No mercy if you are on the streets after curfew

Over 20 people were arrested for not adhering to the disaster management act regulations.

July 2, 2021

Zita Goldswain 2 minutes read

MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe said law and order will be restored in eMalahleni.

Covid-19 is real and devastating.

However, there are still a few who disregards the seriousness of the pandemic and the government’s call to comply with disaster management act regulations.

On Friday, June 25 Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe rounded up SAPS and took a drive through the city.

Over 20 people had handcuffs around their wrists as they were not home in line with curfew times. Nine liquor premises and three filling stations were also visited during the operation, where no social distancing was practised.

“Tavern owners must not only prioritise profits, but they should comply with all Covid-19 health protocols,” he warned. “Adequate social distancing among the patrons must be ensured at all times in these establishments,” added the MEC.

He again made it clear that the disaster management act regulations must be adhered to at all times and called on liquor traders to operate within the ambit of the disaster management act by ensuring full compliance to all Covid-19 health protocols.

During the oversight visit, one person was also arrested for having a vehicle that was reportedly stolen in Embalenhle.

The police also brought to book about seven more suspects who were wanted in connection with assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm cases in the area.

Other suspects were caught for offences that include housebreaking and theft, driving under the influence of alcohol, and carjacking.

Shongwe welcomed these successes, but he appealed to the police to spare no effort in making eMalahleni a crime-free area.

He emphasised that the government’s efforts to eradicate crime will bear fruits if the police do their work with integrity and show no leniency towards perpetrators of crime. The MEC said that law and order will be restored in eMalahleni.

“In the province, 1 030 suspects were arrested between June 21 and 27. The suspects were arrested for a variety of violations including murder, robberies, rape, stock theft, attempted murder, carjacking, drug-related offences, burglary business, burglary residential, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, theft of motor vehicles, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, being in possession of suspected stolen goods and the contravention of the disaster management regulations. More than 10 suspects were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi.

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