Lawyers for Black People will be filing papers in the Pretoria High Court on Thursday to challenge some of Level 3 lockdown regulations.
The group, led by Zuko Madikane, argues that the President has overstepped his powers by prohibiting gatherings. They also want police to be prohibited from entering private properties on New Year’s Eve.
The group had initially written a letter of grievance to President Cyril Ramaphosa but he did not reply by the deadline they had set.
Madikane says, “Announcement that no indoor or outdoor gathering permitted under Level 3 be declared as overstepping his powers. The Minister of Cogta is to be ordered to give clarity on indoor and family gatherings under Level 3 regulations. Allowing and permitting gatherings such as cinema, gym, hotels, etc… and prohibiting household gathering be declared as discriminatory.”
Earlier this week, Ramaphosa announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions following a surge in new infections during the festive season. This after the country had surpassed the 1 million cumulative infections mark.
The president moved the country from Alert Level 1, which had the most relaxed regulations, to an adjusted Alert Level 3 with moderate restrictions.
Below is an extract from the President’s address:
