The IFP notes the announcement this evening by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation that the country will move to Lockdown Alert Level 3.
This move to Level 3 was unavoidable under the prevailing circumstances. Many inland provinces have shown a significant increase in the number of infections and with many of our hospitals near-full, the healthcare system is facing capacity constraints.
However, this move to Level 3 also signals that government is simply sleeping at the wheel in terms of the vaccine roll-out programme. Little information has been provided by the Department of Health or the President this evening, as to how government will fast-track the vaccine roll-out programme.
Furthermore, the IFP is calling for an urgent meeting of the National Party Liaison Committee of the IEC, to discuss the implications and subsequent ramifications of President Ramaphosa’s announcement this evening – in so far as the election timeline is concerned.
We fully understand that the upcoming election is not a single event but a process, and Alert Level 3 may have a severe impact on political parties’ ability to fairly contest the Local Government Election.
This announcement by the President tonight further vindicates the IFP’s long-held call and position that the 2021 Local Government Election must be postponed due to health considerations, to next year, May 2022.
The IFP once again urges all South Africans to strictly comply with the regulations as we all try our utmost to stop the spread of Covid-19 and fundamentally disrupt the chain of transmission of the virus.
Our country has come a long way and has showed – with steely resolve and determination – that we can beat the community transmission of Covid-19 if we work together, remain at home and limit our movements to essential needs and seeking essential services only.
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Contact:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa, MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
