BREAKING NEWS: Level 3 and Level 4 regulations declared unconstitutional
JOHANNESBURG – The COVID-19 lockdown alert levels 3 and 4 have been declared invalid and unconstitutional. The High Court in Pretoria has handed down this judgment.
The court, however, suspended the declaration of invalidity for a period of 14 days.
Government has noted the decision and says the level 3 regulations remain in operation for now.
The court has directed Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to amend and republish the regulations.
It says the regulations should guarantee the rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Liberty Fighters Network had taken government to court, arguing the rules are unconstitutional.
Cabinet says it’ll make a statement once it’s fully studied the judgment.
South Africa officially moved to level 3 lockdown on Monday, 1 June with the government introducing a host of new regulations around what citizens can and cannot do.
Most of these regulations relate to the relaxation of the current lockdown rules, with more than eight million people now expected to return to work.
Government has also indicated that it will step back from regulating individual sectors, and has placed an emphasis on individual responsibility.