The publication of the proposed new Covid-19 state-of-disaster regulations along with an invitation for the public to comment on them by Friday the 1st of April is, firstly, making a mockery of public participation and, secondly, creating confusion about the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The recent announcement by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, gives the public just three days to submit comments on a matter of great significance, which has already caused so much disruption. It is ridiculous and sounds very much like an April Fools' joke.
These recently proposed regulations contradict the government's expressed intention to lift the state of disaster. It is not in line with Minister Dlamini Zuma's earlier undertakings either. At the moment, the Department of Health is also busy with a public participation process for determining new regulations and its deadline is the 15th of April.
Such contradictions in government policy create uncertainty and distrust in the government's motives.
Why the hurry with a deadline of just three days after the proposed regulations are published?
Why is the publication of such regulations needed at all if the government has already announced on several occasions that the state of disaster will be lifted?
It is important that the Minister realises that all regulations are suspended once the state of disaster is terminated.
The Disaster Management Act makes this abundantly clear in Section five.
It seems that certain elements in government are trying to bypass the relevant legislation by issuing new regulations in order to allow the government to retain undue power.
It would amount to gross abuse of power and dishonesty towards the South African population.
The FF Plus will continue to put pressure on the government to completely lift the state of disaster and suspend all measures that have a negative influence on economic growth and the people's constitutional rights.
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