COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES | ‘We are overwhelmed by Covid-19’, say health care workers

President Cyril Ramaphosa
Image: GCIS/ JAIRUS MMUTLE

June 18 2020 - 7:02

We are already overwhelmed by Covid-19: WC health care workers

Bodies are piling up in a small room that doubles as a makeshift mortuary in one of Cape Town’s district hospitals, said an emergency nurse working there.

By Wednesday (June 17) 1,205 people had died of Covid-19 and 45,767 had been infected in the Western Cape, the epicentre of the pandemic in South Africa. At least 31,824 have recovered so far.

June 18 2020 - 6:14

Tobacco giant takes government to court over 'unconstitutional' ban

Cigarette manufacturing company British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) has filed papers in the Western Cape High Court challenging the ongoing ban on tobacco sales.

The company, which filed a joint application with some tobacco farmers and a tobacco consumers' group, is hoping that their matter will be heard in court by next Monday.