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The cynics were right: SA’s leaders appear unable to voluntarily end the state of disaster. Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise to withdraw the regulations last month and calls by medical experts for it to be done, co-operative governance & traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma extended the ruling to April 15.
This means that two years of rule by often arbitrary and irrational decree will continue.
Sports stadiums remain closed to fans, curfews may be instituted overnight and alcohol sales banned again. It also suggests the state is woefully behind on implementing public health measures outside the state of disaster framework, if combating Covid is the aim of this extension.
As Western Cape premier Alan Winde pointed out this week, despite having had months to prepare alternative public health measures, the national government has not yet finished the job.
More disturbing, however, is the sense that it is loath to relinquish the sweeping powers granted it by the state of disaster.
For a state as incapable as ours, the sooner this is done, the better.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
EDITORIAL: Truly a state in disaster
The cynics were right: SA’s leaders appear unable to voluntarily end the state of disaster. Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise to withdraw the regulations last month and calls by medical experts for it to be done, co-operative governance & traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma extended the ruling to April 15.
This means that two years of rule by often arbitrary and irrational decree will continue.
Sports stadiums remain closed to fans, curfews may be instituted overnight and alcohol sales banned again. It also suggests the state is woefully behind on implementing public health measures outside the state of disaster framework, if combating Covid is the aim of this extension.
As Western Cape premier Alan Winde pointed out this week, despite having had months to prepare alternative public health measures, the national government has not yet finished the job.
More disturbing, however, is the sense that it is loath to relinquish the sweeping powers granted it by the state of disaster.
For a state as incapable as ours, the sooner this is done, the better.
Why the state of disaster may go on after mid-April
Health department to suggest that new regulations replace state of disaster
SA’s response to Covid must be independently assessed, says Shabir Madhi
SHABIR A MADHI: Why it is time for the national coronavirus command council to go
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Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.