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"The national state of disaster can only last for 3 months or 90 days," Said Jackson Mthembu.

Image: Government website

Mdunge Skhumbuzo

The minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu has briefed the media on the outcomes of a cabinet meeting that was held on Thursday, 04 June 2020.

The visual cabinet meeting was held to discuss the government's effort to save lives amidst the pandemic of Covid-19. The meeting also reflected on the court judgment that was delivered by North Gauteng high court on Tuesday. The court has declared the Covid-19 lockdown regulations that were applied in alert level 3 and 4 as unconstitutional and invalid.

Mthembu said, "After obtaining the legal advice and listening to numerous comments made by members of the legal fraternity, in reaction to this judgment, we're of the view that another court judgment might come on different conclusion. The Cabinet has therefore decided to appeal the North Gauteng high court decision".

While the government appeals to the court judgment, all current regulations will remain enforced. The government would ask their appeal to be held on an urgent basis to avoid uncertainty.   

The minister of corporate governance and traditional affairs (COGTA), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has asked the cabinet to extend the national state of disaster by another month.

Mthembu said, " the cabinet has approved the extension of the national state of disaster by another month from the 15 of June to the 15 of July 2020. The national state of disaster can only last for 3 months or 90 days, and the 3 months or 90 days of the current state of disaster expires on the 15 of June. It was, therefore, necessary for the minister of COGTA to allow this extension and it allowed under our law".

Mthembu said the cabinet has also spoked about the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the Western Cape. President Cyril Ramaphosa would undertake a visit to the province on Friday, 05 June, to discuss the situation with the premier, Alan Winde, and the provincial executive to access the province readiness for continued management of the pandemic. President Cyril Ramaphosa would be accompanied by the minister of health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Defense Force, Nosiviwe Nqakula, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga and the Minister police, Mr. Beki Cele.

Mthembu said the fourth issue that the cabinet spoke about was the child protection week. The cabinet reminds the public that this week is child protection week which started on Sunday, March 31st, and would end on the coming Sunday, the 7th of June. Child protection week seeks to elevate issues of the protection of children throughout the year. The theme of this year's child protection week says "Let us all protect children during Covid-19 and beyond".

Mthembu concluded by saying, "The last issue that the cabinet looks at was the water shortage. The cabinet noted the recent drop in dam levels, particularly, in the Western Cape. As the water-scarce country, the dam levels as the negative impacts on our water needs. The Cabinet has, therefore, appealed to all of us as South Africans to use water sparingly".

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