Dlamini-Zuma asks Cabinet to consider extending national lockdown

- Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has asked Cabinet to extend the current National State of Disaster

- This move comes just hours before the one-month extension is set to expire

- This is despite mounting calls for SA to be shifted to Level 2 in order for the economy to begin recovering from the crisis

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has asked Cabinet to consider extended the Declaration of the National State of Disaster.

Her department confirmed that the proposal was received by Cabinet which is currently considering the submission.

The one-month extension of the Declaration is set to expire on 15 August at midnight after being invoked on 27 March at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Should Cabinet approve this proposal it will be the third extension approved during the crisis.

JacarandaFM reports that COGTA spokesperson Lungi Mtshali confirmed that Cabinet will announce its decision before the current extension expires.

READ ALSO: Steenhuisen tells Ramaphosa to end lockdown: "Act like a President"

It remains unclear when President Cyril Ramaphosa will address South Africa on the way forward amid the pandemic.

There is currently immense pressure on the state to ease restrictions with the economy baulking under the strain of the pandemic.

Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Democratic Alliance interim leader John Steenhuisen had reiterated his earlier calls for the lockdown to be lifted completely and with immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Friday, Steenhuisen explained that millions of South Africans are running the risk of losing their income due to the restrictions:

“Millions of livelihoods are in peril as thousands of businesses cannot plan for the immediate future, and every day more and more of them are taking the heart-breaking decision to close their doors."

With so much at stake, the opposition leader wondered how SA's president was so silent on the subject:

“As far as making critical and urgent decisions right now to save our economy, which is fast collapsing thanks to a self-inflicted lockdown crisis, he is nowhere to be seen."

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News