Another court rules against reopening of Eastern Cape, Garden Route beaches
Residents and businesses in the Garden Route district have suffered another blow after a second court ruled against the reopening of beaches in the area.
The High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday dismissed an application by AfriForum and a small group of local businesses to declare the closure of beaches as unconstitutional.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to close some beaches during the festive season to manage the potential outbreak of Covid-19 infections is among the more contentious regulations.
All Eastern Cape beaches and the Garden Route District beaches in the Western Cape will remain closed until early January.
Lawyer Daniël Eloff says the lobby group is disappointed with the outcome.
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"AfriForum's legal team is of the opinion that although the urgent application did not succeed, it was important to highlight the disastrous effects the closure of beaches will have on businesses.
"It is also important to take note that the court's judgement does not excuse the government's action, but adjudged that the government's decision to close beaches was indeed valid."
AfriForum's Monique Taute believes it's a major blow to the local economies.
"These businesses will most likely now suffer immense and in most cases irreparable damage due to the fact that most holidaymakers cancelled their vacation plans because the beaches are closed.
"Although AfriForum is disappointed with the outcome of the case, the organisation would like to encourage the public to still visit their favourite holiday destinations and to support the local businesses to lighten the financial burden in these coastal towns," says Taute.
On Tuesday the Western Cape High Court also dismissed an application by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to reopen beaches along the Garden Route.
