If you cannot read that message click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. South African Government PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus - South Africa: Minister Bheki Cele welcomes National Command Council revisions on Coronav
Police Minister elaborates on the revisions by government to the lockdown regulations
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 3, 2020/ -- Police Minister, General Bheki Cele has welcomed the revisions by the
National Command Council to the Lockdown Regulations, and has taken time to elaborate on those aspects of the Regulations that seemed to have
caused confusion amongst the public.
With the second weekend of the lockdown around the corner, Minister Cele has contextualised the relaxation of the regulations in as far as
movement between Provinces, travelling to and from funerals is
concerned.
"We have been inundated with volumes of calls from families seeking
clarification or intervention or sometimes even permits relating to
travelling to the funerals of their loved ones. Most such calls came
from the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape and two particular police
stations mentioned were Arbedeen and Aliwal North," cited Minister Bheki Cele.
Amendments to the Regulations now allow certain individuals to move
between provinces, metropolitan and district areas for purposes of
transporting the body for burial.
Meanwhile, certain categories of individuals closely related to the deceased, are permitted to travel to funerals.
According to the regulations, persons travelling for the purpose of a
burial/cremation may obtain a permit to travel, from a Magistrate or
from a Police Station Commander or his/her designate, on provision of a
death certificate or a certified copy thereof. It is important for the
individual seeking a permit to also give their date of return that will
reflect on the permit.
Furthermore, the limit on number of people in attendance at a funeral
remains 50, to maintain the effort to curb the spread of the corona
virus. Also, night vigil services are still strictly prohibited for the
duration of the lockdown.
On the issue of "spaza shops", an instruction will be issued to the more than 24 000 members on deployment from the SAPS, SANDF, Metro Police
and other law enforcement agencies, to understand that all spaza shops
and informal food traders with the necessary permits from the relevant
Municipality will be allowed to operate.
In response to another area of confusion, the Minister of Police
clarified and emphasised that cigarettes are not an essential item and
that the sale thereof is prohibited across the country.
"What has been a dampener since the beginning of the lockdown has been
the consistently high number of people arrested for violating the
lockdown regulations," continued Minister Cele citing 2 298 arrests just on 30 March 2020. By close of business on 31 March 2020, the total sum
of arrests had reached over 17 000 since the kick-off of the lockdown.
Provincial breakdown of total arrests:
Gauteng - 1 888Western Cape - 4 769KwaZulu Natal - 1 845Eastern Cape - 1 613Northern Cape - 832North West - 1 562Free State - 3 098Mpumalanga - 752Limpopo - 850
TOTAL - 17 209
Offences vary between transport related offences, liquor related and general non-compliance with the Regulations.
"Ideally," said the Minister, "we would prefer that our communities and
all stakeholders cooperate and comply to minimise the risk of exposure
of both themselves as well as our 24 389 law enforcement members to the
COVID-19. We really do not want to arrest people but to contain the
spread of the Virus."
Members of the SAPS, the SANDF, Metro Police Departments and all law
enforcment agencies will remain on deployment throughout the lockdown
period.
Minister Cele reiterated the need by Provinces to align themselves to
the National Regulations, and not to unilaterally sanction their own
unauthorised province-specific version of the Regulations as this ends
up confusing the public and of more concern, confusing the law
enforcement agencies who are expected to enforce the National
Regulations.
There are avenues in place through with provincial governments can
engage and give input in relation to the Regulations. Minister Cele is
calling on all spheres of government to follow due processes in the best interest of the country at large.
The laws of the country must be upheld.
Issued by:
South African Police Service
If you cannot read that message click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. South African Government PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus - South Africa: Minister Bheki Cele welcomes National Command Council revisions on Coronav
If you cannot read that message click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. South African Government PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus - South Africa: Minister Bheki Cele welcomes National Command Council revisions on Coronav
If you cannot read that message click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. South African Government PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus - South Africa: Minister Bheki Cele welcomes National Command Council revisions on Coronav
If you cannot read that message click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. South African Government PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus - South Africa: Minister Bheki Cele welcomes National Command Council revisions on Coronav
If you cannot read that message click here. APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. South African Government PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus - South Africa: Minister Bheki Cele welcomes National Command Council revisions on Coronav
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