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President Cyril Ramaphosa announces changes to the closure.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced late Wednesday that South Africa would switch to Level 1 of its national blockade.
- Business 4 South Africa Co-Chair Martin Kingston said it was vital that South Africans remain vigilant to avoid a second spike in deaths.
- Kingston said that corruption in Covid-19 aid procurement undermined South Africa’s ability to achieve an inclusive, long-term and successful economic recovery.
Business 4 South Africa Co-Chair Martin Kingston joined President Cyril Ramaphosa’s calls for the country to remain vigilant against Covid-19, as well as corruption within state procurement aimed at responding to the pandemic, while South Africa further lifts the restrictions.
Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday night that, as of September 20, South Africa would switch to Alert Level 1 of its national lockdown in order to slow the spread of the virus.
Under this level of lockdown, restrictions on more service-based industries will be lifted and limited international travel will be allowed.
In a statement released by B4SA on Thursday morning, Kingston said the contribution from healthcare workers showed that if South Africans work together in a crisis for a common cause, the country can overcome uncertainty and challenges.
“B4SA is now calling on all South Africans to play their part in the economic recovery that is now so desperately needed. We must all ask ourselves how each of us can contribute to rebuilding our economy by supporting relevant areas in the plan, Kingston said.
Kingston said that as the country began its journey towards economic recovery after the impact of the pandemic and the shutdown, it was vital that South Africans remain vigilant to avoid a second spike in deaths as seen in other countries.
“It is vitally important that we protect ourselves against a resurgent second wave. This can only be achieved by adhering to the now well-known imperatives of continuing to wear masks, keep safe distances from other people, and wash hands or use hand sanitizer regularly.” Kingston said.
Kingston also spoke stern words about the corruption found in the procurement of goods and services intended to empower the government to respond to the pandemic. He said this undermined South Africa’s ability to achieve an inclusive, long-term and successful economic recovery.
“We are making an urgent call to all parties in South Africa to immediately cease all forms of fraud, crime and corruption, as they will certainly obstruct the success of the agreed priority focus areas that require urgent action,” he said.
On Wednesday night, Ramaphosa said that he had received the first interim report from the Special Investigation Unit on the progress of investigations related to the misuse of Covid-19 funds.
He said the SIU is working together with eight other agencies at the Covid-19 fusion center that are detecting, investigating and prosecuting “any instance of corruption.”
Ramaphosa also said that while many of the remaining restrictions on economic activity will be eased, it will still be some time before it is certain that all sectors are fully functional again.
* With additional information from Lameez Omarjee.
