DA lays criminal charges against KZN Premier
The legal action was followed by a gathering called by Zikalala at Clairwood Hospital on Monday morning, 27 April.
DA MP, Dianne Kohler-Barnard has laid criminal charges, at Montclair Police station, against KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala for violating Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
This legal action was followed by a gathering called by Zikalala at Clairwood Hospital on Monday morning, 27 April. “He called a rally for essential workers, pulling them from the hospital wards where they were doing their vital work. According to the Disaster Management Act regulations, no gathering at all may be held, unless it is a funeral,” she said.
Kohler-Barnard shared that when she arrived at Montclair Police Station with her colleague from the eThekwini Health Committee, ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter, the officer on duty at the station found himself in a very awkward position.
“His superiors were phoned when he heard it involved the Premier and they were told there was no case. It was claimed they had ensured social distancing. I know my rights and repeatedly called for the paperwork, which duly arrived,” she said and further shared the affidavit on social media after pressing the charges.
Section 11 (B) ii of the National Disaster regulations state that any gathering other than a funeral is illegal. “I have spent countless hours assisting people in KZN arrested on fabricated charges such as buying a loaf of bread after the curfew. There is no curfew. Over and over citizens have found themselves behind bars for fabricated reasons. All I ask is that the Premier is treated like any other citizen. The only difference is that this charge is not fabricated. We’re living in jail in our homes and yet he feels that he has the right to hold a public gathering. He may not,” said Kohler-Barnard.
Zikalala’s spokesperson Lennox Mabaso could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.
https://www.facebook.com/dianne.kohlerbarnard/posts/3062706150460308
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