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- The ANC in the Western Cape asked the police to arrest and prosecute people who organized protests on the beach.
- Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde said the “absurd” beach ban was hurting the province’s economy.
- The ANC said that occupation of beaches in defiance of lockdown regulations created potential super spreader events.
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde has defended protesters calling for the province’s beaches to be reopened.
He said the ban was costing the Western Cape more than 100 million rand a month.
Winde spoke amid calls from the ANC in the Western Cape for the provincial police commissioner, Lt. Gen. Yolisa Matakata, to order an investigation.
The ANC wants the police to arrest and accuse organizers of “deliberate” violation of closure regulations on some beaches in the province on Saturday.
The call comes in the wake of a protest on Muizenberg Beach, where some 500 people descended to protest Level 3 lockdown regulations regarding the beach ban. The protesters threatened to continue their protest until the beach ban was lifted.
Winde said the Western Cape government supported calls for the lifting of the “no-nonsense” beach ban.
“The Western Cape government does not support a ban on beaches and other open air spaces, and I have always argued against it at every opportunity. It is not based on good scientific advice, as outdoor areas with good ventilation is safer. They strongly argue that this ban be urgently lifted at today’s President’s Coordinating Council meeting, “Winde said.
Winde added: “This beach ban is estimated to be costing the Western Cape more than R100 million every month, and will destroy jobs at a time when we desperately need to create them. I am also concerned that the ban will continue. that is not based on science and basic common sense is eroding trust in government, precisely at a time when trust is vital to successful vaccine implementation.
“This is clearly demonstrated in yesterday’s protests [Saturday], where people feel they have no other option to have their voices heard. The national government should take this seriously. That said, our government supports the rule of law and we oppose anyone breaking the law. We promise our residents that we are doing everything we can to remove this absurd ban as soon as possible. ”
SEE | Covid-19 regulations: Cape protesters say ‘enough is enough’, they want beaches to reopen
In a statement, the ANC said it wanted an explanation from SAPS on why there were no duty officers in Muizenberg on Sunday when bathers frolicked in the sea in a blatant violation of lockdown regulations.
Western Cape Police spokesman Brigadier Novela Potelwa promised to give a detailed response at a later stage.
The answer will be added when it is received.
The ANC said it considers Saturday’s beach protests a deliberate attempt to undermine the national government’s attempt to save the economy and South Africa from being devastated by Covid-19.
The match in a statement released by Lerumo Kalako and Ronalda Nalumango:
“The Western Cape is not a renegade province, with Cape Town as its capital – it is part of South Africa. We urge the provincial commissioner to order the arrest of the organizers and ensure that they appear in court without delay. Also ask them to get the maximum penalty for breaking the lockdown rules and for inciting others to break the rules. “
The party added that, by deliberately occupying the beaches in defiance of closure regulations, those behind these protests created potential over-broadcast events, the results of which could result in more Covid-19 cases.
“We were not at all surprised that the DA-led city of Cape Town and the provincial government did not ask the organizers to cancel their protest. This silence once again exposes the DA’s hypocrisy: they are quick to jump on top and down when ANC members violate regulations, but retreat behind a collective silence when some break regulations in the Western Cape. “
The ANC is the latest political party to intervene in the protest on the beach after the EFF criticized the police and the city of Cape Town for “standing idly by” while closure rules were violated.
Cape Town law enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said police were the “lead agent” during the protest and that city law enforcement officers had followed their instructions.
Police had said that its members watched the protest closely and then peacefully withdrew the protesters.
