Nyakallo Tefu and Charles Molele
The only way combat the spread of the coronavirus is to adhere to drastic and urgent measures made by President Cyril Ramaphosa and stay home, Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Wednesday evening as the country imposed the most stringent restrictions in South Africa since the end of apartheid.
As from Friday, South African armed forces and various police units will be deployed on the streets to enforce the measures announced by Ramaphosa on Monday evening to help fight the virus, which has infected more than 500 people so far.
Speaking at the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster media briefing in Pretoria, Cele said no sale of alcohol, jogging or dog-walking will be allowed during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.
He said anyone found to be in contravention of these stringent regulations would be found guilty and on conviction will be liable to a fine, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both.
“Again I warn, failure to respect and obey the laws this time around, could drive us straight into a state of emergency,” said Cele.
Addressing transport-related issues at the same briefing, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said between 9am and 4pm, nobody will be allowed to roam the streets.
South Africans who need to make use of public transport will only be able to move around from 5am to 9am and then 4pm to 8pm, said Mbalula.
Mbalula announced the measures to cater specifically to essential services workers and ensure they were able to get to and from work.
Mbalula said during the lockdown period most services rendered by our entities will be suspended.
Vehicle Testing Centres and Drivers’ Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) will be also closed.
“Minibus-Taxis will be allowed to transport essential services workers and those allowed to make the necessary permitted movements. Transport movements in this regard will be allowed to operate from 05h00 to 09h00 and again from 16h00 to 20h00,” said Mbalula.
“Metered Taxis and e-Hailing vehicles will be allowed to transport essential services workers and those allowed to make the necessary permitted movements. Transport movements in this regard will be allowed to operate from 05h00 to 09h00 and again from 16h00 to 20h00.”
Mbalula said minibus taxis financed by the National Taxi Finance and administered by the Small Enterprises Finance Agency will be granted a three month repayment holiday.
Commercial banks are also considering similar measures, he said.
“We are encouraged by the positive response to the existing regulations by all stakeholders. These include sanitization of taxis and surfaces by the taxi industry and initiatives by e-Hailing providers to assist with transportation relating to healthcare logistics,” said Mbalula.
According to Arrive Alive, more 3.9 million South Africans depend on public transport to go to work and school.
An estimated 2.5 million taxi commuters account for over 63% of public transport work trips, while bus services account for another 22% of public transport commuters.
The rest are carried to work by trains.
During the 21-day lockdown, all shops, bars and restaurants will be closed and people have been urged to stay at home.
Ramaphosa said only essential services will operate normally, including hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets.
As countdown begins to the lockdown on Thursday evening, Ramaphosa called for a national day of prayer in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
He called on all citizens to observe two minutes of prayer, reflection or silent meditation on Thursday 26 March 2020 between 18:00 and 18:30 hours.
Ramaphosa said this is the moment when South Africans need to act together as one patriotic nation in solidarity with all those affected or impacted by COVID-19, not just in South Africa but around the world.
“These are challenging times. We are traversing a path we have never travelled before. There are many amongst us who are fearful, uncertain and vulnerable. I call on our people to offer a prayer and a thought for the protection and healing of our land and its people from this disease,” said Ramaphosa.
“Over the past two weeks, South Africans from all walks of life have demonstrated their resilience by complying with the restrictions that have been placed on their lives. Because we are in a state of national lockdown our prayers must be offered from our hearts and in our homes.”
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that as of Wednesday afternoon, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa had climbed to 709.
The number is a rise of 155 cases from Tuesday’s tally of 554.
