President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the country to end the stigma against people who have contracted or survivors of coronavirus.
Ramaphosa who was accompanied by, health minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize, Justice and Correscrional services minister, a Ronald Lamola, Basic education minister, Angie Motshekga, minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu and deputy minister of health Joe Phaahla said he was pleased with the province’s intervention in curbing the spread of the coronavirus and also the plans on economic recovery.
Ramaphosa and ministers were taken to the provincial command council, Rob Ferreira hospital which is designated for cases of COVID-19 and the Cyril Clarke secondary school.
“I like the strategy of starting coronavirus virus forums. This is an initiative which is fantastic as a province of the rising sun, we also look forward to have the country having coronavirus forums. Where people can have discussions around coronavirus, I commend you and we will be propagating it all around the country.
To support people, because we have another problem which is raging in our country.
The intolerance which the people have to those who are are seen to have contracted the coronavirus and the stigmatization where people now begin to fear and avoid them and don’t even want to contact with people who are known to have contracted it and recovered. The stigmatization must stop, we can not move forward with the stigmatization which is being carried by some within our society.” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa also warned that though the numbers of infected people in Mpumamanga are low but planning for worse must be always done for the province to be ready when the numbers increase.
“Your numbers are low compared to other provinces, as predicted you are going to have your numbers of infections to increase, what I’m pleased about is that you are getting ready and ready by each day. I’m happy with the economic recovery plan which you have. Please keep doing the right thing, wear your masks and wash your hands. I’m happy that you have taken the focus to the ward level and doing well with your contact tracing.” said Ramaphosa.
Earlier on Friday Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane told Ramaphosa’s delegation that the province and the country is having another pandemic which is gender based violence.
She said the province of Mpumalanga have recorded a total of 730 cases of gender based violence “inflicted by men, to women and children”.
“Your Excellency, we are equally concerned about another pandemic that is afflicting the women of this country. Not a day goes by without us hearing horrific stories of violent and brutal crimes perpetrated by men against women.
The fact that the number of GBV incidents have increased since the invocation of lockdown is a testament of the fact that there is no safe place for women.
In Mpumalanga alone, we have recorded a total of 730 GBV cases lodged since the commencement of the lockdown. These are unacceptable figures and indicate that a war is being waged against women by men in this country.” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.
Ramaphosa said government is trying to bring legislations that will bring an end to gender based violence.
“I would like to end with the issues that you have raised one which is concerning the 730 cases of gender based violence. This is worrying, as we say there should be no place to hide for perpetrators of gender based violence. As we said before we will be going ahead with legislations to make sure that the children and women of our country are protected, it’s unacceptable and has to stop.” said Ramaphosa.
Mtshweni-Tsipane also said the province of Mpumalanga have already prepared mass graves in planning for body bags as per the projection of at least 10-48 deaths per day.
“The gird pillar, or the post COVID-19 aftermath (post surge) talks to the management of human remains o those who have succumbed to COVID-19 with dignity.
Preliminary projections estimate 10-48 deaths per day in the province by mid-July 2020.
To date the province has a total of 347 mortuaries and 33 crematoria in both the private and public sectors,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.
The province is having a total of 1478 cases of coronavirus, with 523 recoveries and seven deaths.
