COPE slams DA’s call to ‘place economy above the lives of people’

The Congress of the People (COPE) says it is is irresponsible of the Democratic Alliance (DA) to place the economy before the lives of the people.

This comes as party Interim Leader John Steenhuisen said the nationwide lockdown is doing more harm to South Africa than coronavirus itself.

There is no bravery or compassion to be found in this lockdown.

True bravery and compassion is in the mothers and fathers, the grandmothers and grandfathers, who risk arrest or death to break this lockdown, so that they can feed their families. ??https://t.co/vuh3T7RCtx

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 8, 2020

The DA wants more economic activity to be opened and the easing of the lockdown regulations.

The infographic below depicts life under Level 4:

COPE Spokesperson, Dennis Bloem says his party supports the various stages of the lockdown.

“We are not supporting any call for the suspension or the upliftment of the lockdown. It will be irresponsible. We want to reiterate that we support the gradual easing down as advised by medical experts and scientists. We are very  disturbed by the call of the DA for the president to suspend the lockdown. We believe it is irresponsible and opportunistic from them. They don’t have respect for the lives of the people and putting the economy above the lives of people. We are saying there must be a balance between saving lives and the economy.”

The ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) have also thrown their weight behind government’s decision for a continued lockdown.

They say while they understand the economic devastation COVID-19 poses, the lives and health of South Africans should be the top priority.