The executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Geoffrey Makhubo, joined the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) at two roadside check operations which were aimed at checking the compliance of motorists with the regulations pronounced with the National State of Disaster on April 3.
These operations held across the City are part of an effort to monitor public compliance with the lockdown and related regulations.
During these operations, the mayor found that there are too many cars on the road, which is concerning as most were not complying with the regulations of the lockdown.
The roadside operations indicated that there is a need to intensify awareness on the lockdown and to enforce the laws.
Wayne Minnaar, JPMD spokesperson, confirmed 17 arrests were made as people were not complying and will therefore be charged through the regulations that have been proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs in line with the Disaster Management Act.
Makhubo said: “We have observed that many people are abusing the use of the permits granted to them. Permits are not being used for the necessary essential services for which it is meant.
“It is concerning to see many citizens not adhering to the compliance of the lockdown. There will be no tolerance to those misleading law enforcement; people who are not complying will be arrested.
“I urge all to stay at home and only go out when they need to perform essential services. This is for their own safety and health, but also to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.”
The City of Johannesburg will continue to conduct more roadside check operations over the next 15 days across the City to continue to enforce compliance, and where there is non-compliance, there will be arrests made in accordance with the regulations that have been proclaimed by the Minister or Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs in line with the Disaster Management Act.
“We also thank those that have heeded the call and are in compliance with the regulations that relate to the lockdown,” concluded Makhubo.
