Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge urges residents to adhere to the level three restrictions.

Since the drop to lockdown level four, ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge has been trying to keep up with extremely fast changing regulations and legislation in an effort to correctly guide citizens with a never-ending line of questions.

“This necessitates daily communication with both enforcement and legislative structures to ensure clarity for all parties. We are extremely fortunate that our local law enforcement structures remain committed, despite long working hours, sleep and family deprivation, possible exposure to contaminated individuals and public critique.

“Our office hasn’t taken any breaks and we have been busier than usual, with the phone either ringing or receiving messages, so in addition to regular virtual meetings or taking queries on continued service delivery issues, we have strongly focused on assisting with food relief not only locally, but also in the surrounding communities where the need is really far worse. ”

Beetge said the biggest headache to date has been that from the moment the level dropped from five to four, it was like people automatically assumed the threat was gone, everything was back to normal, and the law is applicable to everyone else except themselves.

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“We cannot choose which laws we wish to abide to and which we want to ignore, and that puts a strain on enforcement, which is already under immense pressure.

“With us all being in the same boat, there is certainly empathy for everyone’s situation, but definitely no sympathy where people blatantly disregard the law in their own interest, without consideration for the safety of others.”

Asked what problems he is anticipating in level three, Beetge said chaos and a total disregard for whatever regulations still exist from 1 June. “Desperation and food scarcity could see a serious upswing in crime, as the have nots will be able to move more freely between the have mores. People will instinctively tend to more vigorously protect, which could in turn lead to increased violence in the quest to possess.”

He also foresees an increase in fraudulent trading, disregard for enforcement structures, increased protest actions and a steep upswing in infections.

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“Instead of focussing on how best to protect ourselves, despite the lifting of regulations (while the virus is still in its mere infancy stages in South Africa and with no known cure on the horizon), people seem more focussed on how to beat the regulations, so that they are able to justify movement and renewed social interaction. Economically we have no choice, but to restart our lives and we have to adapt to survive as a species.”

He lists fake news and the spreading of it as the most frustrating occurrence since lockdown started. “This is the result of people spreading unsubstantiated information; people who themselves don’t understand or misinterpret regulations, giving incorrect advise to the point of challenging the correct; people attempting to convince that the regulations are incorrect, unjust and incorrectly understood by the legislator, attorneys, politicians, law enforcement and everyone except themselves; people bickering about trivial matters; and those who just cannot keep out of others’ business.”

The food drive programme that Beetge is involved in, that incorporates the majority of local churches as well as some NGOs, started well, but funding started dwindling to virtually no new monetary contributions after week four.

“This could possibly be attributed to various factors that include individuals and businesses running short of funding, different entities competing for the same funders, rumoured misappropriation of funds by entities or individuals and certainly not least, government’s insistence that all aid be channelled via its social development programme.

“It’s absolutely mind boggling that government seeks to centralise and regulate humanitarian aid to people who are unable to feed themselves due to the regulations. Even with the uncertainty of what the future may hold, we will continue with our local efforts, despite the needs that far exceed the contributions.”

Beetge said if the city was more forthcoming with information, it would help to make his job easier during lockdown. “Residents often turn to public representatives who they perceive to have the answers to all questions at their fingertips. Far be that from the truth, as it’s presently quite a challenge knowing who is at work and who is not, what is being planned and what they will come up with next, while even senior officials remain unresponsive.

It’s like a veil of secrecy has been pulled over municipal activities, yet with the mayor seemingly receiving instructions on how the city has to be run. Even so, a daily morning bulletin would go a long way to keep people informed.

“The world was never prepared for this, so there are no guidelines or set rules. Not one country hasn’t endured criticism from its citizens for decisions taken or lack thereof. Now is not the time to act only in your better interest, but rather in the best interest of all mankind.”

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