Government’s sure hand followed by too many false steps

More than three weeks into the government-imposed lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, South Africans will be looking back on this period with mixed feelings. And they will have plenty of questions as we move into what many hope will be the last stage of a total lockdown. We have been encouraged by the speed at which the government leapt into action, introducing one of the strictest lockdown regimes in the world. We were told it was good for us, and we accepted that. We are proud that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his team have been praised for their grasp of the enormity of the problems facing SA in this period. They seem aligned with the prevailing scientific analysis of the Covid-19 problem, which is a welcome change from the era of former president Thabo Mbeki, whose late-night surfing on the internet put him at odds with the medical community and led to thousands of needless deaths.

But enough praise now, because life moves on and resting on one’s laurels has to be resisted. South Africans are looking on with growing dismay at the government’s actions, or lack of them, as the novelty of lockdown wears thin and hard questions surface.

We’ve had quite enough of police minister Bheki Cele barking orders at the public; in short, we’re getting a bit tired of the iron fist. A bit tired of cops beating up people trying to buy a cigarette, or getting a bit of fresh air. This was always going to be the easy part. But now for the more nuanced, difficult and complex chapter of the lockdown saga.

In common with other societies, South Africans may be forgiven for thinking they were scared into thinking a catastrophe of biblical proportions was about to befall us, and this may still materialise. For now, though, the number of deaths have fallen short of what the scientific models predicted.

Leaving aside the enforced teetotalling and nonsmoking the regulations have enforced, South Africans not employed in the formal sector and who live in overcrowded conditions in townships and informal settlements are understandably anxious about their futures and putting bread on the table for their families.

They will be wondering what has become of the second phase of the lockdown, namely the assistance they were promised while they can’t go to work. And it is here that the government’s efforts are falling drastically short. Once again we are observing a government that seems incapable of executing complex tasks, although how difficult is it to hand out a food parcel? Private charities, church groups and generous South Africans have taken up a lot of the slack caused by the government’s inaction. But the hand that gives appears conspicuously less able, or exercised, than the hand that wields the pen to draw up more regulations or the hand that holds the baton or the rifle.

It is not only with food parcels that the government is failing. Informal food traders have been given permission to trade, but only when they have a permit, which appears to impose unnecessary red tape on a simple process. Other businesses will be opened gradually, but the distinction between essential and nonessential escapes most of us.

The hoops one has to jump through to get a food parcel from the South African Social Security Agency are breathtaking. Nor will people take much comfort from reports of ANC-controlled entities using food parcels to bribe supporters and punish adversaries.

On the macro level, too, the government’s much-awaited plan to revive the economy appears to have stalled, but maybe we will see some progress on that front this week.

The government must be aware that patience is not infinite. The lockdown was designed to create a window to allow the government to put in place measures to cope with Covid-19 in such a way that it does not overwhelm our fragile health system.

The government’s actions have created a reservoir of goodwill. But its actions are being closely watched now. Our leaders dare not fail at this crucial stage in the war to roll back Covid-19, and return to normality. Or whatever version of a “new normal” awaits us.

The government must be aware that patience is not infinite