Live stream: Watch Dlamini-Zuma, NCCC reveal Level 3 regulations

Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) are expected to address the nation on Level 3 lockdown regulations on Thursday 28 May.

After two consecutive postponements earlier this week, a swelling sense of unease surrounds the NCCC’s update on Level 3 lockdown regulations. While directives issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa touched on some risk-adjusted elements, regulations associated with the Disaster Management Act are yet to be gazetted, leaving room for government to manoeuvre before 1 June.

Facing fierce criticism for the government’s delayed approach, Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, confirmed that last-minute announcements and subsequent consultations were being finalised by the NCCC. Mthembu noted that President Ramaphosa’s recent proclamation concerning places of worship had warranted further debate and delays regarding Level 3 lockdown regulations.

Watch: Dlamini-Zuma and NCCC detail Level 3 regulations

[Note: This live stream is scheduled to begin at 14:00 on Thursday 28 May]

This comes at a time when government has been inundated with challenges — of legal, political and public importance — aimed at overturning certain regulations, like the hotly contested tobacco ban, and clarifying the risk-adjusted approach, which holds the power to tighten restrictions in areas declared as ‘hotspots’.

It’s further alleged that political infighting within African National Congress (ANC) — and, by proxy, the NCCC — has marred collective decision-making processes. This has, in turn, allegedly led to dissatisfaction amongst officials, who feel they have been unfairly overruled, which has resulted in further delays.

Mthembu dispels rumours of disunity

Mthembu has, however, denied rumours of division within the ranks and has, instead, explained that lengthy consultative sessions needed to be finalised prior to the authorisation of regulations and announcements made by Dlamini-Zuma and the NCCC.

Mthembu explained that following an announcement by Dlamini-Zuma, individual members of the NCCC would brief South Africa on specific regulations within their departmental remit, saying:

“At 17:00 [on Thursday 28 May], we will have the minister of police, minister of defence, minister of home affairs and the minister of justice speaking to the preparedness of all these ministers who are under the cluster as it relates to Level 3.”

Business owners and employees have blasted government’s delayed response, arguing that, with the economy set to reopen on 1 June, affording industries only a few days to prepare, in line with the regulations, was unfair and reckless.