South Africans have been warned of the consequences they will face if level 4 lockdown regulations are broken. Police Minister Bheki Cele made this declaration at the National Coronavirus Command Council briefing after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Sunday.
“Law enforcement is up to the task. Their aim is not to arrest and criminalise people in mass,” said Cele.
“As a country, we are all wiser to the effects of this deadly virus. We all know the pain and destruction Covid-19 continues to cause us as a nation and I am confident, there will be more compliance to the regulations set out to save lives.”
According to BusinessTech, failing to adhere to these regulations will result in a fine, imprisonment that doesn’t exceed six months or both.
Since March last year, more that 465,000 South Africans were charged with the contravention of the Disaster Management Act, while a total of 7 439 people have been arrested during the level 3 restrictions this year.
Cele said that calls to defy lockdown regulations will not be tolerated, and believes that citizens are beginning to realise the severity of adhering to the law, as eNCA reports.
“Police will continue to monitor compliance through targeted operations, which will be intensified in hotspot provinces.
“Those who choose to transgress must know that police will be left with no choice but to act.
“Community members are also encouraged to continue to be instrumental in reporting the flouting of the regulations,” he said.
He further addressed the subject of mass gatherings by saying: “In the same breath, let me emphasize, that mass gatherings are not only prohibited but are criminalised under Adjusted Alert Level 4.
“Political leaders of all parties are urged to act responsibly during this time and be reminded that no amount of political mileage is worth people’s lives.”
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Picture: Cape {town} etc gallery