The Isipingo Business Forum (IBF) has slammed the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for making a "sensational" story earlier this week.
SABC's Vusi Khumalo reported that people in the usually bustling Isiphingo CBD, south of Durban, were going on with "business as usual" despite tight lockdown regulations which have been implemented across the country in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
"They needed a sensational story and they wanted to make it look like business as usual,'' said Junaid Iqbal, who is the chairperson of the Isipingo Business Forum (IBF). In the live TV crossover, people can be seen one of the city's busiest business districts. Khumalo says that he's spoken to an informal trader who said that there's "not much difference" in terms of foot traffic compared to the period before the lockdown was implemented. Iqbal, however, strongly believes that traders are abiding by lockdown regulations, which include social distancing and the implementation of other steps aimed at ensuring that business premises do not become breeding grounds for the Covid-19 infection. "As the Chairperson of the Isipingo Business Forum, I fully understand what the regulations are and I believe all of our members are adhering to lockdown regulations." Iqbal said that the relatively large amount of people coming into the area is due to people finding bargains for necessities rather than to shop for leisure. "Lots of people are coming from surrounding areas to do shopping as they find goods cheap [in Isiphingo]. Some of them stand between 4-5 hours in a line. They aren't there to buy fancy goods; they are their to buy basic necessities." "I really condemn the SABC's story. If people aren't in need, they [will] not stand in a queue for 4-5 hours under the scorching sun, unless they are very hungry." On Thursday, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was accompanied to the area by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Community Safety Bheki Ntuli and Police commissioner Khombinkosi Jula. Iqbal said that the Mayor saw for himself that businesses are complying with lockdown regulations. However, he says there is an issue with informal traders. To date, 418 people have been arrested in the Isiphingo area for contravention of various lockdown regulations since law enforcement efforts intensified. Iqbal added that he would like to see the government embark on an awareness drive to teach people about the lockdown regulations so that people may adhere to the laws. "We will really appreciate if the government comes and explains what is social distancing, why it is important and make awareness and I believe people will adhere to laws."
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AuthorZahid Jadwat is a South African writer, columnist, podcaster and radio show host. Archives
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