They appeared in Nigel Magistrate’s Court on March 30, where they were fined R5 000 each for not complying with the contravention of the Disaster Management Act. The court also ordered that in the event of being found guilty of a similar offense within the next six months, the suspects will be sentenced to jail.

According to Sgt Harry Manaka (SAPS Duduza spokesperson) police clammed down on tavern owners in Duduza, following president Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on declaring South Africa a State of Disaster and subsequent call for a national lock down.

The first two men (licensed tavern owners) were arrested on the evening of March 27 for illegally selling liquor to the public.

“Another four arrests were carried out between 28 and 29 March. The suspects are all local tavern owners and they were illegally selling alcohol to members of the public. This should serve as a stern warning to the community that the Covid-19 pandemic is taken seriously by law enforcement officers and that perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly ” Sgt Manaka said.

Police minister Bheki Cele, on March 31 also confirmed that around 2000 people have been arrested across the country for non-compliance with the lockdown regulations since March 27.

“We will continue to do that to nudge them towards compliance. But it will be better if people are listening and complying, but we will push them when the need comes to respect the law. The regulations that are there. They must be respected,” Cele said.