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In his weekly letter to the nation on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the government’s decision to impose a severe blockade on South Africans, which included the decision to continue the ban on tobacco sales after Ramaphosa initially announced that would get up.
He said this setback had been a collective decision and that no minister was challenging it, which some have suggested.
He mentioned a few other countries that have also imposed a ban on the sale of alcohol.
Regarding the constitutionality of the blocking regulations, he said that this was based on a ruling by the Constitutional Court that the right to life can be seen to replace other rights such as freedom of movement.
In what could be read as a response to many who asked Ramaphosa to allow them to risk the virus, he said: “The reality is that we are sailing in unknown waters. There is still much 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 future lapse of judgment.
“While there are different views on some of the decisions we have made, and in some cases they have polarized opinions, the government is doing everything possible to act in a way that promotes the rights to life and dignity of all our people”.
Read your letter below in its entirety for you:
Dear South African partner,
The whole world is in relentless control of the coronavirus pandemic, the spread of which has been rapid. A vaccine has not yet been found. Worldwide, more than 3.4 million people are known to be infected and more than 240,000 have died. In fact, these are desperate times.
When the state of national 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 increase exponentially. I said that urgent and drastic measures would have to be taken.
Those measures, which included a national blockade and the closure of our borders, have proven effective in delaying the spread of the disease.
This has been possible because the majority of South Africans have adhered to the blocking provisions, practicing social distancing and the use of face masks. I applaud you for this and for all the other sacrifices you have made.
At this stage of the pandemic’s progress, other countries had far more infections than we did. As of now, which is 46 days since we recorded our 100th coronavirus case: we have 6,783 confirmed cases. Italy, which has a population size similar 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 scientific models show that the infection rate will continue to increase at a much faster rate in the coming months.
However, the speed with which the virus spreads and the number of people who eventually become infected will depend on what we do now. That is why the reduction of the blockade must be gradual and cautious. It is for this reason that many regulations must remain in force 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 primary objective is the preservation of life.
Social distancing and proper hygiene remain our best and only defenses in this fight. This is what informs the regulations we have established for level 4 of our answer. Our considerations are based on empirical evidence, scientific and economic data, and international best practices.
In the 1995 Constitutional Court ruling that banned capital punishment, Judge 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 must value these two rights above all others. “
The regulations we have established are based on that commitment to life and dignity, and which justify, in these extreme circumstances, temporary restrictions on other rights, such as freedom of movement and association.
By doing this, South Africa is no different than many other countries.
An estimated one fifth of the world’s population is under national quarantine or closure, and this number is growing rapidly in response to increased infections. This includes countries with populations substantially larger than ours, such as India with its 1.5 billion people.
Dozens of countries have imposed curfews like the one now in effect here. There are movement limitations in various countries. In the United Kingdom and the French capital, Paris, public exercise is limited to certain hours and a certain distance from one’s home.
Similar containment and prevention measures have been implemented in several countries. For example, alcohol sales during the shutdown have been restricted or banned in various territories and by local governments, including parts of Mexico, Hong Kong, and Greenland, which last month imposed a ban on alcohol sales during the shutdown for limit infection, but also “to stop violence against women and children”.
There have been many public comments about the government’s decision to extend the ban on the sale of tobacco products to level 4. A decision like this will surely be controversial, but it is incorrect to suggest that there are ministers or a president doing and saying whatever they want about this issue.
On April 23, I announced that cigarette sales would be allowed during Tier 4. This was based on the opinion of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), and that it was contained in the draft framework that was released for consultation.
After careful consideration and discussion, the NCCC reconsidered its position on tobacco. As a result, regulations ratified by the Cabinet and announced by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on April 29 extended the ban.
This was a collective decision and the public statements of me and the Minister were made on behalf of and under the mandate of the group that I lead.
Every regulation we have implemented has been carefully considered. Along the way there have been consultations with medical experts, various groups and different industries. We have been guided by international organizations and the experience of other countries.
The reality is that we are sailing in unknown waters. There is still much 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 future lapse of judgment.
While there are different views on some of the decisions we have made, and in some cases they have polarized opinions, the government is doing everything possible to act in a way that promotes 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 hallmarks of how we as a 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.
In this difficult time, our collective energies must focus on ensuring that health and life are maintained, that food, water, health care, social security and social support supplies are not interrupted.
In these extraordinary circumstances, as a government, as individuals, and as a society, we will sometimes make mistakes. When this occurs, we will correct them. But we must continue, without losing our nerves or our determination.
The situation we find ourselves in requires courage and patience. It requires goodwill and trust between you, the citizen and your government, and between them.
Over the past five weeks, most South Africans have adhered to the shutdown 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 to confront this grave threat to the life and dignity of our people.
With the best wishes,
Cyril Ramaphosa
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