Enock lawyers send letter of demand to dept
Legal representatives for the Mpianzi family say they have sent a letter of demand to the Gauteng department of education. Ian Levitt, the family's lawyer, announced this on Tuesday. This comes a month after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) received an inquest docket regarding the death of Parktown Boys' High pupil Enock Mpianzi during a school camp in January 2020. Acting director of public prosecutions in Gauteng, advocate George Baloyi, was expected to make a decision whether to prosecute after the release of a forensic report commissioned by the department of education and released by Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi on March 4. It pointed to “negligence and extreme recklessness” on the part of the Nyati Bush and River Break Lodge, teachers who had accompanied the schoolchildren to the orientation camp, and the school itself.
Six dead, 18 hurt as trucks collide in Cape
Six people were killed and at least 18 injured on Tuesday morning when two trucks collided on the N1 in the Western Cape. ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said the collision, before 8am, occurred between Touws River and De Doorns, near the Montagu exit. Paramedics found a large truck and a smaller one in the middle of the road, with several people scattered around the wreckage. “Medics ... found that six people had sustained fatal injuries. Nothing could be done for them and they were declared dead. At least 18 other patients were tended to on the scene. Assessments showed the injuries sustained ranged from critical to moderate,” said Meiring. Several patients needed advanced life support at the scene.
Ex-mayor Mashaba pauses party launch
Former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba says plans for launching his political party are still in the pipeline, but have been paused due to the Covid-19 crisis. Mashaba was answering questions on his Twitter page. "Because of the current situation facing our country with this invisible coronavirus, unfortunately, we have to respect the loss of our country forcing us to put everything on hold," said Mashaba. The name of his party, which was launched under the banner of The People's Dialogue, might change, said Mashaba, adding that it would be decided by South Africans. On the coronavirus and nationwide lockdown, he said: “I'm personally pleased with the manner in which the president and the government is handling this matter.”
China gets ahead of the curve, outpaces US
China last year became the world leader in international patent filings, unseating the US, which had held the top spot for more than four decades, the UN said Tuesday. A record 265,800 international patent applications were filed last year, a hike of 5.2% from 2018. – AFP
Masks a must before showing your face in Israel
The Israeli government issued orders making the wearing of masks in public compulsory to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus. It also approved a timeline for tightened travel restrictions for the Passover holiday. PM Benjamin Netanyahu last week urged Israelis to wear masks while in public, a measure the government said would become compulsory as of Sunday. – Reuters
101-year-old woman escapes lockdown
A 101-year-old woman crept out of an old-ago home to visit her daughter on her birthday. Officers intercepted her after she had escaped via an emergency exit at the home in northern Germany. Brunswick police said they were called out after the senior lost her way in her search for her daughter’s house in a suburb. Although the elderly woman said she lived with her daughter, officers suspected the truth, later confirmed by the daughter. – AFP
Wednesday, April 8 2020
LOCKDOWN LOSERS
THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER
Ndabeni-Abrahams is a huge, embarrassing misfit in cabinet. Fire her!
She has made the headlines too many times, for all the wrong reasons. The latest one could be dire for SA
Lonely? Stupid? SA’s dying to know why Stella lunched at Chez Manana
When the minister enters the Grand Central Station of infection in lockdown, we must question her intellect
Fake news has resulted in deaths in the past. Will it do so again?
In a weekend video, a Stephen Birch said swabs used to test for Covid-19 were contaminated
SMART NEWS
IN ONE TAKE
Desperate businesses swamp Rupert’s relief fund
Small and medium enterprises have also turned to government and private firms to get their money back
This hero refuses to abandon the orphans in the virus storm
Volunteer in lockdown at children’s home because ‘they need me more than I need to be comfortable at home’
Homo naledi, junior edition: new find rocks the Cradle
The discovery of the partial skeleton of a child provides clues to modern human growth patterns, say scientists
Pupils test positive for STIs, despite ‘effective’ sex lessons
‘Sexually active young people must be encouraged to screen for STIs each time they change a sexual partner’
Missing the water-cooler skinder? Worry not, help is at hand
Office culture has taken a knock, but experts believe technology could be a saving grace amid Covid-19
SNAPSHOT
Image: Esa Alexander
6 things you need to know
Enock lawyers send letter of demand to dept
Six dead, 18 hurt as trucks collide in Cape
Ex-mayor Mashaba pauses party launch
China gets ahead of the curve, outpaces US
Masks a must before showing your face in Israel
101-year-old woman escapes lockdown
THE VISUAL SIDE
Business Breakthrough University in Tokyo held a graduation ceremony for students using avatar robots. This was done remotely, controlled by graduating students from their homes in a response to the current Covid-19 global pandemic.
CROSSWORDS
GIVE YOUR BRAIN SOME EXERCISE
Today’s cryptic crossword
It's time to put your brain to work
Today’s quick crossword
How fast can you get it done?
LIFE
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Steve Steinfeld reviews the home kitchen, the eating option taking the country by storm
Six food stores that are locked and loaded to deliver to your door
As lockdown borders on its third week, we round up our fave places that are offering to bring supplies to you
No reservations required: foodie flicks for big nights in
From cult classics to animations, nine cooking-inspired movies to feast on during lockdown
Blast from the past: blistering barefoot record breaker
Today in SA sports history: April 8
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