With the Covid-19 lockdown period nearing its halfway point, government’s coordinating structure for the emergency has called on the public to respect the regulations, while also refraining from trying to enforce them on others.
Speaking on behalf of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS), Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo called for ‘greater adherence’ after the ‘continuous non-adherence to these regulations by certain individuals’.
While praising most of South Africa’s people for their cooperation, Brigadier Naidoo referred to an instance in which taxi operators had interfered with vehicles transporting essential workers to work. He also noted that crowds had stormed shops in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, demanding that management furnish staff with gloves and masks.
‘We call upon civilians to adhere to the regulations and not attempt to enforce the lockdown regulations on their own, as citizens are required to remain in the confines of their own homes during this period and by not doing so will themselves be breaking the law,’ Brigadier Naidoo said.
The efficacy of the lockdown regulations has been a point of contention. There have been claims that it has been largely ignored in some areas – partly as a result of the need to try and make a living.
The Economic Freedom Fighters have pledged to enforce company closures, despite having no legal mandate to do so.
Some journalists have also taken to shaming people allegedly contravening the lockdown on social media. This has raised questions about the role of the media as an observer and mediator of news, and whether it is appropriate for it to function as an enforcer of public policy.