DA could head to court over cooked food ban
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed the decision to formally ban the sale of cooked food during the national lockdown.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma gazetted the new set of regulations on Monday afternoon amid much debate.
The DA's Dean Macpherson says the party was set to approach the North Gauteng High Court ahead of the gazetting of the regulations.
"Today's amendment now makes what was illegal, legal and is short-sighted and mean spirited, especially for frontline health-care workers, members of the security services, essential services workers and transport workers like truck drivers who rely on cooked food due to the work they are doing.”
Macpherson says the new regulations will also have devastating consequences for the elderly, who cannot food due to their frailty.
"This move by the government is nothing other than an insensitive attempt to frustrate health-care workers, members of the security services and elders to be able to purchase cooked food due to various circumstances.”
The DA has written to Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel asking him to provide the party with the reasons for the ban.
Macpherson says the minister has until midday on Tuesday to provide an response.
"We will then be able to decide on our next course of action.”
ALSO READ
Woman in court for murder of Orange Farm boy (5)
Pontsho Mohlankana made a brief appearance in the Vereeniging Regional Court on Monday on a charge of murder. The man previously believed to be her accomplice has not been charged due to a lack of evidence. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng Phindi Mjonondwane says Mohlanka will be back in court on Wednesday for a formal bail application.