Photo: GCIS
Photo: GCIS
COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has claimed victory in her bid to appeal a judgment that invalidated many facets of the lockdown regulations. Her response will be taken into account by the Pretoria High Court, although she hasn’t had things all her own way this week.
Judge Norman Davis, although he felt it was fair for Dlamini-Zuma to defend the lockdown laws in court, would not budge on a number of issues that were raised in June’s initial verdict. He stated that the government now has 10 business days – up until Tuesday 14 July – to alter some of their restrictions.
“Certain regulations still need reviewing. In respect of these last-mentioned regulations, leave to appeal will be refused and the remaining ten business days left from the original order again commence running.”
Judge Norman Davis on Dlamini-Zuma’s right to appeal
From last month’s judgment, the problem areas are believed to include:
However, the ruling from Davis allows Dlamini-Zuma the right to keep many guidelines the way they have always been. The minister has been granted permission to appeal the verdict when it comes to defending policies on education, evictions, the closure of nightclubs and gyms, and the tobacco ban to name a few.
The prohibition on cigarettes was left out of the first verdict, as it was due in court one week later. However, the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association have since lost their case, leaving smokers in limbo. This particular matter will not return to court until the first week of August.