Cabinet has put afoot plans to end the National State of Disaster as early as next week.
However, in an effort to allow for a seamless transition, sections of the National Disaster Act would remain in place for 30 days or longer.
South Africa has been in a National State of Disaster since March 2020 when the country recorded its first case of COVID-19.
The development was announced on Tuesday by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, following a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
In transitioning, the Minister said the government could not be "reckless and abrupt".
Addressing the media, she announced the gazetting the publishing of some regulations that should remain, in accordance with Section 27 of the Disaster Management Act, which provides for the management of post-disaster management and rehabilitation.
The gazette proposes that when the National State of Disaster ends, some regulations should remain for not more than 30 days after that.
"So we publish these regulations for comments for 48 hours starting today and then we'll analyse what they say.
Then the President will announce the end of the National State of Disaster, which will be before the 15th, depending on the comments.
Read the Gazette here:
Meanwhile, Afriforum said it would continue with its court case if the government does not lift the state of disaster.
AfriForum will also oppose the proposed amendment to the Health Act.
Campaign Manager Jacques Broodryk says the amendment to the health legislation is just another attempt by the government to retain the power gained through the introduction of draconian regulations over the past two years.
He says, it is worrying that the removal of the state of disaster will not put an end to the regulations that accompanied the state of disaster as the published regulation will still be valid for 30 days after the Sate of Disaster has been lifted.
