Municipality Dlamini-Zuma District Development Model (DDM)

Photo: GCIS

DA fume after State of Disaster extension ‘was issued by Dlamini-Zuma’

The State of Disaster laws have been extended. But critics are upset with the decision – and the fact it was signed off by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Municipality Dlamini-Zuma District Development Model (DDM)

Photo: GCIS

Senior figures within the DA have warned of, amongst other things, a ‘looting orgy’ in the next month, after the State of Disaster Regulations were extended by another month. The legislation will now be in place until at least 15 September, but opposition leader John Steenhuisen isn’t happy with the alleged influence of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

John Steenhuisen slams Dlamini-Zuma for ‘approving State of Disaster’

The COGTA Minister – who has been accused of usurping Cyril Ramaphosa to ‘call the shots’ in government – is the politician who signed off on the extension this weekend. Rather than the document being signed by the president, it is Dlamini-Zuma’s signature that appears at the bottom of the page.

Steenhuisen hinted that this was an ominous development for South Africa, suggesting that NDZ would be leading the lockdown response rather than Ramaphosa. This sardonic Tweet was posted earlier on Saturday:

Signing off on this gazette does fall under Dlamini-Zuma’s job remit as COGTA Minister. But the specifics of the law have done little to quell the anger coming from the blue corner of Parliament.

DA fume over possible ‘looting orgies’

He isn’t the only senior DA figure upset with these developments. Dean Macpherson, the shadow trade minister, claims that Cyril Ramaphosa’s government has extended the State of Disaster ‘to help grease the wheels of corruption’. The politician implied that this is an opportunity ‘to loot more cash for another 30 days.’

Leon Schreiber, also part of the shadow cabinet, predicted that a ‘looting orgy’ was on the cards for the ANC.

“We’ve all seen how the State of Disaster has facilitated the latest ANC looting orgy. It is time to ask whether this extension of another 30 days is explicitly designed by Ramaphosa to continue the ANC feeding frenzy?”

Leon Schreiber

It is looking increasingly likely that a wave of lockdown changes will be implemented on Saturday night, with South Africa possibly moving forward into Level 2 for the first time. You can catch Ramaphosa’s speech here, and it expected to begin at 20:00. ‘Fellow South Africans’, there could be some good news ahead.

  • This article has been amended from a previous version