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SA's COVID-19 state of disaster extended another month to mixed reactions

Minister of co-operative governance Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has extended the state of disaster to 15 November. It gives the government unchecked power to make arbitrary regulations to stop the spread of COVID-19, even as the virus continues to recede sharply. But says a Business Day report, as the government clings to this power, the question is: did the lockdown that was imposed in terms of the state of disaster even work to stop the spread of the virus?

A growing number of analyses show that while causing economic misery, the lockdown didn’t put a halt to the increase of cases of the disease. The University of Johannesburg academics say: “Even though we didn’t agree with it, putting South Africa into a hard lockdown was understandable as a precautionary measure in a state of ignorance.” Importantly, however, they say: “the silver lining is that, if our analysis is correct, there is currently little reason to fear a severe second wave in South Africa or in the region generally. The lockdown was … ineffective, therefore exposure has probably been widespread, and dramatic resurgence is not likely.”

And as the government extends the state of disaster, which gives it extraordinary power, many are counting the costs of the lockdown.

In a detailed piece in the Journal of Democracy, University of Cape Town husband-and-wife team of Nicoli Nattrass, who is professor of economics, and Jeremy Seekings, professor of political studies and sociology, argue that the consequences of such an authoritarian lockdown will be felt for some time to come.

“With hindsight, the decision to impose a comprehensive and countrywide lockdown so early may have been a mistake, militarising the COVID-19 response and turning it into a law-and-order issue,” they say.

The decision itself, they say, appears to have been driven by a “combination of deference to medical scientists, the technocratic inclinations of the president, and the authoritarian bent of other ANC leaders.”

And they warn: “The consequences of a weakened economy and a more militarised state are likely to cast a long shadow over South Africa for years to come.”

 

[link url="https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/features/2020-10-15-why-dlamini-zuma-bungled-state-of-disaster-extension/"]Full Business Day report[/link]

 

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