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Winde said he has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking him to reconsider the measure.
A beach in the Eastern Cape. © Claudia Schnepf / 123rf.com
CAPE TOWN – CAPE TOWN – The Democratic Alliance (DA) highlighted Thursday the importance of the Garden Route beaches being open to the public during the Christmas season.
Party leaders filed an urgent request in the Western Cape Superior Court to overturn a government decision to close beaches in the region.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this week that, as part of COVID-19 mitigation measures, the beaches in the Garden Route district would be closed until January 3, 2020.
The district attorney, however, said the move to the beaches has already had a negative impact on businesses in the region.
Party leader John Steenhuisen said he expected the court to rule in his favor when the matter was heard on Monday.
“That is why we urge the courts to speed up the annulment of this decision, as the livelihoods of thousands of people are currently at stake.”
Steenhuisen said there is no scientific evidence to support the government’s decision to close the beaches.
At the same time, Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde is also competing to reopen the Garden Route beaches during the holiday season.
Winde said he has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking him to reconsider the move because he believes the decision would deal a devastating blow to the region’s economy, which relies heavily on tourism.
He also agreed that the decision was not based on rational scientific evidence.
Desperate measures have been taken as COVID-19 infections continue to rise.
OBSERVATION: Beaches closed, new access points, and early curfew: COVID-19 restriction update
These are the areas that are part of the Garden Route District:
Bitou Municipality:
- Plettenberg Bay
- Keurboomstrand
- Kurland
- Kranshoek
- And peace
- Valley of nature
- Wittedrift
George Township:
- George
- Desert
- Hoekwil
- Glentana
- Herolds Bay
- Victoria Bay
- Haarlem
- Uniondale
- Herold
- Noll
Municipality of Hessequa:
- Albertinia
- Still bay
- Riversdale
- Heidelberg
- Slanderer
- Jongensfontein
- Blombos
- Gouritsmond
- Point
- Witsand
Kannaland Township:
- Calitzdorp
- Zoar
- Ladismith
- Van wyksdorp
Knysna Township:
- Knysna
- Sedgefield
- Brenton
- Buffalo bay
- Rheenendal
Mossel Bay Township:
- Boggoms Bay
- Brandwag
- Tubular welding
-
Dana Bay
-
Glentana
- Beautiful view
- Friemersheim
- Great river Brak
- Hartenbos
- Herbertsdale
- Hersham
- KwaNonqaba
- Little Brak River
- Outeniqua Beach
- Reebok, Ruiterbos
- South Cross
- Tergniet
- Vleesbaai
Greater Oudtshoorn Township:
- The rest
- Dysselsdorp
- Oudtshoorn
- Perfection
The Democratic Alliance and AfriForum have gone to court to challenge the measure which also affects the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
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