SAPS ‘Implored’ to Allow Restaurant Owners’ Peaceful Protest Today PHOTOS

South African restaurants around the country are currently holding a peaceful protest, despite warnings from the SA Police Service (SAPS) yesterday that the protest might infringe on Disaster Management Act (DMA) regulation 37(1)(l).

The protest (Million Seats in the Streets), planned by the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA), includes owners placing their empty tables and chairs in front of their restaurants to demonstrate the financial impact of the extended Covid-19 lockdown and the restrictive regulations for restaurants.

According to SAPS, the Disaster Management regulation states that conduct on business premises should form part of the legitimate business and is thus not protected.

However, while there have been some reports of police removing tables and chairs from the street, there have also been individual police officers who have been compassionate and advised owners to protest from the pavements. One told an owner: “I would be standing with you if I could.”

In Mouille Point, Cape Town, police were rerouting traffic to help… and motorists were hooting in support as they passed Hussars Grill.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it supports the right of restaurant owners and staff to protest “irrational and damaging Covid-19 regulations that endanger their livelihoods”, in a manner that complies with health and safety regulations.

The DA said it is disconcerting that SAPS seems to be trying to stifle people’s right to protest as protected by the Constitution. The DA said while this is certainly extraordinary circumstances, and the Covid-19 regulations have put restrictions on movements, SAPS must be “consequent in their conduct”. The police have recently allowed protests against gender-based violence (GBV) and farm attacks to proceed peacefully, and “we ask that the same consideration is given this protest”, said the DA.

Manny De Freitas MP – DA Shadow Minister of Tourism – pointed out that restaurant owners have not indicated that they will be gathering in large crowds, or contravening Covid-19 health and safety protocols like social distancing and mask wearing.

“We implore SAPS and other law enforcement officials to allow the peaceful and very necessary protest to continue unencumbered,” said de Freitas. “Every South African has the right to protest, and must be allowed to do so.”

A restaurant chef, Wandile Freedom Nzimande, posted an impassioned plea on RASA’s group page, saying: “TODAY. It is Not just an ordinary day. Today, the Hospitality industry is taking a stand, together in the streets all over the country. We want our voices to be heard. We want the government to understand how we feel… These Covid_19 regulations are killing us.We are strangled and our hands are cut off. Today is not about being a Yes man… It is about change… Let’s save our restaurants. Let’s save our tourism industry. Let’s save our hospitality industry. Let’s save our chefs, so that there would be a future. Join us before it all goes down in flames…” (Read Wandile’s full post here.)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1200872110266263&set=gm.625407991428055&type=3&theater&ifg=1

South Africans around the country are asked to join – bring a poster, a white flag or hoot while driving past.

WATCH Police arrive in Franschhoek

https://www.facebook.com/dorte.schu.9/videos/10224066271263988/

South Africans around the world are supporting restaurants in this peaceful protest:

https://twitter.com/ezaap/status/1285878292357283840

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3497089526978853&set=gm.625413791427475&type=3&theater&ifg=1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3065653016833946&set=pcb.625413948094126&type=3&theater&ifg=1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159334772162985&set=a.10154322930392985&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156990885856621&set=pcb.625405131428341&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Magaliesberg:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158337298023467&set=pcb.625402061428648&type=3&theater&ifg=1

https://www.facebook.com/dirk.vandermescht.9/videos/10218628154963686/

Umhlanga:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158786007616340&set=pcb.625420988093422&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Countless chefs, waiters, winery workers, hoteliers & tourism operators line the #Stellenbosch streets supporting #JobsSaveLives protesting irrational government laws banning the tourism and wine industry.
Are you listening @CyrilRamaphosa ?? pic.twitter.com/OMiI2j3Yyv

— FarmerMike™ 👨‍🌾 (@mikeratcliffe) July 22, 2020

Warming up on Bree street with Family ⁦@GrubandVineCT⁩ making a noise. #jobssavelives pic.twitter.com/QKKg3mrjCQ

— Ian & Lise Manley (@manleysocial_) July 22, 2020

More pics here, plus details on how you can support SA’s restaurants.