Minister Dlamini-Zuma must repeal irrational regulations stopping auctions
4 July 2021
The DA is calling on the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to urgently repeal the irrational regulations stopping the auctions of livestock to take place during the current Level 4 lockdown.
The DA notes that the Minister allowed auctions to take place in accordance with stringent safety protocols during last year’s Level 4 lockdown. The regulations then allowed auctions to place as long as only owners of livestock, livestock agents and livestock agencies, registered with the registrar were allowed to hold or attend auctions, provided that they all had the necessary documentation required under the Stock Theft Act to transport livestock to and from the venue where auction was conducted.
Strong safety protocols were followed during these auctions which were hybrid in nature and held with great success. It should be noted that not one such auction turned into a super spreader event.
In terms of current Disaster Management Act, 2002, Amendment of Regulations issued in terms of Section 27(2) stipulate in Schedule 21 (16) that gathering at auctions are not permitted until 11 July 2021 after which the provision will be reviewed.