SA Level 3 lockdown – here’s how opposition parties reacted

While health experts have lauded President Cyril Ramaphosa to place the country under Level 3 of the lockdown, there has been a mixed bag of reactions from opposition parties over the move.

Giving his umpteenth address on Monday evening, 28 December 2020, Ramaphosa announced a series of lockdown restrictions, which include a ban on gatherings and alcohol sales – all amid a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

DA: COVID-19 vaccine only alternative to lockdown

Expectedly, the Democratic Alliance (DA) was unimpressed with the decision and implored Ramaphosa to prove he is serious about fighting COVID-19 by prioritising the vaccine. The country has already forked out R327 million towards the World Health Organisation’s COVAX facility and the president did say South Africa would be one of the first to receive the ground-breaking treatment.

“If the President is as serious as he wanted to come across this evening about this response to the second wave, then a good place would be for his government to lead by example. Cancel the SAA bailout and put that money towards expediting vaccine procurement and rollout and bolstering financial relief to affected industries,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.

Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa would be showing a commitment to saving lives and livelihoods by ensuring the acquisition of a COVID-19 vaccine.

‘Government must strictly enforce the lockdown rules,’ says EFF

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are however a little more enthusiastic about the latest measures as a way to curb the spread of the virus – but has still lashed out at government over its ability to enforce the lockdown regulations.

“We particularly the prohibition of gatherings and total ban on the sale of alcohol by retail outlets and for onsite consumption. The reality is that  the distribution and sale of alcohol principally contributes to the defiance of measures aimed at combating the rapid spread of the virus,” the party’s Vuyani Pambo said.

The party has called on Ramaphosa and his government to bring the hammer down, when coming to violations of lockdown laws.

“We call on government to strictly enforce its own regulations and restrictions because a regulation or law without enforcement is equal to not having the law or regulation,” Pambo added.

The Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) Narend Singh said while the tighter lockdown measures were not expected, they are necessary, in light of the recent spike of COVID-19 infections.