President Cyril Ramaphosa, Dlamini-Zuma must explain reasons for extended level 1 Covid-19 lockdown

The extension of the National State of Disaster two years on has left many despondent and disappointed, with opposition parties calling for answers from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to justify another extension.

It has been 24 months since the National State of Disaster was first declared in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, with an extension for another month approved. South Africa’s State of Disaster was set to expire yesterday, however, under Section 3 of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) it can be extended by the Minister by notice in the gazette for one month at a time before it lapses.

Minister Dlamini-Zuma on Tuesday announced another extension of the state of disaster which is now set to expire on April 15.

She said in the Government Gazette that the extension takes into account “the need to continue augmenting existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of the state to address the impact of the disaster”. The country remains in lockdown alert level 1, however, due to the low infection rates there have been reports that there could be further relaxed restrictions which may include the scrapping of outdoor mask-wearing.

Health minister Joe Phaahla said earlier this month, the Department of Health proposed an easing of a number of Covid-19 restrictions to the National Coronavirus Command Council which would include reviewing regulations in travel, leisure and tourism.

Phaahla said that while there were different views on the matter, the “undisputed fact” was that the higher the number of vaccinated people, the more the economy could be opened and more social, sporting and recreational activities could take place.

Source: eNCA

In other news – Mzansi’s Greatest Family involved in a fatal car crash

MZANSI’S Greatest Family, the Nkoanes, are grateful to God for saving Tebogo “Mommy” and Kgosi Nkoane who were involved in a car accident.

Tebogo, the matriarch of the Nkoane family, and Kgosi (15), the middle child, were involved in the accident on Monday, 14 March. Learn more