The Western Cape High Court has reserved judgement in the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) application to have the southern Cape’s beaches reopened.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Garden Route’s beaches will be closed for the festive season as the region is considered a hotspot for COVID-19 infection. The DA, however, has taken the matter to court as the party believes these restrictions will “kill” the tourism sector and lead to job losses.
“The closure of beaches goes against the available scientific advice from medical experts and is thus irrational. Furthermore, the closure of beaches along the Garden Route has had a devastating impact on the region’s tourism economy which is the lifeblood of many local municipalities,” the DA said in a statement.
“As part of our case, the DA also argued to have the imposition of irrational beach operating hours of between 09:00 and 18:00 overruled. Again, this restriction goes against all medical and scientific advice, and is an irrational and unnecessary policing of the freedom of movement.”
Speaking to SABC News Western Cape, DA spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said that the party is confident that the judgement will be handed down soon.