was one of the earliest to roll out such measures.

Challenges have been recorded in the area of enforcing the three-week lockdown which was augmented by two weeks. Spike in cases at certain points and incidents of shoplifting and increase in domestic violence cases have all been headaches Pretoria continues to deal with.

That President Ramaphosa is also the current Chairperson of the African Union, AU; means he has the delicate task of juggling national tasks withe the continental as Africa seeks global support to combat the pandemic.

Key statistics as at May 28, data from National Institute For Communicable Diseases, NICD

Total confirmed cases = 27,403
Total recoveries = 14,370
Total deaths = 577
Active cases = 12,456

May 29: EFF says church reopening, death trap

Stay away from places of worship, that is the appeal that Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF; leader Julius Malema has given to members of the party and other South Africans.

The EFF has been stiffly opposed to the decision by government to further ease lockdown measures at a time cases of the COVID-19 were rising. This is despite a caveat that only 50 people will be allowed to worship at any given time.

Speaking a press conference yesterday with days to the easing of sanctions, Malema said a reopening further exposed people to the virus which was impacting health care delivery.

President Ramaphosa announced a reopening of the economy starting June 1, which move excited the main opposition Democratic Alliance but alarmed the EFF who rejected it.

Malema shortly after Ramaphosa’s speech tweeted a photo with the words “It will end in tears.” EFF leaders took to social media to censure the president.