Editor –
Clarity on application and enforcement is hereby sought by the concerned general public, who also face the risk of the full might of the law should they be in situations whereby contravention of the National Lockdown Regulations – as prescribed under Section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 – is questionable.
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The South African Police Service (SAPS) plays a very significant and imperative role in the enforcement of the lockdown regulations. In fact, they are the custodians of the regulations, as they have been tasked with the responsibility of protecting our people from the infection, as well as the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus.
In turn, we (as the general public) have an obligation to comply with the prescribed regulations and the said restrictions to protect ourselves and families from this virus.
However, the conduct of the SAPS during the lockdown (both at level 5 and 4) stands to be corrected.
Very recent incidents have left poor and voiceless citizens resentful and traumatised by the conduct of the SAPS at the Estcourt Shell Ultra City on May 2.
The 41 employees had gone to their permitted place of work to enquire about their salaries when the police arrived and arrested them for having contravened Section 16(1) of the Regulations. Although they were arrested for enquiring about their salaries, the law enforcers also fined them R1500, which was payable by May 21, and they were due to appear in court on June 2.
This accusation is questionable, since they were at their permitted place of work in full uniform in the hope of getting answers from their employer. They had also reported the matter to the SAPS on the morning of the 2nd and requested assistance in this regard.
Their efforts to make ends meet and feed their families were in vain, as they now owe money to the State – money they do not have. On May 12 in Estcourt, Section 16(1) was enforced differently by the very same law enforcers who were alerted about a party-gathering hosted by some officials from the municipality, as well as other government departments. According to information provided, police arrived at the scene and discovered that indeed there was contravention of Section 16(1) and further, there was alcohol.
However, they were spared the embarrassment of being escorted to the police station, whereby they should have also been charged and fined as well.
There have been many more incidents that have been reported and will continue to be reported unless law enforcers are held accountable for their biased approach in the application of the regulations.
As it stands, we cannot deny that the enforcement of the lockdown regulations is selective and that our people will be classed in terms of the contraventions of the regulations.
Why is it so that when the voiceless question the enforcers, they are deemed rebellious and in conflict with the authorities? Yes, we appreciate the efforts by the government to curb the spread of the virus. However, we are in no position to find comfort in the inconsistencies of law enforcement agents.
The enemy is no different, hence there is no need for the system to continue to burden and suffocate the poor and voiceless majority.
Law enforcers must stop being selective in the manner in which they enforce these regulations.
Issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters uThukela Region
A copy of this letter was sent to the police spokesperson for a response, but none has been received.
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