DA calls for a debate of national importance on deadly coronavirus
2 February 2020
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for a debate of national importance in accordance with Section 130 (1-8) of the National Assembly rules to debate the coronavirus and other pandemics.
A debate of national importance will afford the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to address Parliament and the nation on the readiness of the Department of Health to deal with this global pandemic. Additionally, it is crucial that the executive tables in parliament an inter-ministerial strategy.
The coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the world, having started in China, with cases now being recorded in over 18 other countries. Experts have warned that the Chinese Health System, which is far stronger than the South African one, was rocked by this virus. While there were other exacerbating factors which led to the rapid spread of the virus across China, the reality is that South Africa has deep cause for concern.
A patient has now been identified as infected with the coronavirus in Botswana, our neighbouring country. Effectively, this means that the virus is already at our borders.