President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months, one of which will be unpaid, for breaking the rules of the government's lockdown.

The DA made the request to ensure continued oversight of the executive and the "protection of civil liberties" during the COVID-19 lockdown, but Parliament said this would not be necessary and practical.

South Africa currently has 1,505 confirmed cases with over 300 of them in the Western Cape alone.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola was the first to clarify a regulatory error that basically stated people travelling between towns can book into hotels and B&B’s during the lockdown.

There's been confusion around some of the rules, with government backtracking and doing about turns on certain regulations.

Committee chairperson Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo expressed concern over the reported shortage and called on government to do something urgently.

Small Business Development Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said her department would introduce a dedicated spaza support scheme to assist those businesses in the sector to weather the storm during the government’s strict lockdown regulations.

DA interim leader John Steenhuisen asked Parliamentary Speaker Thandi Modise to ensure continuous oversight of the national executive and organs of state during the state of disaster.

President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed the cost of the 21-day deployment of soldiers in a letter to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise.

The Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said that in moments of crisis, journalism that informed and empowered was an important national asset and necessity.

Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams made the announcement on Wednesday when briefing the media about her department’s plans during the 21-day lockdown.

The minister said it could become too costly for mining companies to completely shut down operations during the national lockdown.

Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu said that high-level officials like directors-general and HODs would be hard at work during the lockdown.

From Friday morning, the country will go into a 21-day lockdown as government tries to curb the spread of COVD-19, which has killed almost 20,000 people around the world.

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza appealed to the public to not panic as the country has sufficient food supplies.

The process had to be halted after Parliament postponed all its business as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Gwede Mantashe called the meeting with mining houses in response to the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that where people gather, they should not exceed 100.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille made the announcement on Thursday.