There has been a mixed reaction from some political parties to the decision that South Africa will be moving to lockdown alert Level 3 on June 1. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday night announced that the entire country would be moving to level 3 which would see more industries opening up and many people return to work.
As of May 24, the country had recorded 22 583 confirmed infected cases and 429 deaths.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which has mostly remained silent during the lockdown, had the most to say. Spokesperson Delisile Ngwenya said they reject the decision and that it must be read as a “resignation speech from fighting COVID-19 and saving lives, particularly black lives.”
In the video – most political parties cautiously welcome lockdown level 3
“Above all, no amount of washing hands, sanitising and social distancing could ever work in overcrowded and dilapidated public facilities like in transport, workplaces and schools. It must be put on record that today African National Congress (ANC) led government has abdicated its responsibility to guarantee the right to life, especially of Black people.”
Another criticism came from African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe on church gathering restrictions.
“While churches are closed now the infections are increasing and the Health MEC in Western Cape said most of these infections are happening at shopping malls and nobody is warned about going to shopping malls, but they are putting measures to minimize the infections which should also be done to churches and schools. So as churches, we are looking at what measures and requirements are going to be placed in schools. Because if people are infected in shopping malls, in churches and also in hospitals they will also be infected in schools. People must not create the perception that it is only in the church where that is happening.”
ACDP leader reacts to Ramaphosa’s speech:
The sentiment was also shared by the African Christian Movement’ Sbu Mncwabe who also called for prioritising South Africans in opening the economy.
“Because we believe that if we open up the economy just to enrich the big industries and the foreigners that will defeat the purpose. We must have a clear plan as to how our people will now start benefitting from the economy. We must put our people first as we open up the economy. Secondly, we do not understand why alcohol is so important more than faith-based religious sectors.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) interim leader John Steenhuisen said that while they welcomed the decision, it’s too little too late.
“Even at alert level 3 irrational regulations and exclusions remain. There are no reasons for businesses such as hair salons to remain shut if they can operate under the same health protocol as other businesses. There’s also no reason at all for cigarettes to remain banned, as most smokers have not given up smoking and are simply buying illicit cigarettes elsewhere. We call now on the President to provide us with scientific justification for the continuation of this ban which costing our country millions of rands in missed tax revenue.”
In the video below, DA react to Ramaphosa’s speech
The Freedom Front Plus leader Peter Groenewald says they are continuing with their court challenge to hold government accountable.
“We say that we are continuing with our court case to have this approach fully to its potential, to put the Health protocol there, as well as the fact that there’s total lack of parliamentary oversight on the whole process of this disaster. And there’s been no accountability from the specific minister, in this case from COGTA, from parliament and the people of this country.”
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa said they support the move.
“However let us hope that the relevant ministries will produce regulations which are in line with the President’s outlined plan and I hope these Hotspot will be attended quickly and that the people in those areas will adhere to the regulations. So that by the end of June, at least, we should be talking about coming back to complete normality.”
In the video below, most political parties react to the President’s speech
The governing ANC called on South Africans to support the government’s efforts to fight the pandemic. The party’ Spokesperson Pule Mabe said, “We must cooperate with the government. It is going to be the behavior and conduct of our people who are going to make sure that our own efforts. The efforts that are being undertaken by government to fight and defeat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic are successful – that is going to depend on what the people themselves are doing on the ground.”
