Cyril Ramaphosa
The entire
world is in the unrelenting grip of the coronavirus pandemic, whose spread has
been rapid. A vaccine has yet to be found. Across the world, over 3.4 million
people are known to be infected and more than 240,000 have died. These are
indeed desperate times.
When the national state of disaster was declared six weeks ago, South Africa
only had 61 confirmed coronavirus infections. Despite the relatively low
number, expert opinion and international experience indicated that infections
would rise exponentially.
I said that
urgent and drastic measures would need to be taken.
Those measures – which included a nation-wide lockdown and the closure of our
borders – have proved to be effective in delaying the spread of the disease.
This has been possible because most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown
provisions, practising social distancing and wearing face masks.
I applaud
you for this and for all the other sacrifices you have made.
At this stage in the progress of the pandemic, other countries had far more
infections than we do. As of now – which is 46 days since we recorded our 100th
coronavirus case – we have 6,783 confirmed cases.
Italy, which
has a similar size population to ours, had more than 140,000 cases and the
United States had around 700,000 confirmed cases at the 46-day mark.
But this does not mean that the danger has passed.
We have not nearly reached the peak of infections in South Africa.
All the
scientific models show that the infection rate will continue to rise at a much
faster rate in the next few months.
However, the speed with which the virus spreads and the number of people who
are ultimately infected will be determined by what we do now. That is why the
easing of the lockdown needs to be gradual and cautious.
It is for this reason that many regulations need to remain in place and why it is absolutely essential that people observe them. I know how difficult this is and I understand the concern that many of our compatriots have about how these regulations are interfering and limiting their rights.
But all this
is necessary. Our overriding objective is the preservation of life.
Social distancing and proper hygiene are still our best and only defences in
this struggle. This is what informs the regulations we have put in place for
level 4 of our response.
Our considerations are based on empirical
evidence, scientific and economic data and international best practice.
In the 1995 judgment of the Constitutional Court that outlawed capital
punishment, Justice Arthur Chaskalson wrote: “The rights to life and dignity
are the most important of all human rights and the source of all other personal
rights. By committing ourselves to a society founded on the recognition of
human rights we are required to value these two rights above all others.”
The regulations we have put in place are founded on that commitment to life and
dignity, and which justify – in these extreme circumstances – temporary
restrictions on other rights, like freedom of movement and association.
In doing this, South Africa is not unlike many other countries.
An estimated one-fifth of the world’s population is under quarantine or
nationwide lockdown, with this number growing rapidly in response to rising
infections. This includes countries with substantially larger populations than
ours, like India with its 1.5 billion people.
Dozens of countries have imposed curfews such as the one that is now in place
here. Limitations on movement are in place in a number of countries. In the UK
and the French capital, Paris, public exercise is limited to certain hours and
within a certain distance of one’s home.
Containment and prevention measures similar to ours are in place in a number of
countries. For example, alcohol sales during lockdown have been either
restricted or banned in a number of territories and by local governments,
including parts of Mexico, Hong Kong and Greenland, which last month imposed a
ban on alcohol sales during lockdown to limit infection but also ‘to curb
violence against women and children.’
There has been much public comment on government’s decision to extend the
prohibition on the sale of tobacco products into level 4. A decision like this
is bound to be controversial, but it is wrong to suggest that there are
Ministers or a President doing and saying whatever they want on this matter.
On 23 April, I announced that cigarette sales would be permitted during level
4. This was based on the view of the National Coronavirus Command Council
(NCCC), and which was contained in the draft framework that was published for
consulation.
After careful consideration and discussion, the NCCC reconsidered its position
on tobacco. As a result, the regulations ratified by Cabinet and announced by
Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on 29 April extended the prohibition.
This was a collective decision and the public statements by both myself and the
Minister were done on behalf of, and mandated by, the collective I lead.
Every regulation we have put in place has been carefully considered. Along the
way there has been consultation with medical experts, various constituencies
and different industries. We have been guided by international bodies and the
experience of other countries.
The reality is that we are sailing in uncharted waters. There is still a great
deal about the epidemiology of the virus that is unknown. It is better to err
on the side of caution than to pay the devastating price of a lapse in judgment
in future.
While there are differing views on some of the decisions we have taken – and in
some instances these have polarised opinion – government is making every effort
to act in a way that advances the rights to life and dignity of all our people.
Listening to our people and their concerns during this period has been one of
the distinguishing features of how we as government have managed this pandemic.
We continue to listen to the concerns of our people and are prepared to make
adjustments that balance people’s concerns about the challenges they face with
the need to save lives.
At this difficult time, our collective energies must be focused on ensuring
that health and life is preserved, that the delivery of food, water, health
care, social security and social support is not disrupted.
Under these extraordinary circumstances, as government, as individuals and as
society we will at times make mistakes. When these occur, we will correct them.
But we must carry on, losing neither our nerve nor our resolve.
The situation in which we find ourselves demands courage and patience. It
requires goodwill and trust between you, the citizen, and your government, and
between each other.
Over the past five weeks, most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown
regulations and, as a result, we have slowed the spread of the virus.
It is my plea that we continue in this way and that we remain united in
confronting this grave threat to the life and dignity of our people.
