COVID-19: Dlamini-Zuma reacts to claims SA will have ‘one million deaths’

We are in the eye of a terrifying storm: Almost 9 000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday evening, and the death toll jumped to 3 602. As infections continue to surge, a ‘grave’ reality has set in – and we’re at a point where Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and her government have been accused of giving up.

Mass graves in Gauteng spark panic

Earlier this morning, the COGTA minister made a rare statement through her Twitter account. Rumours have been rife that the South African government is preparing for over one million deaths linked to COVID-19 in the near future, as mass burial sites are being prepared outside of Pretoria. However, NDZ has dismissed this:

“The government’s response to COVID-19 is informed by the imperative to prevent infections and save lives. We are NOT, therefore, expecting and preparing for one million COVID-19 related deaths in the country. Stay Safe.”

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

COVID-19: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma accused of lying about ‘one million deaths’ forecast

The local government has been criticised for fear-mongering. Coronavirus has claimed just 550 000 lives worldwide, yet a province in South Africa is preparing graves for almost double that amount of people. Meanwhile, EFF agitator Mbuyiseni Ndlozi aired his grievances with Dlamini-Zuma online, calling her ‘a liar’ in the process:

“Don’t mislead us, Minister Dlamini-Zuma: It was ALWAYS the government’s plan to prepare for burial. What we did not know it that you are preparing over for over one million deaths. waiting for more of us to die. This shows all of you have given up the fight against COVID-19.”

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi

Dlamini-Zuma, government planned for ‘mass burials’

Members of the public have also been questioning Dlamini-Zuma’s flippant dismissal of their concerns, which directly contradict the preparations being made by the Gauteng Government. A screenshot from Professor Karim’s televised consultation with Zweli Mkhize shows that mass burials have been on the radar for some time:

Expanding burial capacity has always been an intentional part of the plan communicated by the Minister of Health. This wasat the very first television briefing from Prof Karim and Min. @DrZweliMkhize on the COVID19 strategy. pic.twitter.com/jhq7CDLKGK

— Tessa Dooms (@tessie18) July 9, 2020

Interestingly enough, this latest fiasco breathes life into claims that the South African government had sought to acquire one million body bags at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. This was widely dismissed, and the journalist who broke the story was hammered by the critics. But the ongoing preparation for mass graves shows that preparations for the worst-case scenario are very much underway.

Government's response to COVID-19 is informed by the imperative to prevent infections and SAVE lives. We are NOT therefore expecting and preparing for 1 million COVID-19 related deaths in the country.#StaySafe

— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) July 9, 2020