The ‘sacrifice’ of human rights during an unprecedented pandemic: Reflections on survey-based evidence

Twenty-five years into our constitutional democracy the Covid-19 pandemic led President Ramaphosa to declare a state of national disaster in terms Disaster Management Act 57 2002 (DMA). Strict lockdown regulations promulgated under DMA had clear bearing on human rights, such as rights religious observance, assembly and demonstration, association, movement, trade, education. In case De Beer v Minister Cooperative Governance Traditional Affairs (2020), High Court declared some levels four three irrational thus unconstitutional. Yet question we ask is, do ordinary South Africans support limitation their rights? To provide insight analyse data from University Johannesburg Human Sciences Research Council (UJ/HSRC) Democracy Survey, which was administered using free mobile platform April 2020 January 2021. Over survey rounds, willingness sacrifice remained high. Throughout pandemic, role public opinion has been largely overlooked. The Survey served one way facilitate democratic participation it allowed people express views, opinions concerns about virus living lockdown. This article discusses ‘sacrifice’ specific context this pandemic. It is argued that limiting certain constitutionally protected freedoms discussed herein may be necessary during ‘flatten curve’ protect oneself others, but careful attention should paid non-discrimination, dignity temporary nature limitations.