NFP says extension of the National State of Disaster is suicidal

DURBAN - THE National Freedom Party says the extension of the National State of Disaster is an indication of the country’s disastrous leadership.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announced that it had been extended by a month, until April 12.

NFP’s Canaan Mdletshe said under the state of disaster, the country’s economy has ground to a halt.

“Millions of people lost their little income, and thousands are still suffering as a result of placing our country in lockdown. Twenty-four months later, our disastrous government saw it fit to extend the national state of Disaster, placing thousands of people to a complete and unnecessary lockdown,” he said.

Mdletshe said the past two years have been difficult for the residents, who could not lead their lives normally. He said President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Dlamini Zuma had an opportunity to do things differently and correctly by lifting what he described as the “senseless and unnecessary state of emergency“.

“The Covid-19 infections are on the decline, we were hoping that the state of the disaster would be lifted. We urge citizens to continue taking precautions but return to their daily activities,” said Mdletshe.

He further said Ramaphosa and the government would have to explain why political parties campaigned freely, filled up stadiums last year while the country was under lockdown.

He said the leaders had been seen, including the president, walking around without masks and attending international meetings without wearing their masks.

He encouraged people to ignore the current extension and said all activities should take place. “We want all economic activities opened. We want fans to return to stadiums, musicians holding concerts with halls full capacity. Tourists must be allowed into the country without any preconditions or provision of vaccination certificates or proof.”

South Africa has been under regulations of the National State of Disaster on Covid-19 since March 2020, when it recorded its first cases of the virus.