Neither the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, nor the Premier’s Office, was in any way involved with the event hosted by the provincial legislature, and distance themselves from the purported views expressed by the invited speaker. The international scientific evidence clearly shows that Covid-19 vaccines are the best tools to manage the virus and have saved and continue to save lives.

I am deeply concerned by the call for a nationwide shutdown by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) planned for next Monday, 20 March.

Threats of violence, looting of businesses, intimidation, and disruption of services are totally unacceptable. The EFF has the constitutional right to protest, but it is intolerable for them to threaten the constitutional rights of other citizens, especially where essential services such as individual safety, healthcare, and education are concerned.

1/4 It was wonderful to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Chapman’s Peak Drive with @mec_mitchell today #Chappies 🌄 2/4 Chappies has consistently been ranked among the most scenic drives in the world. It plays a significant role in connecting tourists, cyclists, commuters, & businesses between Hout Bay & Noordhoek, & demonstrates how infrastructure can enable growth.

1/5 🚨 The WC could lose funding equivalent to 1615 doctors or 5981 nurses, and over approximately 9300 teachers if only 70% of residents get counted in the 2022 Census. This would severely undermine the quality of health care and education services that we provide. 2/5 In money terms, we stand to lose R9.7 billion, or over 16% of our provincial equitable share, if only 70% of residents get counted. This would shave R2.6 billion in funding off our health budget & R4.2 billion off our education budget.

1/4 I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to @DebbieSchafer for her excellent service to the people of the WC, especially our province’s children. Debbie will be leaving us to take up a position in the legal sector in the UK, joining some of her family who live there. 2/4 Anyone who knows Debbie knows that she is a strong and tenacious leader, who fights hard each and every day to ensure a well-run, quality focused education system in the Western Cape. Read full joint statement here: bit.ly/3vFADIS

1/4 I visited Langa yesterday following the devastating fires which destroyed 260 dwellings in the fire over the long weekend. I was also joined by the Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, @tertuis23, and the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Pamela Tshwete. 2/4 While in Langa, I expressed my heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the fire. Again, no family should have to suffer such an unimaginable loss, particularly over a period marked by joy and togetherness.

Media release on ongoing public violence in South Africa 📢
 
[1/14] The public violence unfolding in parts of SA today is deeply concerning to me and I call for calm, and a respect for the rule of law in the WC, and across the country. [THREAD] [2/14] I strongly condemn all those involved in these acts of violence and looting, wherever they may be. I understand that President Ramaphosa will address the nation tonight on this matter.

1/5 The Western Cape to introduce system to manage walk-ins of eligible residents at sites, but we encourage residents to wait for their second SMS which will start arriving in greater numbers soon. Read more here ➡️ bit.ly/3bWnBxx 2/5 The Western Cape is avoiding a stop/start vaccination programme, by scaling up as more vaccines become available. Over the last 3 days, nearly 20 000 people vaccinated alone. Read more here: bit.ly/3bWnBxx

1/5 We are intently focused on ramping up the speed of our mass vaccination programme, as well as its reach into rural areas, by rapidly opening more sites across the province. #LetsDoThis 2/5 We have set ambitious targets in this regard, and are aiming to move from vaccinating over 6000 residents per day this week, to 12 000 per day next week, to 24 000 per day the week thereafter. #LetsDoThis

1/4 This week, Western Cape Government Health ramped up phase 2 of the vaccine roll-out for people over 60 in rural districts, starting with old age homes. [THREAD] #LetsDoThis 2/4 Residents in these congregant settings are at very high risk and we are aiming to vaccinate as many residents as possible at these facilities. #LetsDoThis

1/4 During my weekly digicon yesterday, I confirmed that the WC is experiencing a resurgence in Covid-19 cases. This is not yet a "Third Wave”, but the first sign of a surge of cases that could be expected in coming weeks. bit.ly/3tJregk.

#LetsDoThis 2/4 We still have an opportunity to slow this spread down and reduce the number of infections by taking the necessary safety precautions. The power is still in our hands. #LetsDoThis

1/4 I’ve just visited @Shoprite_SA at Watergate Mall in Mitchells Plain where I am continuing the vaccine registration drive for those who are 60 and older. #LetsDoThis 2/4 This is even more important now that the WC has noted a resurgence in cases. While this is not a ‘Third Wave’ yet, it is the first sign that a surge of infections is likely in the next few weeks. #LetsDoThis

1/4 We are at Brackenfell High this morning to meet with SAPS officials. Our top priority is to ensure that the school and its surrounding area are safe, and that learning can continue. Our matrics need to be able to write their exams without any disruption. 2/4 I have also had a conversation with Provincial Police Commissioner, General Matakata, and we are in full agreement that the safety of the school and its learners is non-negotiable and that the necessary police resources will be deployed to ensure this.

1/4 This afternoon I was made aware of a statement put out by the EFF which speaks of further actions by members of this political party tomorrow. [THREAD]

Statement: westerncape.gov.za/news/violent-c… 2/4 In my statement of earlier I specifically called for calm and for actions such as this to be stopped, in the best interests of our learners, and especially our matrics.

We note the statement issued today by Health Minister @DrZweliMkhize in which he notes that some provinces are seeing increases in infections, with a specific mention of the Western Cape only. [THREAD] 2. We are also glad to hear that both him and his wife are recovering from Covid-19 and we wish them both a full recovery.

[THREAD] 1. Nearly five months ago, President @CyrilRamaphosa addressed South Africans about his decision to implement a Hard Lockdown for 21 days. While this was a difficult call, I believe it was the right decision. 2. This is what we did in the WC. We used the Lockdown period effectively, working to make sure that we had field hospitals up-and-running, adequate resources such as PPE& oxygen supplies, while implementing targeted hotspot interventions to contain the virus in our communities.

1. The Western Cape Government will use the process of consultation announced by President @CyrilRamaphosa to make clear our position that the entire province must move down to level 3 as soon as possible, preferably before the end of May 2020.⬇️ @WesternCapeGov 2.With our health care system prepared, it is simply no longer possible to maintain Level 4 restrictions anywhere in the WC or SA. The economic crisis caused by these restrictions has resulted in a life-threatening humanitarian disaster that will only worsen in the months ahead.

1. Today was the first day of level four lockdown in SA. Many residents in the WC, just like the rest of the country, took up the opportunity to exercise in line with these new regulations promulgated by the National Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 2. These regulations allow residents to exercise within a 5km radius of their homes between 6 am and 9 am.