Ermelo Police arrested 48 people over the Easter weekend for contravening the Disaster Management Act among others.

According to Capt Carla Prinsloo, spokesman for Ermelo Police, they were arrested in terms of the Disaster Management Act 2020 Section 11(b) subsection (a)(i) failure by a person to be confined to a residence during lockdown except to perform/obtain essential services/goods, collect social grant or seek medical attention.

She added that people at tuck shops selling cigarettes were arrested as well as people travelling to other provinces as well as neighbouring towns unauthorised.

One rape case was reported to Ermelo Police, where a 37-year-old woman was allegedly raped by her boyfriend after she informed him that she wanted to end their relationship.

Capt Prinsloo added that numerous cases of housebreakings were also reported over the Easter weekend.

She advised home and business owners to take precautions to safeguard their properties.