AfriForum to Oppose Vaccine Mandates if Implemented by Government

AfriForum says it will oppose vaccine mandates if it is implemented by the government. 

On Sunday during his address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to get vaccinated to reduce the impact of the fourth wave of COVID-19 amid the rapid increase in infections and the emergence of the Omicron variant. 

Ramaphosa said a task team had been set up to investigate mandatory vaccinations.

While keeping the country on  alert level one lockdown, Ramaphosa said they were considering making vaccinations compulsory for certain public spaces and activities.

In a statement, AfriForum’s Ernst Roets says the NGO submitted a letter to Ramaphosa expressing their concerns about the vaccine mandate. 

“On the basis of the principle of freedom of choice and constitutional right to bodily autonomy, if the government implements vaccine mandates, AfriForum will take the necessary steps to oppose them.”

In the letter AfriForum also highlights how in an address to the nation in February, Ramaphosa promised that nobody would be forced to vaccinate and that the president is going back on this promise is very concerning.

AfriForum also stated in the letter that it is in favour of voluntary vaccinations, but opposes any forced vaccinations as it infringes on people’s rights.