Citizens Can Legally Challenge Lockdown, Says Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the government recognises that there have been criticisms of the way it has handled the lockdown and every South African has a right to to take this matter to the courts.

“There has been, and will continue to be, robust and strident critique of a number of aspects of our national response to coronavirus, from the data modelling and projections, to the economic effects of the lockdown, to the regulations,” Ramaphosa said in his letter today. “As government we have neither called for such critique to be tempered or for it to be silenced.”

Numerous criticisms have been made – and court cases started – by the Democratic Alliance and other opposition parties, as well as civil liberty grounds like Dear South Africa, which challenged the government over its lockdown of e-commerce. A few hours before the challenge was to reach court, the e-commerce ban was lifted. Tobacco companies have threatened, and then withdrawn from, legal action over the ban on tobacco sales.

“Where it is constructive, (criticism) helps us to adapt and to move with agility in response to changing circumstances and conditions. It enriches public debate and gives us all a broader understanding of the issues at play,” Ramaphosa said.

“We have consistently maintained that we rely on scientific, economic and empirical data when it comes to making decisions and formulating regulations around our Coronavirus response. To the greatest extent possible under these challenging circumstances, we aim for consultation and engagement. We want all South Africans to be part of this national effort. The voices of ordinary citizens must continue to be heard at a time as critical as this.”