29 Apr 2020

A member of the Human rights and law reform committee, Mr Tshiamo Rantao says the law recognises issues of contravening the contracts due to acts of God such as Covid-19 situation.

Speaking at a media briefing on COVID-19 preparedness on April 29, Mr Rantao cited acts of God as natural disasters and health pandemics, adding that when they befell the world people may not be able to honour their contractual obligations.

Mr Rantao said as such, it was understabdable that during the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, some people and companies would fasil to honour their contractual obligations such as paying house rentals because they were either not working or businesses were not operating.

Some companies, he said, would not be able to pay their employees due to the pandemic, which forced government to declare a state of public emergency resulting in closure of companies and shops.

Regarding demands by private school operators that parents  pay schools fees for children eventhough the schools were closed, Mr Rantao said according to his understanding the state of emergency came up with some regulations and Section 20 (1) called for the closure of all schools, both government and private.

He said if there was any electronic education taking place, it was just an arrangement between parents and the schools; and therefore according to his understanding it was not binding and no payment could be demanded. ENDS