DA welcomes extended TERS, calls for strong action to end violent protests

DA leader John Steenhuisen says the party also welcome the relaxing of the regulations that will now allow restaurants to operate at half-capacity.

However, he says it should have been accompanied by an end to the alcohol ban.

“What was missing was stronger action to curb the violence and looting that is sweeping across the country. As large parts of South Africa go up in flames as the bitter factional battle in the ANC spills onto our streets, South Africans are left with one burning question: Where has our leadership been until now?

“This is a time when our president should be at the forefront of the efforts to restore calm. It is also a time when all the country’s policing and intelligence resources should be deployed to snuff out these criminal activities at the source. These actions are clearly being orchestrated and encouraged, and are not simply spontaneous protests. So where are our Crime Intelligence and our State Security Agency? What have they been doing since this violence erupted?”

Steenhuisen says if Ramaphosa expects everyone to comply with the regulations, he needs to uphold his end of the bargain.

“This means, ensuring that those fanning the flames of this country-wide unrest are immediately arrested and charged. Ensuring that SAPS applies the lockdown regulations everywhere, and not only on soft targets.

“Offering meaningful financial assistance to businesses affected by ongoing lockdowns by immediately rolling out the TERS extension. Sharing the responsibility for our country’s vaccination effort with the private sector and capable provincial governments, so that we can open everything up as soon as possible.”

Listen to John Steenhuisen below: 

ALSO READ