Before we begin we’d like to take a moment to explain what is happening here.
“Why is a technology news website covering COVID-19 news,” is a question we’re bound to receive so we’re going to address it right here.
Regulations published by Stella Ndabeni-Abraham states that “all internet sites operating within .zaDNA top level domain name must have a landing page with a visible link to www.sacoronavirus.co.za”.
As we fall under that regulation, we are required to link to the Department of Health’s website but we’re taking that a step further.
Every morning and every afternoon we will publish an update regarding COVID-19 in South Africa. For the purpose of these updates we will refer solely to the following sources of information:
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases
- Department of Health
- The World Health Organisation
- South African Government
We understand that folks are doing amazing things with data-viz and there are comments from experts that can help, but our goal with these updates is to provide you, our reader, with accurate information from trusted sources. If the source is not reliable, it will not be linked here.
We will also be placing a banner on our home page which you can click at any time to be directed to www.sacoronavirus.co.za.
Our latest update follows on below:
At the time of writing, there has been no change in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country, with it still sitting at 2 415. The number of deaths has also stayed the same, at 27, but there is a rather concerning report that has drawn our attention today.
It involves the SANDF and the death of Alexandra resident, Collin Khosa, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a reported assault by soldiers operating in the area. Times Live has the full report, but at this stage, a murder investigation has been opened with SAPS, and the SANDF has said it will co-operate.
Legal proceedings have also begun, with Khosa’s family looking for damages.
Precisely what fate will fall the parties involved remains to be seen, but this is potentially the worst example of excessive force we have heard to date during the lockdown.
Sticking with the SANDF, it has confirmed that four soldiers have tested positive for COVID-19, three of which are in the Western Cape and one in Gauteng.
For those wanting to know what to do if other incidents of violence occur involving SAPS or the SANDF, head here. For domestic violence during the lockdown, these resources are the best reporting tool.
In order to stay up to date with the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa and abroad, we advise the following materials and platforms:
- Dr Zweli Mkhize on Twitter
- COVID-19 Connect on WhatsApp – add 0600 123 456 as a contact and say “Hi”.
- World Health Organisation
- SA Coronavirus website
- SA Government
- SA Presidency.
[Image – Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash]