Dlamini-Zuma addressed the media on Tuesday, after President Ramaphosa confirmed the State of Disaster would officially end at 00:01. The lockdown regulations have been dropped for the first time in 25 months, but for the next 30 days, precautions like indoor mask-wearing and targeted social distancing remain in place.
For many, this was a moment to savour. But NDZ might have already rained on the parade. The senior ANC representative told the media that the Disaster Management Act ‘may come back’ if the pandemic was to escalate. That means the State of Disaster – and any accompanying lockdown laws – could one day return to action.
“The remaining restrictions only continue for the next 30 days. However, if the pandemic were to escalate again, and reach a level where it’s classed as a disaster, the Disaster Management Act can still be utilised.”
“If we wear masks, wash our hands, and do what needs to be done, we’ll avoid a situation where the pandemic becomes a disaster again. But, in that event, we would have to bring back a State of Disaster.”
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
#StateofDisaster Dlamini- Zuma says new legislation will take effect after 30 days, however, if the pandemic becomes a disaster again the Disaster Management Act can still be utilised.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) April 5, 2022
NDZ says South Africans ‘must take responsibility’
The stern words from Dlamini-Zuma won’t sit well with lockdown-sceptics, and those who are all too aware of what damage long-lasting restrictions can do to society. However, the minister is clear that people must now take personal responsibility, if a return to certain measures is to be prevented.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn“A disaster is defined very clearly by the act itself: It’s a sudden or progressive spread of disease, causing injury or death. The only difference now is that people must take responsibility for themselves. If people don’t wear masks and follow health protocols, that’s when we can end up going back into a disaster again.”
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma