Level 3: Moves in the right direction are not enough; Sakeliga still going to court 

24 May 2020

Despite growing scientific and public consensus that lockdown no longer serves a justified purpose, government has doubled down. It remains committed to its strategy of a protracted phasing-out of lockdown over what appears to be at least several months. 

“Yes, there have been moves in the right direction in tonight’s speech by President Ramaphosa,” says Piet le Roux, CEO of Sakeliga.  

“Notably, level 3, in so far as it is accords with his speech and leaked draft regulations, could reverse gear on economic prohibition: instead of outlawing everything except that which government permits, the level 3 plan is to rather set general conditions and outlaw only certain sectors and activities. It is, with some flaws and much too late, something Sakeliga, economists and chambers of commerce have been recommending for weeks now, notably contained in the ETM Analytics policy discussion paper released in April,” says Le Roux. 

“However, to welcome the announcements made by President Ramaphosa tonight as if they go far enough, as if we have not learnt how easily positions are reversed, and as if what remains is not arbitrary, onerous, and harmful would be to put relief before resolve.”  

Le Roux warns that “just the next week of level 4 regulations probably shaves another percentage point off GDP this year.” 

Le Roux notes that there appears to be some stepping-back from business licensing: “This is unsurprising, given inter alia Sakeliga’s looming court case, yet no guarantees have been given. On the contrary, the public keeps being reminded that previous restrictions could at any time be reimposed. As such, Sakeliga will pursue its court case as set down in the Pretoria High Court for Tuesday 26 May, in support of freedom to do business, protection against obstruction by law-enforcement, and of the separation of powers between national, provincial, and local government.” 

While flawed, the new stipulations as set out in what appears to be leaked drafts of the level 3 regulations should allow many more businesses to operate. Yet, still the senseless tobacco ban, what amounts to a form of house arrest, and the unnecessary decimation of industries such as hospitality, hair-dressing and other personal services, and others remain.” 

Issued by Piet le Roux, CEO: Sakeliga, 24 May 2020