Police begin random stop and search operations
Cele appealed to the public not to buy any alcohol during this time, as all alcohol sales are currently illegal.
Police have started random stop and search operations to ensure residents comply with regulations of the reinstated alcohol ban and curfew.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said, “There will also be random stop and search operations to ensure that the prohibition on the trade of alcohol and tobacco is not being subverted. Throughout all of this, law enforcement officials will be dependent upon the cooperation of community members to ensure these operations are handled in the best possible spirit and with the least disruption.”
This follows the reinstate the curfew between 9pm and 4am as a measure to curb the runaway rate of Covid-19 infections.
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“In addition to the stop and search operations, police will increase visibility, roadblocks and patrols, where applicable, on the streets, at malls and other areas where people ignore social distancing protocols. With the reintroduction of the ban, alcohol may be consumed in private but it may not be transported, sold or dispensed at any liquor outlet, whether bottle store, bar, shebeen or restaurant. People are allowed to drink alcohol in private, inside their homes or their yards but not in public spaces, on pavements or in their vehicles. Law enforcement officials have been instructed to act resolutely to enforce compliance with the regulations, arresting those who breach the regulations and ensuring that they are successfully prosecuted. Convictions will result in either fines or jail terms, depending on the discretion of the court,” he said.
Cele appealed to the public not to buy any alcohol during this time, as all alcohol sales are currently illegal.
“If anyone is caught doing so, they will be prosecuted. The cluster is urging communities to work with law enforcement agencies and officials to continue reporting anyone transgressing the regulations,” he said.
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