‘One year of restrictions’ – State of Disaster laws extended again

Well, this is sobering. Although the decision to extend the State of Disaster was expected across the board, there’s still something rather chilling about the fact our lockdown restrictions are coming up for their first anniversary. However, this is an occasion none of us will feel like celebrating.

State of Disaster extended – but when will it expire?

Cabinet confirmed on Thursday that the State of Disaster regulations, set to expire on Monday 15 February, will roll over by at least another month. They will now run until Monday 15 March, but it is overwhelmingly likely that they will be extended even further. Indeed, lockdown restrictions are sure to be with us – in some shape or form – throughout 2021.

Today, President Ramaphosa’s Cabinet approved the extension of the National State of Disaster to 15 March 2021, in terms of Section 27(5) (c) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (57 of 2002).

— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) February 10, 2021

SONA 2021 to address challenges of lockdown restrictions

Since the end of March 2020, a State of Disaster has been in place for Mzansi. It started with a three-month implementation, and has been rolled over each month since then. However, some critics of the government are upset that the ANC gets to dictate lockdown laws without the proposals being properly scrutinised in the National Assembly first.

The DA had launched a legal bid to force the government into consulting Parliament before extending these restrictions. However, it has been unable to prevent this latest renewal. Phumla Williams, a GCIS spokesperson, issued a statement on behalf of the Presidency on Wednesday, addressing the challenges posed by the State of Disaster.

“SONA 2021 must be used as a rallying point to turn around our economy, end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and tackle the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. We all have to stand together to overcome the impact of the State of Disaster.”

“We must improve the lives of South Africans and grow our economy. Cabinet encourages all sectors of society to work together to ensure a new social compact that will set us on a path to make SA a better place for all.” 

Presidency statement