In taking the decision not to impose further restrictions at this stage, we considered the fact that when we encountered previous waves of infection, vaccines were not widely available and far fewer people were vaccinated.
That is no longer the case. Vaccines are available to anyone aged 12 and above, free of charge, at thousands of sites across the country.
We know that they prevent severe disease and hospitalisation.
We also know that the coronavirus will be with us for the long term. We must therefore find ways of managing the pandemic while limiting disruptions to the economy and ensuring continuity.
However, this approach will not be sustainable if we do not increase the vaccination rate, if we do not wear masks, or if we fail to adhere to basic health precautions.
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We are deeply disappointed by the decision of several countries to prohibit travel from a number of Southern African countries following the identification of the Omicron variant.
This is a clear and completely unjustified departure from the commitment that many of these countries made at the meeting of #G20 countries in Rome last month.
They pledged at that meeting to restart international travel in a safe and orderly manner, consistent with the work of relevant international organisations such as the WHO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization and the OECD.
No more than 750 people may gather indoors and no more than 2,000 people may gather outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
No more than 100 people are permitted at a #funeral, and night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.
Firstly, we now know that Omicron has far more mutations than any previous variant. Secondly, we know that Omicron is readily detected by the current COVID-19 tests.
Many people sacrificed their lives in the fight to end apartheid and bring us to the new Constitutional dispensation.
When we dishonour the Constitution, its principles and values, we dishonour them too.
Since state capture is an assault on the democratic process, it is necessary that the process of extricating the State from a position of ‘capture’ is inclusive, democratic and involves the broad range of interests in society.
This is addressed in part by the public nature of this Commission’s work.
But the hard work will begin after it has finalised its hearings and submitted its report.
Finally, I turn to Mr Koko’s allegation that I improperly interfered to procure his dismissal from Eskom in January 2018.
As I detail in my statement to the Commission, Eskom was in a severe crisis at the time.
Its domestic and international lenders were threatening to call on their loans, in part because of concerns about Eskom’s leadership and its reaction to allegations of corruption.
Eskom’s predicament threatened its very existence as a going concern, the country’s sovereign rating and the country’s ability to access much needed lines of credit.
The Commission has asked me to address several other matters, including allegations made by witnesses before the Commission. These are addressed in detail in the statement that I have submitted to the Commission.
There is one particular issue on which I wish to comment now since it has received widespread attention and is easily disposed of.
This relates to allegations made by Mr Brian Molefe and Mr Matshela Koko in relation to the stake that I held in the Optimum Mine prior to my entry into government and my later responsibilities with respect to the Eskom war room.