Home ‘A lot of lockdown laws are irrational’, says ANC’s Trevor Manuel

‘A lot of lockdown laws are irrational’, says ANC’s Trevor Manuel

Trevor Manuel has spent the best part of the last 25 years working for the government in some shape or form. Whether as a minister of an official in the presidency, he’s become one of the most recognisable names within the ANC. So when he starts criticising the lockdown laws, it has the potential to turn many heads.

National Command Council criticised

Manuel, who is currently part of an international task force to ensure South Africa gets the funds it needs to survive the global health crisis, went public with his views on Monday. He may be a good friend of President Ramaphosa, but Cyril won’t be thanking his ‘running mate’ for having a pop at the National Command Council.

The NCC is made up of several Cabinet members who have been given a mandate to draft and enforce the laws of lockdown. Although their proposals must be approved by Ramaphosa’s inner circle, the group – led by COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – have been under intense scrutiny recently.

Trevor Manuel tells some ‘home truths’ about lockdown

Things like the cigarette ban controversy, the extended booze ban and tough restrictions on trade have all been pinned on the NCC. Despite this bad blood, Ramaphosa has defended the collective – and NDZ in particular. However, Trevor Manuel isn’t in the mood to save face, and told SAfm Sunrise:

“We must ensure the economic rules are rational. I think a lot of the decisions that have been taken don’t pass the test of rationality. What you can and can’t buy and so on doesn’t work. Also, the idea that you can exercise only in a three-hour period? I don’t agree… “

“None of these pass the test of rationality. We need voices to speak to the National Command Centre and the ministers involved so that we can ask them that rationality should be made the order of the day.”

Trevor Manuel


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