More than 160 000 people had already sent submissions on controversial draft health regulations through the Dear South Africa website by last night, said Rob Hutchinson, managing director of the public participation platform during a Zoom meeting.
He told the meeting last night that the system, which at the time he spoke registered about 98 000 comments received so far, was battling to cope with the flood of submissions. He urged people to keep on sending their comments and reassured them that no submissions will be lost and that they are addressing the technical challenge.
The online meeting, billed as a legislative indaba for the Body of Christ also heard that other platforms which have been created in response to the draconian health regulations which the government wants to introduce to replace the 2-year-old state of disaster, are also being technically challenged as a result of citizens responding to calls to speak up for their freedom and the freedom of future generations.
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Objections to the draft regulations are detailed on the Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) website. “They require no Parliamentary oversight, do not require the Minister to give reasons for any decisions, and effectively grant Government the same extraordinary executive powers they have had under the State of National Disaster – INDEFINITELY,” says FOR SA.
During last night’s indaba which was chaired by attorney and Christian marketplace leader Dr Pearl Kupe, 600 000 was mentioned as a minimum target for the total of public submissions to be achieved by the closing date for comment on April 15. Several speakers suggested that a total of more than a million submissions is achievable and would provide a strong foundation for a legal challenge, should government attempt to push the regulations through.
What is certain is that a new record in public participation is going to be set, well before the April 15 cut-off date. The current record stands at around 200 000 submissions and was achieved in June last year when SA pushed back against the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Discrimination Amendment Bill — commonly known as the PEPUDA Amendment Bill.
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The 160 000 already submitted on one platform by last night plus through other platforms which are being vigorously promoted by their authors suggests that last year’s record may already have been surpassed.
In reply to a question about how the many people in rural areas without access to internet could have a say on the regulation, Michael Swain, executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) who was one of four panellists at the webinar, said that one of the associations that FOR SA represents which has a massive indigenous church constituency is taking physical submission forms to people in villages and will deliver completed forms to the Department of Health.
The other panellists in last night’s meeting were Hutchinson, Catherine Raphaely founder of the Red List and ACDP president Rev Kenneth Meshoe. 500 people — Zoom’s maximum limit for the meeting — attended the indaba.
Swain said that the overreaching health regulations are being pushed by government at a time when the pandemic is effectively over and the state already has the Disaster Management Act in place which enables it to implement a state of disaster if necessary.
He said a claim that many people have seen on social media that repetitive messages will be counted as one message is false. Every single submission counts, he said.
Hutchinson concurred that every comment counts. If there are a million submissions the law requires government to acknowledge and consider every comment and to provide proof that it has done so, he said.
He said people are entitled to make more than one comment. He encouraged citizens to study the facts about the regulations which are available online and to make thoughtful and constructive comments in their own words. You can read more about the draft regulations and make your submission at the following link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/health-act-amendment/
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I totally reject bid to extend disaster rule through health regulations.
I also reject bid to extend disaster rule through health regulations!
We are in total opposition to the downgrading of our health policies, the theft of our human rights and the guise of removing the state of disaster by altering laws under the health regulations! In particular the ridiculous indoor mask mandate when it obviously and clearly does nothing to stop the spread of, for instance, Corona and other disease. There have been well over 50 published studies showing how bad masks are, even though it should be blatantly obvious knowledge that a warm, moist cloth with a lack of fresh air is the perfect breeding ground for an infinite amount of bacteria, germs and the like. We consider the proposals a massive attack on our human rights a practically an act of war against freedom. I speak collaboratively as a family, a community and as what I believe is the vast majority of true South Africans.
Please take wise heed to our heels being dug deep into the ground on this matter.
I think this new law will be the total destruction of South Africa not to mention many people suffering already. Our economy will be down the drain.
NO TO GOVERNMENT : I totally reject bid to extend disaster rule through health regulations
These amendments to our health laws are the worst example of government in rhe history of pur nation. They infringe on the God-given rights of every citizen which are guaranteed in our constitution as well as rhe Bill of Rights.
I do not accept the new bid to extend disaster rule through health regulations.
These laws and regulations can be seen as a replacement for the State of Disaster just to keep Christians and all beliefs from attending their places of worship and is an abomination to God.
I strongly stand firm in stating that God is not asleep and will I and many others NOT adhere to them. I and many others need our places of worship OPEN.
I bind the disgusting evil that is trying to stop us from attending our places of worship in Jesus Name.
Who ever the Son sets free is free indeed. I got freedom of choice to serve God even before I was born, more than 2000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross. All the law and its code was nailed with Him on the cross. I am the redeemed of Christ Jesus. No one can stand before me. I have the right to serve Him the way I want to. I will preach Christ and pray in His name through thick and thin. No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper.
Geen mens mag maak asof hy/sy God is in enige wetgewing al is hy/sy ‘n minister. God is in beheer vanaf die skepping en onderhou dit tot vandag en geen mens mag maak wat hy wil nie. Ook nie die gesondheidswrtgewing wat die kwade en nie die goeie vir die volk in die oog het. Dus weg met hierdie drakoniese wetgewing.
I totally reject the amendments that government is trying to implement on us the South African citizens, it’s taking away our God given rights & freedom.
This is a dreadful travesty of justice and I oppose vehemently what is intentionally being push thru as an Amendment to our health rules.
I strongly disagree with draft legislation as it’s totally against our constitution
I TOTALLY DISAGREE with the Health Legislation Draft, it DENIES and INFRINGES our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS… I do not support it in ANY way. This is not to control the virus but to control people.
I also reject the proposal of this regulation because it infringes on our right to freedom of religion. Depriving people the right to gather together for their worship which is the part of their health physically and emotionally.
I TOTALLY DISAGREE with the Health Legislation Draft, it DENIES and INFRINGES our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS… I do not support it in ANY way.
I reject this Health Act Amendment that the government is proposing to implement for the South African citizens
Defnitely taking away our rights and Freedoms..The moment you don’t put God 1st..the Wheels come off !God Fearing people are paying their Taxes..But their Voice is not heard..very sad indeed..ALso we have seen and heard ..due to family and friends what has happened in the rest of the World..not the Media..People are doing their own research..not just following Blindly..tnx
I am against the proposal to amend health and safety regulations its absolutely shocking and disgusting and infringes on my human rights
It’s obvious that govt has gone with the option of bowing down to the god of this world.
No to the goverment having a final say about my or any other person’s llfe.
Indeed! All these mandates of 1.5 meters (more than 30 centimeters shy of the 6 feet approximation- hence 6 by 6 by 6…. recurring) and wearing masks are satanic rituals, are used to summon demon spirits to introduce the mark of the beast through the vaccines. The vaccines/serums in themselves are “masking”(the irony ) something that will create an affiliation within your body that will eventually be visible externally, if one CONTINUES to go along with this evil practice. It is common satanic/pagan cult practices now being introduced into the law, as there is no scientific merit or validity in these protocols to stop the phony disease. The government leaders have already sold their souls and made pledges to serve the beast (as powered by Satan)! I therefore I REJECT and more so REBUKE the proposed amendment of the health act in the name of Jesus Christ.
I reject these Health Act Amendments that the ANC Government is proposing to implement on all South Africans.
I am against the proposal to amend health and safety regulations its absolutely shocking and disgusting and infringes on my human rights
I TOTALLY DISAGREE with the Health Legislation Draft, it DENIES and INFRINGES our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS… I do not support it in ANY way.
I TOTALLY DISAGREE with the Health Legislation Draft, it DENIES and INFRINGES our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS… I do not support it in ANY way.
I reject the proposal of this regulation because it infringes on our right to freedom of religion and constitutional rights to bodily integrity.
I reject the amendment of the Health Act, it is true this is targeted at the Worship of God and to close the churches down. There departments that have been waiting for their acts to be amended but has not happened, justice for one, but see how quick this one is to be implemented. Our government is seriously possessed by the devil.
I strongly disagree with draft legislation as it’s totally against our constitution
strongly disagree with draft legislation as it’s totally against our constitution
Strongly disagree with draft legislation as it’s totally against our constitution
This is draconian, to say the least, and is being driven by an anti – God, communistic agenda. Thank God RSA is finally waking up. We must make a difference at the polls during the general elections.
This is absolutely ridiculous how the inner core government members are clinging on to their power over the people of South Africa! The rest of the world is moving on – not here, no! I am totally against the lengthening of the disaster management for another month!
State of Disaster ??? Where ??? This government is in a state of disaster !!! This new bill, is to give ” Them ” the power they want… To keep us away from our churches … NO to this new BONDAGE REGULATIONS BILL !!! (of NO RIGHTS FOR THE TAX PAYING CITIZEN ) Two years was to much to be good, Small business , our whole economy, suffers. The big man at the top ” THEY ” are in no way interested in US, the taxpayer!!!
This looks like a push towards totalitarian government. No oversight or input from Parliament or Public will be allowed in decision making.
Can not be allowed under our Constitution
I reject proposed amendment of health act as it goes against the constitution of South Africa
I reject proposed amendment of health act as it goes against the constitution of south africa
I disagree with the health amendments we has humans on this earth in SA have the rights to protect our rights.
We will stand against every amendment that it will never ever come to pass regarding our health
Unfortunately our trust in the government has been broken due to very bad corruption on virtually every level. How do we know how they are going to handle even more power? Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I Totally Reject this Draft Legislation! People were born from GOD, no government has the Rifht to deny us our Legal Freedom.
I absolutely reject everything about your tiran attitude towards everybody, …trying to take away our God Given Right for Humanity….. YOU ARE NOT YHWH ELOHIM, OUR HEAVENLY CREATOR, TO HAVE A SAY THAT IS NOT YOUR PLACE OR RIGHT OVER HUMANITY!!!!! You have absolutely NO RIGHT to do this to ANYONE WHOsoever, WHEREsoever, WHENsoever or for WHATsoever. ….for the sake of greed and money!!!!!!……. It stays murder in the 1st degree, you will NOT be able to brush this away, EVER!!,,because GOD’S LAWS is STILL going to get you when you least expect it!!!!!
I totally and utterly disagree with these amendments of the health act. As per everything else it is yet another money making scheme. Keeping all these rules and regulations and pharmaceutical companies in the pound seat allows their pockets to be further lined whilst the country literally falls apart with our most basic needs not being met!
Being a citizen of the country.
The intended health legislation draft infringes on our constitutional rights. No NO NO
To the intended bill. Government is untrustworthy in every aspect of governance.
I’m TOTALLY against this ….NO TO THIS BONDAGE…
I very strongly object to this.
Wearing of masks, social distancing, businesses having to close, full attendance at church not allowed & being told people not injected cannot fully participate in the economy.
Do not tell us how we must live our lives or what medical treatments we must have. Everything about this is wrong.
Govt was not elected to tell us whqat we can or cannot do regarding our health.
The pcr tests do not give accurate readings. Scrap them. Allow cheap and effective treatments that you know work.
This proposed amendment must be scrapped immediately South Africans reject it in its totality.
I totally disagree with the draft so called health legislation, as it is infringes our constitutional rights!
Totally unacceptable, 1st sign of a dictorial regime.
I disagree with the proposed amendment. There is no pandemic! Give us back our freedom. We have reached herd immunity.
Let us go to worship the Lord without restrictions
I reject changes we are not a comunist country we have free will to give God praise with no restrictions
I do not agree with the amendments to the health bill and am TOTALLY AGAINST the proposal. The said amendment would strip
all constitutional rights of every South African and deny our citizens of all freedoms and the right to freedom of worship of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
“My people perish because of lack of knowledge”, says one of the prophets of Old, is actually still relevant today…….I hope and pray that “Alef” ( א’) who in essence is YHVH, burns the ideas and intentions of this “vile” draft beyond the “parameters of chronological existence”!!!!!
I am not in support of this evil draft !!! My body my choice!!!
I TOTALLY DISAGREE with the Health Legislation Draft, it DENIES and INFRINGES our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS…
I AM a CITIZEN of the Republic of SOUTH AFRICA…
I totally reject the proposed amendment of health act as it goes against the constitution of SA. They denying the freedom of our Human Rights
They will have to answer to God one day for their evil intentions.
God is mocked.
My apologies
I wrote incorrectly
I said God is mocked
I.meant God is NOT MOCKED
This is obviously an attempt to bi pass the constitution and seems to be the death throes of a party that can’t and won’t stop the dreadful corruption that has brought SA to this level of non functionality but to start tampering with people’s God given rights is extremely stupid and dangerous so I ‘m totally against the plan being suggested it is the result of greedy self centered power hungry incompetents who do not have the welfare of any person in SA in mind
I Agree.
I do not accept the new bid to extend disaster rule through health regulations.
I do not agree for the extension of the disaster management bill
I strongly disagree with a proposed amendment. no pademic, We are free indeed because Jesus sat us free to worship him every where at anytime without restrictions.
I totaly disagree with the amendments to the health bill and am against the proposal. The amendment will strip you of all constitutional rights of every South African and deny us our freedom.
I’m totally opposed to the health department amendment draft bill as it impose the continuous undemocratic n unconstitutional rule of the ANC government to the people of South Africa, that must end now
I reject the bid to extend disaster rule through health regulations.
I am against this draft as it’s against my constitutional rights.
I reject the legislation health draft- it’s a disgrace , and will be an even bigger disaster
Ad a legal SA Citizen, I am against the proposal to amend health and safety regulations its absolutely shocking and disgusting and infringes on my human rights.
…. Kindly remove Mbalula as minister, he cannot think, look at the disaster with ENatis. So many proposal sent to him to solve the issue. Simply stubborn. Same with Beki Cele, do nothing about farm innocent murders.
One positive is the appointment of Lt Gen Sehlahle Masemola as new police commissioner, to be proud of.
Thanks to our president and panel .
I reject the legislation health draft it is blasphemy!!!!
No to the legislation health draft- it’s a disgrace !!!
I reject the legislation health draft- it’s madness!!!
To even think they proposed to amend these health and regulations shows that they have no respect for our rights and freedom. I totally reject the proposed amendments as it violates our constitutional rights and freedom
I totally reject and disagree with the attempt by government to try and bring in these health regulations.