Police Minister Bheki Cele addressed the media in Edendale on Monday during a visit to KwaZulu-Natal, where he hinted at the move to level 3.
Cele had reportedly said that “The committee is discussing the date for Level 3. We hope we can discuss and get advice from experts. But as for when we will put it in place? I do not have an answer for that, but time will tell. I cannot tell you right now.”
Cele said that the committee was still getting advice from experts on moving the country from level 4 to level 3 of the lockdown.
Under level 3 of the lockdown, the sale of liquor, which is banned under levels 5 and 4, would be permitted within restricted hours.
Commenting on the surge of the illicit cigarette trade in SA since the lockdown commenced, Cele said that illicit trading had always been around, but has significantly increased during this lockdown period.
Saying that the government could not be pushed by crime to change its policies.
“What we can’t do as a government, just because people are committing a crime of the illicit trading, [is to] open it for that reason.”
According to the minister, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape remained a cause for concern.
