In a bid to quell unrest in parts of South Africa, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has amended lockdown regulations to allow certain community gatherings.
The amendments are contained in a government gazette published on Wednesday (14 July) and take effect immediately.
‘Emergency matters’
Under the adjusted lockdown level four regulations introduced about three weeks ago, all gatherings, including religious and political, are not permitted.
However, the new amendments grant an exemption to the following leaders “for the exercise of oversight responsibility and community engagements:”
- Members of Parliament.
- Members of provincial legislatures.
- Councillors.
- Leaders of political parties.
- Religious leaders.
- Traditional leaders.
“Gatherings at community engagements, hosted by members of Parliament, members of provincial legislatures, councillors, leaders of political parties, religious leaders and traditional leaders to deal with emergency matters are permitted,” Dlamini-Zuma writes in the gazette notice.
The amendments follow a meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and religious leaders on Tuesday evening.
“Religious leaders urged government to consider allowing communities of faith to gather for worship, while observing COVID-19 health regulations, as part of the national effort to restore calm and provide counselling to communities,” Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said after the meeting.
South Africa’s unrest and looting
Parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have experienced widespread unrest and looting for several days, forcing Ramaphosa to authorise the deployment of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) on Monday.
The looting was triggered by acts of vandalism and arson that started soon after former President Jacob Zuma began his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court last week.
According to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS), more than 1,200 people have been arrested so far, while over 70 people have lost their lives in the unrest.
The unrest in KwaZulu-Natal may cause bread shortage in South Africa, according to a News24 report. The closure of the N3 highway has affected the supply of yeast to bakeries in Gauteng.
There are also concerns that fuel supply may be affected after the closure of South Africa’s largest oil refinery SAPREF. However, the Automobile Association has discouraged motorists from panic-buying fuel.