The City of Joburg tweeted that a cyclist was arrested on a Joburg freeway this morning, 27 March – the first day of the lockdown.
In one of two photos tweeted by the City, the cyclist is stopped by Metro police. In the second photo, the cyclist is in the Metro police van along with the bicycle.
The tweet, which was posted just before 8am this morning, reads, “#SaferJoburg First person to be arrested- Cycling on the Freeway. Please follow the rules. #21daysLockdownSA #Covid19SA #JoburgCares.”
First person to be arrested- Cycling on the Freeway. Please follow the rules. #21daysLockdownSA #Covid19SA #JoburgCares ^PS pic.twitter.com/ZggnxLYRMf
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 27, 2020
In one comment, a Twitter user asked if the cyclist was going to buy food, and the City of Joburg responded that the cyclist had been asked this question and used it as an opportunity to also explain that cycling on freeways is not permitted – whether in a lockdown situation or not.
They asked, yes you can, cycling on freeways is also not permitted ^NS
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 27, 2020
This is further outlined on the Arrive Alive website. According to the website, under reg 323 for rules on freeways where cyclists are prohibited, it reads in part:
“No person shall operate on a freeway-
-
- a vehicle was drawn by an animal;
- a pedal cycle;
- a motorcycle having an engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres or which is propelled by electrical power or which is a vehicle as contemplated in paragraph (b) of the definition of motor vehicle in the Act;
- a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle;
- a vehicle with a mass not exceeding 230 kilograms and specially designed, constructed or adapted for the use of a person suffering from a physical defect or disability; or
- a tractor.”
If you’re still unsure of the dos and don’ts during the lockdown, Caxton Local Media’s legal advisor and journalist, Helene Eloff, outlines the regulations that have been published by the South African Government. Listen here:
The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800 029 999 with any suspected cases of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
ALSO READ:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/262770/watch-caxton-local-media-will-covered-lockdown/
