The party’s call comes after Ramaphosa announced further easing of Covid-19 regulations, moving the country to lockdown level one.

DA leader John Steenhuisen says the lockdown restrictions are hurting the economy.

“Only the most callously uncaring leaders would continue to force job-destroying restrictions on law-abiding people while breaking those rules themselves, as the ANC did yet again in its manifesto launch last week where there was not even an attempt at mask-wearing, social distancing or limiting the gathering to 500.

“This is hypocrisy of the worst order. All those who broke the law should be prosecuted like all the ordinary people who have been charged for lockdown violations in the past 18 months.

“We also repeat our call for an end to the State of Disaster, which is enabling corruption by allowing government departments to bypass stricter financial control measures.”

He believes the lockdown has run its course.

“There is no justification for continuing the lockdown and the state of disaster. Covid cases are decreasing across all nine provinces, every adult has by now had ample opportunity to get vaccinated, and people are well aware of the precautions they need to take to manage the risks they face.

“South Africa’s economy will not recover while the threat of irrational restrictions imposed with no notice at all continues to hang over people.”

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