Lockdown Files & Minister in Contempt of Court

Sakeliga has filed a court application at the High Court in Pretoria to have the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) found guilty of contempt of court.

The contempt relates to a failure to disclose clandestine records of decision-making regarding the widespread Covid regulations of 2020, as per a court order Sakeliga obtained in November 2022.

While the COGTA Minister has handed over certain records related to the PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information Act) request since the court order in favour of Sakeliga in November 2022, the minister has not fully complied.

Many critical records remain outstanding, and for some of the monthly decisions to extend the state of disaster in 2020, no records have been provided at all.

The contempt proceedings aim to conclude the matter and provide clarity on the deliberative and decision-making processes before the implementation of harmful and irrational policies that led to millions of job losses, business closures, and destruction of capital.