The government can no longer prevent the distribution of food during the Covid-19 national lockdown after a non-governmental organisation (NGO) - 1 000 Women Trust - approached the courts and won the right to freely assist the hungry.

The 1 000 Women Trust, a well-known South African NGO, approached the Cape Town High Court in its case against Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu and Police Minister Bheki Cele.

The NGO approached the high court after Zulu's department announced a proposed ban on soup kitchens and circulated draft directives that prevented the distribution of food by NGOs.

She said Judge Henney's order now effectively "halted the process by which the Department of Social Development can prevent the distribution of food by NGOs".

We will never stop anyone, but our people must have dignity

Speaking to News24 on Sunday evening, the minister said the social development department had repeatedly said it never wanted to stop organisations from helping South Africans.