Residents who have been unable to move or relocate during the lockdown will finally be able to do so as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has issued and gazetted a set of amendments of the directions to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.
These set of Directions are called the “Directions on the once-off movement of persons and the transportation of goods for purposes of relocation”. This will allow for once off movement commencing on May 7, 2020 and ending June 7, 2020.
The directions will allow individuals and business to move premises within, and across provincial, metropolitan or district boundaries during the period of Alert level 4.
Citizens who were not able to do so due to the lockdown, will be allowed to move houses with goods. This includes new lease agreements which were entered into before or during the lockdown period; or in instances where the property transfer occurred before the lockdown period. These directions are limited to a change in place of residence, including the transport of goods to a new place of residence, within the Republic.
To take advantage of this period allowing movement, residents will be required to obtain a permit from the station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her. Residents must also have have in his or her possession the relevant lease agreement indicating the date of expiry of the old lease and the date of commencement of the new lease, or the transfer documents attesting to the change in place of residence or change of ownership of property. All persons who are part of the household and taking part in the move will need to be indicated as well.
Movement, along with goods for the purpose of relocation, will be allowed across the provincial, metropolitan or district boundaries.
All removals must be performed in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations and the relevant Directions issued by the Minister of Transport.
A copy of the gazetted directions can be accessed with the following link: https://bit.ly/3ceioip
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