At least thirty-three people have been arrested in KwaDukuza since lockdown began for failing to comply with the national lockdown regulations, said transport, community and safety liaison MEC Bheki Ntuli last Thursday.

The MEC was at a roadblock along the R102, set up to clamp down on various crimes including overloading.

“Out of the total arrests made 10 were liquor related, while 14 people were arrested for failing to adhere to the social distancing rule and nine cases related to public transport operators for failing to adhere to the maximum loading capacity,” Ntuli said.

More than 1400 people have been arrested across the province for violating lockdown regulations.

Provincial authorities and police said more arrests will follow if people break the rules.

Accompanied by provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Khombinkosi Jula and a heavy police contingent during the massive roadblock, Ntuli said the authorities had stepped up raids and roadblocks across the province “as part of clamping down on lawlessness”.

Liquor store raids were also conducted during the operation on Thursday to ensure liquor vendors were adhering to the new regulations that were gazetted after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the coronavirus outbreak a national disaster.

“I wish to commend our law enforcement agencies for arresting 1,443 people in the province since Friday, March 27, which demonstrates that we are serious about clamping down on those that are contravening the regulations.”

Ntuli said the arrests were related to offences including various categories of crime, overloading and failure to adhere to lockdown regulations.

“Our law enforcement agencies are implementing a zero-tolerance policy against the contravention of the lockdown regulations.

“Police will continue to conduct multidisciplinary law enforcement operations, road safety awareness campaigns and education activations about the coronavirus in the province to ensure safety on our roads and to save people’s lives,” he said.

Transport authorities have also promised to provide masks, gloves and other safety equipment to users of public transport.

Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.