Author: svadmin

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, says he is pleased many residents in the 35 to 49 age bracket have registered in their numbers for their COVID-19 vaccine.

“We have nearly reached 300 000 registrations in just four days, and we are fast approaching 1 000 000 registrations in the Western Cape overall,” said Winde on Sunday.

The registration of this age group on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) opened on Thursday last week.

Meanwhile, he said the Department of Health has indicated that the EVDS has already started scheduling vaccinations for this age group and that appointments will be starting sooner than initially planned.

“Some residents in this age bracket have asked me whether they can walk in already too. The simple answer is yes,” he said.

However, there are some complexities which need to be considered and the provincial government would prefer residents to wait for an appointment if they can.

“The Western Cape is trying to manage the limited number of vaccines it has at each site fairly, based on those who are most vulnerable. The best and most objective way to do this is by age. This is because older residents have a much higher chance of dying if they are infected, based on very sound research globally,” he explained.

In addition, the provincial government is still signing up residents who are aged 50 and above and have yet to receive the first dose of the vaccine.

There is also an even a larger proportion of those who are 60 years and over, still needing their second dose.

“But we only have a set number of doses to use each week, and at each site.”

Prioritisation

To manage this, the Premier said the Western Cape has introduced a prioritisation system for walk-ins to ensure fairness at public sites. However, private vaccination centres might operate differently.

The over 60 residents requiring a first or second dose are currently a top priority in the walk-in queue, as they are at the highest risk of hospitalisation and death and find it the most difficult to register online and will be assisted first.

“We will then assist those walk-ins in the 50 to 59 age bracket who need their first dose, followed by those in the next age bracket, 35 to 49.”

This means that walk-ins for the 35 plus bracket are possible at public sites but might have to wait longer and Winde said they could not guarantee that they will be helped if the vaccine allocation at the site is used up.

“An appointment remains the preferred route at this early stage,” he said.

The Premier said that they can administer about 150 000 vaccinations a week, including second doses which must be given six weeks after the first dose.

“Six weeks ago, the Western Cape vaccinated approximately 70 000 people, who will now also be needing a second dose. We must ensure proper planning for this so that no one is left behind.”

He said he was confident that as vaccine supplies increase and more people are vaccinated in the over 50 bracket, the pace in the 35 plus group will pick up and more walk-ins in this bracket will be helped and quicker.

“I am also constantly pushing for more vaccines, and opening more sites, for this very reason. I want to thank the entire 35 plus for their patience and understanding, and for being so enthusiastic to get vaccinated.

“This is exactly what we need to beat the pandemic and save lives and jobs.”

He has assured them that they will get their vaccine soon.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the dismissal of a senior Gauteng Department of Health official for her role in the irregular awarding of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contracts.

The official, Thandiwe Pino, Chief Director: Supply Chain and Asset Management in the department, has been dismissed following an internal disciplinary hearing.

Last year, the SIU investigated allegations of maladministration, greed, nepotism and corruption in the appointment of service providers by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) to supply PPE and related goods and services.

The allegations were referred by Office of the Premier in Gauteng in March 2020 and later formed part of Proclamation R23 of 2020, which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of impropriety in connection with the affairs of all State institutions.

Part of the allegations received stated that Royal Bhaca Projects was irregularly awarded a contract to the value of R125 million by the GDoH to supply various PPE items due to its Director’s close proximity to the MEC of GDoH, Dr Bandile Masuku.

It was also alleged that Ledla Structural Development (PTY) Ltd, a company with links to Royal Bhaca, was appointed by the GDoH to provide PPE to the value of R139 million.

Another aspect to be investigated was that the department awarded Beadica 423 cc a R68 million PPE contract. Included in the products to supply were surgical masks, N95 face masks and FFP2 face masks.

An SIU investigation revealed that proper procurement processes were not followed in awarding contracts to the three entities by Chief Financial Officer, Kabelo Lehloenya and Pino.

Lehloenya resigned when the allegations surfaced. The SIU was subsequently granted a preservation order by the Special Tribunal to freeze her pension benefits, pending the finalisation of civil action against her.

In line with Section 5(7) of the SIU Act 74 of 1996, the SIU referred to the GDoH evidence in support of the institution of disciplinary action against Pino for alleged contraventions of, inter alia; Section 217(1) of the Constitution, Section 38(1)(a)(iii) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA); the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act: Regulations; Sections 45(a) to (e) of the PFMA; relevant National Treasury Practise Notes; the Supply Chain Management (“SCM”) Policy/ies of the GDoH, and her failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct of the Public Service.

The GDoH actioned the referral by the SIU and instituted disciplinary charges against her.

“The SIU provided evidence and support at the disciplinary hearing. The SIU was informed that Ms Pino was found guilty on the disciplinary charges and a sanction of dismissal was made,” said the SIU.

The SIU said the sanction meted against Pino was a clear demonstration of implementation of SIU referrals for disciplinary action.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has sent a strong message discouraging suppliers from inflating prices of essential items amid the unrest that engulfed the country the past few days.

According to the NCC, these are the goods listed under Consumer and Customer Protection and National Disaster Management Regulations and Directions, issued in terms of Regulation 350 of Government Notice 43116.

This comes after reports of possible food shortages in both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces following the looting of stores and damage to infrastructure.

“Regulation 350 read with sections 40 and 48 was gazetted by government to prevent suppliers from profiteering during the period of the National Disaster. This was done to protect consumers against unfair, unreasonable, or unjust pricing,” the NCC explained.

In terms of Regulation 350, the NCC said government intends to promote concerted conduct to prevent an escalation of the national state of disaster.

It also aims to alleviate, contain and minimise the effects of the national state of disaster and protect consumers and customers from unconscionable, unfair, unreasonable, unjust, or improper commercial practices during the national disaster.

“With this said, it is unreasonable and unfair for suppliers of goods to take advantage of this state of national disaster by unfairly increasing the prices of goods without any economic justification to do so.”

Acting Consumer Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, said both Sections 40 and 48 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) make it prohibited conduct for a supplier to increase their prices unconscionably.

“Section 48 states that a supplier must not offer to supply or enter into an agreement to supply goods and services at a price that is unfair or unconscionable. Unfair, unreasonable, or unjust pricing is when a supplier increases prices of goods or services that do not correspond to or not equivalent to the increase of providing that service or good,” she said.

She said the goods and services in question are those which relate to basic food and consumer items, emergency products and services, medical and hygiene supplies as well as emergency clean-up products and services.

Some of these items include toilet paper, all-purpose cleaners, baby formula, disposable nappies, bleach, cooking oil, wheat flour, rice, maize meal, pasta, sugar, long-life milk, canned and frozen vegetable and canned, frozen and fresh meat, chicken or fish.

The regulator said a supplier or person contravening these regulations could be fined up to R1 million, up to 10% of a firm’s annual turnover, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months.

Consumers are encouraged to monitor the market and report any suspicious unfair price increases of these goods and services.

“The NCC will continue with its efforts of implementing the provisions of the CPA by reducing and ameliorating any disadvantages experienced in accessing any supply of goods or services by a consumer,” she added.

Source: South African Government News Agency