AS the country entered into the second week of the lockdown, the National Joint Operational And Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) is calling on communities and various organisations to refrain from taking the law into their own hands to enforce Disaster Management Regulations.
The NatJOINTS, which comprises of various Government departments, is responsible for the coordination of the Covid-19 operations, including high density policing operations, border control, route security and public health infection containment.
Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said so far the greater majority of the nation has been very co-operative in adhering to the Disaster Management Regulations, however, the call for greater adherence to the regulations comes following the continuous non-adherence to these regulations by certain individuals.
“We call upon civilians to adhere to the regulations and not attempt to enforce the Lockdown Regulations on their own as citizens are required to remain in the confines of their own homes during this period and by not doing so means they themselves are breaking the law. Essential service workers are risking their lives to ensure all people in South Africa continue to receive essential services and ensuring that the coronavirus is contained. SAPS are not only involved with enforcement of the Disaster Management Regulations but they still continue to perform their Constitutional obligations to ensure that all South Africans are and feel safe,” said Naidoo.
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He said further to this, security forces are involved in ensuring safe and conducive areas for the thousands of field workers who will conduct screening and testing for the Covid-19 coronavirus among communities. Police officers are also deployed to assist in securing the identified quarantine and isolation sites.
“The South African Police Service will continue to act on all complaints received as no one has a special provision to act in a manner that is contrary to the regulations governing the lockdown period. We urge all citizens to stay at home and only go out when it is absolutely necessary such as getting essential supplies, seeking medical assistance and collecting social grants,” he said.
The NatJOINTS calls upon everyone who may have complaints or information relating to non-adherence of the Disaster Management Regulations to get in touch with law enforcement officials by contacting the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or submitting tip-offs anonymously on the MySAPSApp which is available for download on all androids or iPhones.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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