The Great Brak Business Forum (GBBF) and AfriForum have joined forces to take on Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister, over the regulations pertaining to beaches in South Africa. The group hopes to overturn government’s decision to close all beaches in the wake of a new variant of COVID-19 spreading rapidly through the country. This is another challenge to the government’s COVID-19 regulations and is expected to be heard in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday. The Great Brak Business Forum claims they were adversely affected by the lockdown regulations and the December season was their only hope to restore the economy in the district after months of lockdown.

“It is unconstitutional and discriminatory to close certain beaches given the enormous economic impact that it will have on especially coastal towns that have been suffering the whole year due to the lockdown regulations.”

“The December holiday is an opportunity to recover their economies to an extent and the closing of the beaches will lead to immense, irreparable damage for the businesspeople of these towns,” said Monique Taute, AfriForum’s head of campaigns in a statement.

She added: “To visit the beach is a form of recreation that takes place outdoors and people are exposed to the sun that contributes to a healthier immune system. The alternative is that people will turn to places like shopping centres and restaurants that hold a much higher risk of spreading the virus.”

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is hopeful it would get a judgment in its bid to reopen Garden Route Beaches. The loss of income would devastate the already crippled tourism trade in the area. The High Court heard the application on Monday but judgement has been reserved.