Here we go! Dlamini-Zuma ‘preparing to END State of Disaster’

If Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is ready to call time on the State of Disaster regulations, then South Africa must surely be on the brink of scrapping lockdown laws for good – and it seems a new phase of the COVID era is approaching.
Dlamini-Zuma to call time on the State of Disaster?
The COGTA Minister, who is also head of the National Coronavirus Command Council, has been at the forefront of South Africa’s pandemic response. Dlamini-Zuma has been responsible for the implementation of both tobacco and alcohol bans, often occupying the role of ‘pantomime villain’ over the past two years.
However, it seems that the senior ANC representative may be ready to relinquish her ‘lockdown powers’ for good. She told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday that her department has now engaged other government ministries, in order to decide if the State of Disaster rules can be terminated.
State of Disaster ‘may be in its final days’
According to Dlamini-Zuma, departments have until the end of the day to respond to COGTA’s request, before Cabinet makes a final decision on the matter. The wheels will move fairly quickly on this one…

“The COGTA Department has written to all departments to establish whether they are ready to end the National State of Disaster. All inputs must be made by today – and a decision will be taken from there by Cabinet.”
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Dlamini-Zuma gives options to Cabinet colleagues

Leading medics, a long list of politicians, and even government officials have been warming to the idea of all restrictions being dropped indefinitely, after the Omicron variant only caused mild disruption in SA.
It was discovered during the fourth wave that South Africa has a high level of immunity against the virus, and this recent resurgence of COVID-19 only helped strengthen that wall of protection – with a smaller proportion of collateral damage. On that basis, ending the State of Disaster within the coming days certainly has its merits.