On the evening of March 23 2020, a few months after the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, the government announced a “state of national disaster”, locking down the country for a period of 21 days to suppress the spread of a virus that would soon go airborne and global.

What started off as a 21-day lockdown, including a dusk-to-dawn curfew, would last about two years of various versions of lockdowns. Within weeks soldiers were deployed to enforce the lockdowns, and had killed a man who was drinking at his home in Alexandra township...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.