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"South Africa crime plummets during lockdown
Crime in South Africa dropped by up to 40% during the first three months of its lockdown, official figures show.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said most types of crimes went down between April and June - including sexual assault and arson.
The figures "paint a never-seen-before rosy picture" of a peaceful South Africa experiencing a "crime holiday", he said.
He added that a controversial alcohol ban during the coronavirus lockdown had helped, but that attacks on liquor stores had increased in the pandemic.
South Africa has among the world's highest crime rates. It has also recorded over half the Covid-19 cases in Africa - but observers say this may be because it has better testing than other countries.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-53790147
Crime in South Africa dropped by up to 40% during the first three months of its lockdown, official figures show.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said most types of crimes went down between April and June - including sexual assault and arson.
The figures "paint a never-seen-before rosy picture" of a peaceful South Africa experiencing a "crime holiday", he said.
He added that a controversial alcohol ban during the coronavirus lockdown had helped, but that attacks on liquor stores had increased in the pandemic.
South Africa has among the world's highest crime rates. It has also recorded over half the Covid-19 cases in Africa - but observers say this may be because it has better testing than other countries.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-53790147
"Could poverty explain Africa's low infection rate?Is there a link between poverty, crowded accommodation, and Africa's bafflingly low infection and death rates from the pandemic? This is the question posed by our Africa correspondent Andrew Harding.
Health experts have been braced for a major outbreak of Covid-19 across Africa ever since the virus was first identified earlier this year. But so far it has not happened.
Theories about why this is have ranged from the fact that Africa has a warmer climate to its much larger proportion of younger people, who are less likely to be affected badly by the coronavirus.
But some South African scientists now wonder whether Africa's overcrowded neighbourhoods, where colds and flus have long spread easily, have actually enabled its residents to build up a larger degree of immunity to Covid-19.
You can read more here.
Health experts have been braced for a major outbreak of Covid-19 across Africa ever since the virus was first identified earlier this year. But so far it has not happened.
Theories about why this is have ranged from the fact that Africa has a warmer climate to its much larger proportion of younger people, who are less likely to be affected badly by the coronavirus.
But some South African scientists now wonder whether Africa's overcrowded neighbourhoods, where colds and flus have long spread easily, have actually enabled its residents to build up a larger degree of immunity to Covid-19.
You can read more here.
""Age is not such a big factor," said Professor Karim.
Early, and aggressive lockdowns here in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent have clearly played a crucial role. Clear messaging about masks and the provision of oxygen supplies have also been important.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53998374
Early, and aggressive lockdowns here in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent have clearly played a crucial role. Clear messaging about masks and the provision of oxygen supplies have also been important.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53998374
