Deputy president David Mabuza gives update on mandatory Covid vaccines in South Africa

GOVERNMENT has no plans to introduce a mandatory Covid-19 vaccine policy in South Africa, says deputy president David Mabuza.

“One thing we are not going to do is force people to go and vaccinate,” Mabuza said in response to oral questions in parliament.

“We think (that) would be crossing the ‘red line’. All we can do is encourage our people to go and vaccinate.”

Mabuza added that the government instead plans to ‘persuade’ citizens to see the benefits of taking the vaccine through various incentives, including ongoing restrictions around gatherings that limit unvaccinated people to 1,000 people indoors and 2,500 people outdoors.

While no South Africans will be blocked from essential services, it is hoped that more people will vaccinate to gain access to sports and other events.

The deputy president confirmed that the government was still planning to lift its national state of disaster and most lockdown restrictions, despite