Covid-19: Cele reminds South Africans that no one is above the law after police arrest congregants
This follows the release of a video depicting the arrest of Muslim congregants who allegedly gathered for prayer on the weekend. The video depicts police hurling insults at the congregants.
Police Minister Bheki Cele urges religious leaders and congregants to stay home and abide by the lockdown regulations.
This follows the release of a video depicting the arrest of Muslim congregants who allegedly gathered for prayer on the weekend. The video depicts police hurling insults at the congregants and blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad.
A statement by the Ministry of Police did not apologise for the arrest, but rather the conduct of the police officials.
Cele has emphasised that no one is above the law and the Muslim community is not receiving preferential treatment as opposed to other religious groups.
The statement read, “If they or any other religious group host another gathering, police will arrest them again, but without being blasphemous in executing their duties. This cuts across all gatherings, be they religious, cultural or otherwise.”
Cele said, “Our members should always execute their duties in line with the South African Police Code of Conduct. From the beginning of the state of disaster through the lockdown, we have received reports, complaints or incidents where some of our members have acted wrongfully. A number of reports are being investigated both by the Ipid and internally.”
The Council of Muslim Theologians, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa, welcomed the statement issued by the police minister indicating that an investigation would be conducted to discipline the suspected officer who insulted the Prophet Muhammad.
PRESS STATEMENT | JUSA once again calls for respect for #LockdownSA regulations and welcomes reaction from @SAPoliceService against sacrilege.#StayHome #Respect pic.twitter.com/ShTDV9Wh3D
— Jamiatul Ulama SA (@Jamiatsa) April 26, 2020
Cele reminded all citizens that the purpose of the lockdown regulations is to protect South Africans from the coronavirus.
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