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Trevor Manuel, the former finance minister now tasked with mobilizing international support for Africa’s efforts to address the economic challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, says that some of the regulations imposed on South Africans fail the test of reasonableness.
Emphasizing his support for the government’s determination to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Manuel condemned law enforcement officials for using force during the shutdown and criticized some of the economic measures that have been implemented.
“I don’t think there is a trade-off between lives and livelihoods, I don’t think there is a trade-off between constitutional rights and the blockade,” he told SAfm radio.
The country has controversially banned the sale of certain types of goods and electronic commerce, cigarettes and alcohol, among other measures. Outdoor exercise by individuals, not groups, was allowed once stage four blocking was introduced, but only between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
“We must make sure that the economic rules are rational. I think that many of the decisions that have been made do not pass the test of rationality. What can and cannot be bought, etc., does not work. Also the idea that You can exercise only in a three-hour period, none of these pass the test of rationality, ” said Manuel.
“We need voices to speak to him [government’s interministerial Covid-19] national command center and ask that rationality be the order of the day. “
Manuel criticized the conduct of some law enforcement officers and said that the types of actions scheduled during the apartheid era should not be tolerated now.
“It’s about the abuse of the law.”
Manuel said the focus of the security services should be to help the government prevent the spread of Covid-19.
When human rights abuses occurred, the responsible senior officers, Ministers and parliament must take responsibility for their oversight role to hold officers accountable for their actions, Manuel said. Furthermore, he said, “the view that you should not provoke soldiers is simply wrong because soldiers must be trained,” and that requires discipline on their part.
Commenting on the conduct of troops and metropolitan police officers related to the death of the resident of Alexandra Collins Khosa on April 10, Manuel said: “Nowhere under the apartheid emergency regulations would we tolerate such things” .o wWhy should we be tolerant of soldier misbehavior here? meThese problems need to be addressed. “
Khoza’s family has approached the Pretoria High Court to request the suspension of the officers and an order requiring the defense force and the police to develop and publish a code of conduct and operating procedures that regulate the conduct of its members and the metropolitan police.
Defense and police ministers opposed the request, saying that adequate safeguards existed to deal with crimes committed by the police and soldiers.
The court reserved the judgment.
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