March 26, 2020.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines:

Ramaphosa tests negative for Covid-19

The Army will help police limit movement during lockdown

And, Mthembu says journalism is an important national asset and necessity during pandemic

Ramaphosa tests negative for Covid-19

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested negative for the novel coronavirus, his office said today.

Ramaphosa submitted for testing as a precautionary measure on the advice of his physicians on Tuesday, his spokesperson Khusela Diko said, adding that the president received his negative result on Wednesday night.

Diko said as Head of State and Chair of the National Command Council  the president has a rigorous public engagements schedule; and has, during the course of the last few weeks, held numerous meetings with a wide cross section of people from all walks of life.

The Army will help police limit movement during lockdown

The South African National Defence Force will play a supportive role during the 21-day lockdown, aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus, by assisting the police to limit the movement of South Africans in terms of the Disaster Management Act.

Defence Force Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said soldiers would be deployed throughout the country to aid South African Police Service officials, who have to enforce regulations in terms of the Act.

Police Minister Bheki Cele earlier explained that South Africans would be confined to their homes.

Mthembu says journalism is an important national asset and necessity during pandemic

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said government appreciated the role of the media during the coronavirus pandemic following government’s classification of the media as an essential service during the Covid-19 lockdown.        

He urged media employers to ensure that journalists had access to protective supplies and equipment to keep them safe and safeguard the wellbeing of those journalists may come into contact with during the lockdown.     

He said government was doing its best to balance the provision of information with the preservation of the good health and life of all stakeholders during this period.

That’s a round-up of news making headlines

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