Cape Town - Interesting Articles

[Hooked]

Salt River residents warned of coronavirus case
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/salt-river-residents-warned-of-coronavirus-case
5 April 2020

"Members of the community policing forum in Salt River have warned residents that a 73-year-old man in the suburb has tested positive for COVID-19.

On Sunday, 5 April 2020 the Salt River community policing forum confirmed the case on behalf of the Marlie family, stating that their uncle Mogammad Mallick Marlie in Salt River has the coronavirus.

“He is currently in hospital and in isolation. As a family, we have been advised by the Department of Health and medical team to remain in quarantine. We are sharing this information as it is vital for ensuring that the Salt River community is kept safe , educated about the virus and keep their distance from the Marlie family at this stage,” said the family in a statement..."

 

[Hooked]

Thousands of birds visit Langebaan amid lockdown
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/thousands-of-birds-visit-langebaan-amid-lockdown
5 April 2020

"All around the world nature is bouncing back as humans are forced to stay indoors due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Western Cape is no exception as a huge number of birds flocked to Langebaan while locals stayed inside.

A video shared to Facebook by a resident from Paradise Beach in Langebaan. In the video thousands of birds can be seen descending onto the beach in huge numbers like never before.

The man filming the video explains how he has never seen something like this in Langebaan ever before, comparing it to the sardine run.

He goes on to explain how ever since the lockdown the birds have been enjoying having the beach to themselves and even the dolphins have been frolicking in the nearby bay.

“Western Cape Now, nature is loving the lockdown for humans” says the caption of the video.

 

[Hooked]

I would think so and I also think that having food delivered lowers one's risk of being exposed to the virus in supermarkets.

@Silver Re the food deliveries. I've since found out that if one has a permit, it is allowed. There's a coffee bar in Darling (about 20mins. from us) who will now deliver frozen meals to Yzer on a Wednesday and they have stated that they have a permit to do so.

 

[Hooked]

AtFrits hotel allowed to offer dog exercise during lockdown
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/atfrits-hotel-allowed-to-offer-dog-exercise-during-lockdown
8 April 2020

Capetonians out there who have been struggling to keep their furry friends fit during the nationwide lockdown are in luck as local pet hotel AtFrits has been given the go-ahead to offer dog exercise during lockdown.

The City of Cape Town and the National Government have decided to allow the local establishment to provide a location for locals to let their dogs exercise. This will especially help locals who live in apartments with limited space.

“Due to customer demand and requests as well as the overall health of animals staying in small spaces, we were granted permission to take in dogs to help exercise them in our 2400 square meter playground,” wrote AtFrits in a Facebook post.

While AtFrits is happily accepting dogs to allow them to exercise, they are also asking the public to not leave their homes unnecessarily and to combine essential shopping trips with dropping off their pets to minimise travel.

Booking times are from 9am to 3pm daily and pet owners are encouraged to feed their dog before dropping them off.

What do you need to do to get access to atFrits?:

– Humans will not be allowed onto the premises to drop off their dog without a mask or a face cover.
– Owners must please disinfect their hands at the gate and the soles of their shoes in the F10 footbath.
– Owners must please spray themselves with the F10 SC at the front door.

Once all of the above steps are met, guests will be allowed to enter the hotel.

AtFrits is also asking that the public be aware of their staff during their visits.

“Please respect our staff as they are really in the front line for your dogs’ wellbeing. Please keep a safe distance, follow the hygiene steps and help us to keep both our staff and your dog safe,” wrote AtFrits in a Facebook post.

As times are particularly tough right now, the establishment is also offering a free exercise day for pet-owners.

“To spread the love, should you know of friends or family whose dogs are really struggling with confinement issues, please forward this message on to them and their 1st day will be on us,” said the establishment.

Visitors simply need to show the latest post offering the free day on Facebook to claim it at reception.

AtFrits Pet Hotel and Daycare Centre is located at 261 Bree St, Cape

 

[Hooked]

Robben Island resupplied with essential goods
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/robben-island-resupplied-with-essential-goods
9 April 2020

"While many Capetonians think of it just as a museum, Robben Island is home to a number of families. During lockdown, they have had no access to major shopping centres and have now been resupplied with the help of the NSRI.

“Our NSRI Table Bay sea rescue duty phone was called on Tuesday, April 7, with an appeal for assistance from the Robben Island residents who needed to arrange a resupply of food and essential goods that were running low,” said Marc de Vos, NSRI Table Bay station commander.

Around 13 local residents and their families are on the Island. As a result the Island’s Health and Safety Officer sent a call out to the NSRI, as the usual supply chain is not operational during the lockdown.

Locals arranged with family and friends on the mainland to shop and drop off orders at the NSRI Table Bay base.

“Taking all of the Covid-19 Department of Health precautions and following the health and safety standard protocols the sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom was prepared to be launched and the approximately 300 kilograms of food and essential goods were loaded onboard,” De Vos said.

On arrival at the Murray Bay harbour, the goods were offloaded and delivered without incident."

 

[Hooked]

6000 Tourists to be processed at Cape Town stadium before returning home
https://www.all4women.co.za/1993585...ed-at-cape-town-stadium-before-returning-home
9 April 2020

"News24 had an exclusive look at the Cape Town Stadium site where up to 6 000 foreign tourists are due to be processed before returning home safely.

The stadium hosted the 2010 Soccer World Cup, then rock concerts, then rugby matches – and even a world record tennis match between global superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But now the world-class facility has been urgently transformed into a facility to meticulously process thousands of foreign tourists.

This initiative is being led by the Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre in collaboration with multiple state agencies, including the national government, Port Health, City of Cape Town, Airports Company of South Africa, Wesgro and a host of foreign embassies and consulates.

The stadium’s CEO, Lesley de Reuck, said: “When we got the call from the provincial government, it wasn’t a tough decision to make.
This is a stressful time for the country, it’s a stressful time for individuals, and for the world. Can you imagine going through this kind of stress and you aren’t in your own country. So we wanted to play a very small role in a very big plan.

“The logistics are working very well at the moment.” The deputy director in the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, Faizel Williams, said: “It’s been a phenomenal team effort by everyone who has been involved. It just shows you what is possible when government departments collaborate. Over the next two weeks, we have an ongoing schedule of repatriation flights.”

The consul general of the German consulate in Cape Town, Matthias Hansen, told News24: “It’s going very smoothly. Yesterday [Tuesday], was our third repatriation flight from Cape Town – we had the first two on Friday and Saturday.

“Since the beginning of the crisis, we had roughly 4 000 German tourists in the consular district – which includes the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape. It is our objective to have all of those who want to be repatriated, repatriated,” Hansen said.

He added he had given all returning tourists a “farewell speech”.

“I have asked all tourists for a real understanding of the measures which the South African government is taking, to fight the virus – which I think are necessary and very important.

“Secondly, I ask them all if, at all possible, to come back to South Africa. Their time in South Africa may have been cut short and ended in a rather unusual manner, but there are lots of things to see. It’s a wonderful country, with warm-hearted people, and there’s every reason to come back,” Hansen said."

 

[Hooked]

Captonians sing National anthem to raise spirits
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/captonians-sing-national-anthem-to-raise-spirits
11 April 2020

"... In a video posted by Cape Town resident Shelly Finch, you can see the community of Sea Point come together and collectively sing the National Anthem from their homes.

Watch the heart warming video below.


After her video had gone viral, amassing over 26 thousand views on Facebook, Finch wrote in a update “Wow. I can’t believe how much love this has shared across the world! From my neighbourhood of Sea Point in Cape Town, South Africa to yours, wherever you are, we wish you good health, joy and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Please share some kindness wherever you can.”

Along with sharing this awe-inspiring video, Finch had also previously shared a video which showed her community coming out onto their balconies to give health care workers, the military, police service, security patrols, and essential service providers a round of applause as a sign of thanks and appreciation for all they’ve done during these trying times.

After seeing the amazing response fellow South Africans had to her video, Finch, along with a group of friends have set up a ‘BackaBuddy’ campaign which promises to feed a family during lockdown.

“We are crowdfunding to purchase Nurtiwell Nutritional Packs which comprise of 1kg Instant Porridge, 1kg Instant Shake, 1kg Thick Vegetable Soup and 1kg Soya Mince Stew.

This pack provides an estimated 120 adult meals and costs R251.00 per pack. This is enough to feed one adult for a month or two children.”

If you would like donate and help feed a family that needs it most, click here.

 

[Hooked]

An acquaintance went to Langebaan to collect her meds from Clicks (we don't have Clicks/Dischem here). Langebaan is 54km from Yzerfontein and apparently she went through 5 roadblocks. She had to show proof that she was going to collect meds and then coming back proof that she had collected meds.

 

[Hooked]

Pet hotel takes in homeless people’s dogs
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/pet-hotel-takes-in-homeless-peoples-dogs
14 April 2020

"As the province and the world battles the coronavirus outbreak, homeless people are being left with even less to keep themselves afloat.

For many spending their days on the streets, dogs are a source of happiness that they go out of their way to provide for. Amid the outbreak they have had to abandon their pets as they are not allowed at lockdown shelters.

Local pet hotel, AtFrits is making sure the treasured animals of Cape Town’s homeless are not alone.

“With the Cape Town Pet Upliftment Project (CTPUP), AtFrits will also care for the animals of the homeless that were a part of our joint initiative with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Identipet and de Waal Park. All these dogs are up to date with their vaccinations, are micro chipped and also sterilised, thanks to the support of you, the Cape Town Community. The homeless will receive shelter at the specific shelters and AtFrits will care for their four legged friends who will not be granted access to these shelters,” said Yanic Klue, owner of AtFrits Pet Hotel.

Since the lockdown, many residents have been concerned about the pets of homeless people and AtFrits has come to the rescue. Even before the lockdown their joint initiative with Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Identipet has been giving homeless animal-owners hope.

Pet-owners can now paw it forward by purchasing a voucher at AtFrits for a disadvantaged person on the last Saturday of every month. The voucher can be redeemed at the SPCA mobile unit in De Waal Park. This initiative aims to have all of the homeless dogs in Cape Town chipped, vaccinated and cared for.

During the lockdown, AtFrits will also act as a foster home for NGOs who are effected by the lockdown.

“We aren’t doing this for PR, we truly care about the animals and want to see that they are looked after,” says Klue..."

 

[Hooked]

Robotic helper cares for Tygerberg COVID-19 patients
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/robotic-helper-cares-for-tygerberg-covid-19-patients
15 April 2020

"The staff of Tygerberg Hospital, the Western Cape’s demarcated COVID-19 point-of-call medical facility, are receiving help from a robotic colleague. A new ‘infection-resistant’ assistant called Quintin has been employed to help complete ward rounds.

The robot is used by medical staff to perform virtual rounds to check on patients, even if the staff are not physically present themselves.

Speaking to IOL, Coenie Koegelenberg, who is a professor in pulmonology at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), assured ICU specialists that they are able to perform their ward rounds remotely with robots, as they cannot be infected by the coronavirus.

“Between the specialists, we will share the workload of Covid-19 patients who end up in ICU. The odds of at least one or all of us falling ill are quite high, so we need to realistically plan for what could happen,” Koegelenberg said. “If any of the specialists get the virus and is unable to physically go to work, we will be able to function remotely using the robot, from a phone or a laptop.”

“Using this device will enable us to provide a service if our skills sets are in short supply.”

According to the professor, the idea of using robots was borne from a combination of ideas from many contributors. “We started wondering how we could help more people if we ourselves were to fall ill,” he said.

“On Wednesday 18 March, on my way home after many meetings, I wondered whether ‘virtual’ ward rounds in many ICUs could be feasible. I phoned my wife and shared my thoughts. I had thought of using a fancy ‘nanny cam’ she bought a few years ago,” Koegelenberg said in reference to his wife, dermatologist Dr Suretha Kannaberg. “She suggested using the Sunskill laboratory’s Double Robotic ‘robot’ instead. (Sunskill is a state of the art clinical training facility at the FMHS.) I was not familiar with this device. The next day I met with Professor Ian Vlok from the FMHS’ Division of Neurosurgery and the Sunskill facilities manager, Bronwyn Stockenstrom, who gave me a ‘crash course’ on how to use the Double Robotic ‘robot’.”

The device was tested on Friday, April 10.

“It was truly an eye-opener and a potential game-changer in this and future similar pandemics. It was a remarkable success! We both concluded (with more than 30 years of combined experience in ICU) that our physical presence was not required, and that the technology has great potential to be rolled out,” he added.

Quintin will enable doctors to carry out ward round duties while being in self-quarantine themselves. It will also enable them to work from home, as it can be controlled with a desktop, tablet or smartphone.

Communication between the patient and doctor is enabled through the use of a zoom function and microphone, which can relay vital sign of patients who are highly infectious.

Such robots were first used in Italy, where the pandemic claimed many lives."

 

[Hooked]

Covid-19: Bid to trace customers who had contact with Table View retail store employees
https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news
16 April 2020

Cape Town – Health officials are going door-to-door to find customers who might have come into contact with grocery store employees who recently contracted Covid-19. Checkers store in Bayside Mall, Table View, shut its doors on Tuesday after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.

Last Tuesday, Shoprite Bothasig had to close, and on Sunday its Athlone store was also closed following a case at each store.

The Pick n Pay in Waterstone Village in Somerset West also remains temporarily closed.

The Shoprite Group said all those who had close contact with infected people were now self-quarantining for 14 days and the stores would be reopened in consultation with the provincial department of health.

“After one of our colleagues at Checkers Table View tested positive for Covid-19, we closed this store and will bring in a professional decontamination company to sanitise and deep clean.

“We have informed the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and department of health. An employee-screening programme supported by the company’s mobile clinic has immediately been put into place,” Shoprite said.

Provincial health spokesperson Mark van der Heever said before reopening the stores environmental health officers would inspect the facilities and ensure proper procedures are followed for decontamination of the stores to reduce the spread of infection.

“The department of health has established good links with the store chains and is working with them to ensure the continued health and safety of all residents in the province.

“Our contact tracing team has then been proactively engaging store managers and agreed on the best course of action.

“Our advice includes self-isolation for the staff members who have tested positive. There will be screening and testing of staff members who have been in close contact with the positive case, and screening and testing of household contacts as appropriate,” Van der Heever said.

He said customers were regarded as casual contacts, not close contacts.

“However, our teams do try and reach them. This is further assisted with our door-to-door campaigns currently happening in communities which targets everyone in a community to be screened and, if required, to be tested,” he said.

 

[Hooked]

Western Cape Flying Squad and 10111 call centre closed after positive testing
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/art...11-call-centre-closed-after-positive-testing/
15 April 2020

The Flying Squad and the 10111 call centre in the Western Cape are under quarantine after two of their members tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The quarantine of the Flying Squad and the 10111 call centre in the Western Cape means that no vehicles and members of the unit will be able to perform patrols. The union Solidarity confirmed on Tuesday 15 April that two of its members had tested positive and were currently in isolation.

“One of our members yesterday told me he showed flu systems on Sunday and went to a doctor. However, he came to work on Monday and Tuesday, manned radio control and went out on patrols with colleagues,” said Ronel Stander, provincial Solidarity organiser.

The officer’s test results were returned on Tuesday showing that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The entire unit went into a panic mode and several members went immediately for testing at Tygerberg Hospital,” said Stander.

The situation worsened, however, when a second member tested positive. The 10111 call centre was closed for decontamination. While this is taking place all calls will be diverted to different police stations in the province.

A circular sent out by SAPS management to station commanders indicated that all complaints will be captured in the occurrence book by the alternative station and police officers there would have to attend to the matter.

National police spokesperson Vish Naidoo failed to respond to Maverick Citizen questions regarding the Flying Squad. Four police officers have tested positive in the Western Cape. They are among the total of 12 SAPS members who have tested positive nationally.

The Athlone charge office was forced to close its doors over the weekend, after a warrant officer tested positive for the coronavirus.

Naidoo, confirming the case of the first police officer in the Western Cape who contracted the virus, said the station was closed with immediate effect.

Approximately 20 shift members were placed in self-isolation pending test results. The station has since reopened its doors.

The police services were dealt another blow when a Hermanus police member tested positive for the coronavirus. The police station was moved to the pavement while the complex was sanitised. None of the officers who came into contact with the infected SAPS member has shown any symptoms of the virus, but will remain in self-quarantine.

 

[Hooked]

Western Cape Flying Squad and 10111 call centre closed after positive testing
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/art...11-call-centre-closed-after-positive-testing/
15 April 2020

The Flying Squad and the 10111 call centre in the Western Cape are under quarantine after two of their members tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The quarantine of the Flying Squad and the 10111 call centre in the Western Cape means that no vehicles and members of the unit will be able to perform patrols. The union Solidarity confirmed on Tuesday 15 April that two of its members had tested positive and were currently in isolation.

“One of our members yesterday told me he showed flu systems on Sunday and went to a doctor. However, he came to work on Monday and Tuesday, manned radio control and went out on patrols with colleagues,” said Ronel Stander, provincial Solidarity organiser.

The officer’s test results were returned on Tuesday showing that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The entire unit went into a panic mode and several members went immediately for testing at Tygerberg Hospital,” said Stander.

The situation worsened, however, when a second member tested positive. The 10111 call centre was closed for decontamination. While this is taking place all calls will be diverted to different police stations in the province.

A circular sent out by SAPS management to station commanders indicated that all complaints will be captured in the occurrence book by the alternative station and police officers there would have to attend to the matter.

National police spokesperson Vish Naidoo failed to respond to Maverick Citizen questions regarding the Flying Squad. Four police officers have tested positive in the Western Cape. They are among the total of 12 SAPS members who have tested positive nationally.

The Athlone charge office was forced to close its doors over the weekend, after a warrant officer tested positive for the coronavirus.

Naidoo, confirming the case of the first police officer in the Western Cape who contracted the virus, said the station was closed with immediate effect.

Approximately 20 shift members were placed in self-isolation pending test results. The station has since reopened its doors.

The police services were dealt another blow when a Hermanus police member tested positive for the coronavirus. The police station was moved to the pavement while the complex was sanitised. None of the officers who came into contact with the infected SAPS member has shown any symptoms of the virus, but will remain in self-quarantine.

How stupid can you be?? He has flu symptoms but he goes to work and goes out on patrol with colleagues.

 

[Raindance]

How stupid can you be?? He has flu symptoms but he goes to work and goes out on patrol with colleagues.

Its not that simple @Hooked, being in the front lines one does not want to be the one dropping the ball, so to speak. Staying away because you “may” be infected becomes a very difficult decision to make under such circumstances.

Regards

 

[Hooked]

Its not that simple @Hooked, being in the front lines one does not want to be the one dropping the ball, so to speak. Staying away because you “may” be infected becomes a very difficult decision to make under such circumstances.

Regards

Under normal circumstances, yes. I'm sure we've all gone to work with flu and probably infected our colleagues, but whew, these are hardly normal circumstances. Rather safe than sorry.

 

[blujeenz]

My satirical 3rd reich post on Tuesday was largely due to the shenanigans going on in the UK with folks reporting imaginary offenders and police kicking down flat doors only to find a solitary occupant. I thought it was ironic that the UK practised a trait of the enemy in WW2.
https://www.ecigssa.co.za/in-light-of-the-lockdown.t65800/page-4#post-840640

Imagine the look on my face upon reading page2 of our local Tabletalk newspaper.Long story short, some twat phoned a SAPS general to complain about too many people at the Edgemead shopping center, the result was roadblocks and questions.
Yet more delays on top of having to stand in a 100m queue with 20 people for 30min.

 

[Hooked]

Hout Bay Residents
If your children need help with English, see here.

 

[Hooked]

Penguins waddle around empty Simon’s Town streets
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/penguins-waddle-around-empty-simons-town-streets
19 April 2020

"The African penguin colony on Boulders Beach draws thousands of visitors from all around the world each year. With lockdown well underway, there are no visitors to marvel over these marvellous water birds. With a new sense of freedom, the penguins have taken to the Simon’s Town streets to explore.

While penguins waddling around Simon’s Town is no rarity, a recent video shared by SANCCOB shows the water birds safely going for a leisurely walk through the empty streets. With few cars on the road, the penguins are free to roam around town, under the watchful eye of SANCCOB’s Penguin Rangers of course."


https://www.facebook.com/58779937-3e6e-4376-9c06-21be5fd31b2a

 

[Hooked]

Cape man grows vegetables on his pavement for those in need
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/cape-man-grows-vegetables-on-his-pavement-for-those-in-need
20 April 2020



"After a retired policeman’s cauliflower was stolen from his garden he realised how desperately people needed food during the nationwide lockdown. Instead of being upset over his stolen yield, he decided to plant more so that those in need could take freely.

Johan Scott from Heidelberg, Western Cape now has a thriving and overflowing garden growing on the pavement outside of his house. Hungry people in his neighbourhood are being encouraged to take what they need whenever they need it.

Scott says his heart becomes happy when he sees someone eating the vegetables he planted just for them. His garden is filled with nutritious vegetables including eggplants, tomatoes and beetroot.

Scott’s act of kindness has not only warmed the stomachs of those in need but touched the hearts of his community and beyond. People from across the country have been sharing his story and feeling inspired to do their part.

He hopes his garden will bring change for the better and encourage others to do something good for one another during these trying times.

We hope he reaps the kindness he has sown, tenfold."

 

[Hooked]

Cape church robbed amid lockdown
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-church-robbed-amid-lockdown/
20 April 2020

"St. Mary’s Cathedral in Cape Town CBD was left in shambles after criminals ransacked the establishment on Friday, April 17.

Valuable worship equipment worth R100 000 was stolen and the inside of the church was left in disarray with papers and furniture strewn around the building. The criminals responsible have not yet been caught.

“According to reports, the church was closed as per Covid-19 regulations. The complainant received a call from the caretaker that a side window was broken and the church had been broken into, and reported the case to Cape Town Central Police on Sunday,” police spokesperson FC van Wyk told IOL.

A list of all the stolen property has not yet been received.


Published by Aimee Pace on April 20, 2020
543 24
St. Mary’s Cathedral in Cape Town CBD was left in shambles after criminals ransacked the establishment on Friday, April 17.

Valuable worship equipment worth R100 000 was stolen and the inside of the church was left in disarray with papers and furniture strewn around the building. The criminals responsible have not yet been caught.

“According to reports, the church was closed as per Covid-19 regulations. The complainant received a call from the caretaker that a side window was broken and the church had been broken into, and reported the case to Cape Town Central Police on Sunday,” police spokesperson FC van Wyk told IOL.

A list of all the stolen property has not yet been received.

Speaking to IOL, Father Rohan Smuts said the church was desecrated and that the criminals had even broken the tabernacle door and stolen the ciborium and chalice used in worship."

 

[Hooked]

https://www.facebook.com/pg/RealLiveSA/posts/?ref=page_internal

 

[Hooked]

Can one refuse to be tested for Corona virus? I had never considered this question, until I read this.

https://www.facebook.com/SwartlandMunicipality/




"We received confirmation over the weekend that there are indeed four COVID-19 cases in the Swartland currently. What is of great concern to us, is that the two latest cases - a mother and her minor daughter - live in an informal settlement in Malmesbury, where residents usually live very close to one another.

Her partner has up to now refused to be tested. It was observed that he freely goes about, and video material was obtained from a local chain store where he did shopping. Although he apparently does not show any symptoms, we are trying, with the intervention of a representative of the community, to get him tested as he can possibly be a carrier of the virus.

We are grateful to the management of the chain store that acted immediately and firmly to close their doors temporarily in order to sanitise the shop. The security guard and cashier with whom he was in contact were already placed in isolation and will be monitored properly. Let us think of the nerve-racking time for all the people concerned and pray for their health and safety."

 

[Hooked]

South Africa’s legendary baboon soldier
https://www.capetownetc.com/entertainment/south-africas-legendary-baboon-soldier
5 March 2020

"It seems Just Nuisance is not the only admirable animal to make the list of South Africa’s honourable service register. Unusually a baboon by the name of Jackie worked as a signal conductor for most of his life and lived in much the same way as every other soldier in the 3rd African Infantry Regiment during World War I.

Jackie’s story first began when Albert Marr found him wandering around his farm in Valeria, Pretoria and decided to raise the orphaned baboon as part of his family. As time went on the two became inseparable and neither was ever without the other.

For several years, Jackie called Marr’s farm home and grew to be a well-mannered young baboon before Marr was enlisted in the army in 1915 and couldn’t stand to leave Jackie behind. After some pleading on Marr’s part, the dignified baboon was allowed to join the army at Marr’s side.

After his enlisting, Jackie was treated as a full-fledged soldier and given his own uniform, regimental badges, a spiffy cap, pay book, and even his own food rations.

According to reports the baboon was nothing short of a gentleman, saluting fellow officers as they passed by and lighting their cigarettes after a long day.

Jackie particularly excelled in standing guard or controlling the entry and exit points of certain areas as his sense of smell and hearing were far beyond that of his fellow soldiers. He also let his fellow soldiers know when enemies were approaching.

After years of dedicated service to the army, Jackie became the official mascot of the 3rd Transvaal Regiment and went everywhere with his fellow soldiers.

Later in his service, he experienced a number of brushes with death, even being wounded by enemy fire in a trench in France. During the 1st South African Brigades deployment in Egypt, Jackie was praised for his quick thinking when a grenade was thrown at Murr’s side, he responded immediately and threw the grenade back. Once when Murr was shot, Jackie applied pressure to his wound and stayed with him until the stretcher came to fetch him. Jackie even licked the wound which doctors say saved Marr’s wound from becoming septic.

While building a wall of stones to protect himself and his fellow soldiers during an explosive trench shootout, Jackie was hit in the right leg with a piece of shrapnel, ending his military service.

Jackie’s leg was unfortunately severely damaged by the incident and had to be amputated by the regiment’s doctors who were unsure whether Jackie would survive the surgery at all due to the unknown effects of chloroform on baboons. He proved himself a force to be reckoned with, recovering just a few days later.

The honourable primate was a Pretoria Citizen’s service medal for his bravery and was promoted from private to corporal, heading back home to the Marr farm with a military pension and his discharge papers in hand.

Jackie returned to a simpler life trading his years of service for a life of leisure at home and in 1921 he passed away after a thunderstorm caused him to have a heart attack. Jackie will always be remembered as a true friend and the only baboon to serve in World War 1 and achieve the rank of Private in the South African Infantry.

Sources & Pictures:

South African Military History Journal

AllThatsInteresting.com

 

[Hooked]

City under fire for draft by-laws which up police power
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/city-under-fire-for-draft-by-laws-which-up-police-power
23 April 2020

"Yesterday [April 21], the City of Cape Town called for public comment on proposed amendments to it’s Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Noise Nuisances By-law. Since then, they have come under fire for some of their suggested amendments.

“The by-law relates to the management of streets and public places, noise nuisances and other incidental matters on all properties within Cape Town,” said the City in a Facebook post. “The proposed amendments relate specifically to section 22 of the by-law, guiding the City’s actions on transgressions and the recovery of costs where applicable.”


Essentially, the amendment provides increased power to officials such as police officers in terms of conducting searches with no warrants. Authorised officials can stop, get in to, and inspect any vehicle, person, or premises when they expect an offence.

Additionally, police are given increased ability to disperse crowds in public spaces. An authorised official can, according to the by-law, instruct people who contravene the by-law to remove themselves from, and remain out of, an area.

On the Facebook post alone, residents have shown their displeasure with the amendments. “Let me get this straight: You want to give one of South Africa’s most corrupt departments (the police force) the ability to search and seize any private property on the basis of “reasonable grounds”? By who’s judgement? A corrupt police official? Has the City gone mad? No, I’m sorry, there are court rooms for this sort of thing, let’s not make bad policemen worse policemen,” said one Facebook user.

Other Facebook users commented that this would be an infringement of human rights, against the rule of law. Many say the move is unconstitutional.

Moreover, some say this is a terrible time to make amendments. With a national lockdown and a pandemic on everybody’s minds, they claim it is an attempt to pass the amendments with little opposition.

Capetonians are encouraged to have their say, before May 17. You can find the full document here.

 

[Hooked]

More Cape supermarkets close as workers contract virus
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/more-cape-supermarkets-close-as-workers-contract-virus
23 April 2020

"Three Western Cape supermarkets have had to temporarily close their doors for deep cleaning after staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Two of these stores are located in the Zevenwacht area near Kuilsriver. The third store is located in Somerset West.

“After one of our colleagues at Checkers Zevenwacht tested positive for Covid-19, we closed this store and brought in a professional decontamination company to sanitise and deep clean the store,” the Shoprite group said in a statement.

“We have informed the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Department of Health. An employee screening programme, supported by the company’s mobile clinic, was immediately put into place. Those employees who had close contact with the infected person are now self-quarantining for 14 days.”

The statement stipulates that the store will reopen after consultation with the provincial Department of Health.

A staff member from the Superstar in Zevenwacht also tested positive.

“After testing all our staff, some of the test results have started to come back,” Superstar said in a statement via its Facebook page. “We have now received further positive tests and our store will be closed for decontamination for the remainder of Wednesday. All staff on shift will now self-isolate. Our store will re-open with our reserve shift on Thursday at 8am.”

The Lion’s Square Kwikspar has also temporarily closed after a staff member tested positive for the virus. “Our staff are very important to us. Please know that we are supporting this staff member and will also be debriefing and supporting our management team and staff going forward,” it said on its Facebook page."