"Instead, the company seems determined to take a short-sighted approach which is eroding its reputation," Schuster said, "and which will contribute to the devastation of a swathe of the small tourism and hospitality businesses which are so essential to the South African economy." In a Stock Exchange News Service announcement on Tuesday, Santam said it "understands the financial distress on the businesses and individuals impacted by the national lockdown to combat Covid-19", and that it also recognises "the public interest in this matter and (is) therefore seeking legal certainty by having this matter speedily determined by the courts of South Africa". Santam yesterday declined to comment further on the matter.