Masuku moves to clarify comments about 1.5 million graves
The Gauteng Department of Health has moved to clarify reports that it is digging more than 1.5 million graves as it prepares for the worst-case scenario.
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku was quoted on Wednesday as saying mass gravesites are being prepared in the province amid the expected surge in the number of Covid-19 deaths.
On Wednesday evening, Gauteng accounted for more than a third of the confirmed cases nationwide, with a total of 75 015 infections and 478 deaths.
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Gauteng Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana says the figure of 1.5 million which the MEC referred to, is the number of graves the province has access to should the need arise.
"The over million graves reflect the collective capacity municipalities in Gauteng can take. MEC Masuku visited one of the sites in Tshwane on Wednesday, which has a capacity of 24 000."
To date, the death toll in South Africa stands at 3 602.