Court dismisses Maimane’s bid to keep schools shut

Mmusi Maimane in court

The former DA leader approached the court arguing that schools were not yet ready to receive learners. File photo: African News Agency (ANA).

The Gauteng High Court has dismissed Mmusi Maimane’s application for schools to remain closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Maimane and his movement, One South Africa, also saw their application dismissed to overturn the decision by the government to move from level 5 to level 3 of the lockdown regulations.

The former DA leader approached the court arguing that schools were not yet ready to receive learners, as many were still battling poor infrastructure and sanitation, among other problems.

According to our sister publication IOL, Judge President Dunsten Mlambo held that it cannot be said that the government’s decision to move from level 4 to level 3 was unreasonable or an irrational choice. 

The court added that there was always an option for the government to move to a higher alert level where this may be indicated.

They said the easing from level 4 to level 3 was necessary to safeguard against a potential economic catastrophe. Government was guided by expert advice.

Advocate Dali Mpofu, acting for the applicants, argued the government was simply not ready to ease the regulations in light of the soaring number of Covid-19 infections. 

He said that Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has admitted that, according to the World Health Organization, South Africa did not qualify to move to level 3.

“We are disappointed in the outcome but will continue to advocate for safer schools as the (infection) numbers are rising everyday.

“Our WhatsApp hotline is still open for those who want to share info with us,” said Maimane’s One South Africa Movement in an earlier tweet.