Thousands of people were arrested since the start of the nationwide 21-day lockdown for various offenses.
By the end of March, the total sum of arrests had reached over 17 000 since the kick-off of the lockdown.
Offences vary between transport related offences, liquor related and general non-compliance with the Regulations.
Police Minister Bheki Cele on Thursday said the lockdown regulations were amended to allow people to travel between provinces to bury loved ones.
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Cele cleared the confusion on the regulation that people needed a permit to travel to and from funerals (in a different province) raised.
“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,” said 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.
Certain categories of individuals closely related to the deceased, are also permitted to travel to funerals.
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According to the regulations, a person who needs to travel to a funeral – burial or cremation – needs the permission of a local magistrate or police station commander. Such person must produce 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 be reflected on the permit.
He said the limit on the number of people who can attend the funeral remains 50, in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Also, night vigil services are still strictly prohibited for the duration of the lockdown.
Cele said an instruction will be issued to the more than 24 000 members of the police, SANDF, metro police and other law enforcement agencies deployed to enforce the lockdown that spaza shops and informal food traders that have permits are allowed to operate.
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Cele also cleared the confusion around the sale of cigarettes, and if they were consider an essential item. He emphasised that the sale of cigarettes is prohibited across the country.
“Ideally, 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 Covid-19. We really do not want to arrest people but want to contain the spread of the virus.”
The police, the SANDF, metro police departments and all law enforcement agencies will remain on deployment throughout the lockdown.
Provincial breakdown of total arrests:
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Gauteng – 1 888
Western Cape – 4 769
KwaZulu Natal – 1 845
Eastern Cape – 1 613
Northern Cape – 832
North West – 1 562
Free State – 3 098
Mpumalanga – 752
Limpopo – 850
TOTAL – 17 209
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