Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on Thursday argued against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plans to transition the economy to Level 3 of the national lockdown during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and called for the lockdown to be extended by a further 12 months.

Malema was addressing the media via a virtual media briefing where he said the EFF would only take into account scientifically proven methods for the lockdown.

He pushed back against government’s announcement that schools will open on June 1.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is visiting schools as her department plans to resume classes for grades 7 and 12 from June 1.

The EFF wants government to share the strategies of the departments of Health and Water and Sanitation, as well as planning for reliable public scholar public transport that will ensure social distancing.

On tobacco, Malema said his party supported the ban of cigarettes as argued by scientific reasoning.

“We must support the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on the banning of cigarettes,” said Malema.

He further questioned why Ramaphosa was against opening of night clubs.

He said houses will now be turned into night clubs, adding that the levels of abuse and noise will be high.

On the issue of restaurants, Malema said hygiene was a priority but argued that health inspectors could be hired by municipalities to inspect restaurants.

The EFF also demanded the reopening of Parliament in Pretoria as opposed to Cape Town.

Malema also asked banks not to repossess the cars and houses of workers retrenched during the pandemic.

“The pandemic showed all of us that high density informal settlements are not a permanent solution. This is a time to build new settlement areas, using digital construction technology, closer to places of work. We demand that people access health care anywhere in the country,” he said.

On the issue of churches, Malema asked religious leaders not to open their places of worship is permitted in the Level 3 regulations.

He called for EFF members and supporters not to go to church, saying it was a trap.

“Our people can still pray at home through different platforms. We are calling upon our religious leaders to discourage their members from going to church,” said Malema.

Malema also appealed for the South African government, through the African Union (AU), to play a greater role in the fight against the pandemic.

“The test kits developed in South Africa should be made available to all South Africans. Madagascar’s remedy, if found to be working scientifically, should be made available in all African countries,” he added.   

On the work done by the World Health Organisation, Malema said it should not be “hijacked by global capitalists”.

He went on to commend the Cuban government for helping in the fight against Covid-19.

“We salute the Cuban doctors for their selflessness. The reality is that we all have an obligation to save lives. We are informed by saving lives, not the economy, especially the economy that is serving certain people. If this white economy collapses, let it collapse,” he concluded.