After the stranglehold of stage 5 was relaxed, stage 4 was welcomed with open arms. On Thursday night the 7th of May 2020, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced a further relaxation in Stage 4.
This relaxation has to do with the facilitation and the movement of persons and goods within and across provincial, metropolitan or district boundaries. This will allow South Africans to move into a house or flat that they bought, however the transfer of the property must have occurred before the lockdown period. If a house or flat was rented, the new lease agreement must have been entered into before or during the lockdown period. This exemption will only allow people to move their “household furniture and effects” to relocate to another home. The relocation is on a once-off basis which is self-explanatory.
What are the requirements?
1. The person who wants to move, needs to obtain a permit (“Form 1” see attachment) from the station commander of a police station, or a person designated by him. If there are more than one person in the household that will be required to move, it must be indicated.
2. A copy of the relevant lease agreement that indicates the commencement and expiry dates of the lease agreement. In the case of a purchase of immovable property, a copy of the transfer documents will suffice.
3. This move must occur within the window period that extends from the 7th of May 2020 to the 7th of June 2020.
In conclusion, people who want to move need to remember to keep the permit that was issued to them at hand, along with any form of identification. Keep in mind that the relocation is a once-off move and when you have moved to another home you cannot move back. Also remember to make the necessary arrangements to complete the relocation before 7 June 2020.
Herman Janse van Rensburg
Commercial Law Department
(Candidate Attorney at Malan Lourens Viljoen Inc.)