Premier Winde playing a reckless game with the lives of people in the Western Cape 

14 May 2020

While many South Africans don't like certain provisions of the lockdown regulations, including those related to smoking, alcohol and exercise – and there are valid fears about the economic landscape that awaits us when the coronavirus has run its course – the DA is playing a reckless game in mocking the national response to the pandemic, fomenting division and undermining our sense of common purpose.

Last week, the party leadership spouted the high risk position that the lockdown was unnecessary. Today, the Premier of the DA-led Western Cape said he'd be first in line to demand that lockdown provisions are relaxed to level three.

The Western Cape has recorded the highest number of infections and deaths in the country. These facts call for leadership that is cautious, wise, and on-message in supporting national containment measures. What do we have? Mixed messaging on isolation and quarantine protocols, and mixed messaging on social distancing, getting the provincial legislature back to work and the wearing of masks.

A national disaster is not a good time for populist rhetoric or cavalier behaviour. It is not the time for buzz-words like "data-led evidence based approach" and "hotspot plans". It is a time for discipline and common purpose. It is a time to try and prevent as much sickness and death as we possibly can.

We'd all love to move to level 3, but it would be irrational and negligent to do so for as long as the trajectory of the pandemic shows a spike in infections and deaths. The move to level 3 must be supported by science.

Issued by Brett Herron, Secretary General, GOOD, 14 May 2020