Communities urged to cooperate with law enforcement during lockdown
Provincial Commissioner calls on communities’ cooperation after several incidents of disruptive behaviour
The Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure is calling on communities to comply with regulations and amendments in relation to Covid-19. The structure also urges the community to refrain from attacking law-enforcement agencies while enforcing the regulations aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19. Two incidents occurred in Kwaggafontein and Waterval Boven.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, who also co-chairs the structure, warned the public against such behaviour.
“We will not hesitate to arrest people who intentionally attack law-enforcement officers enforcing the Covid-19 regulations and the lockdown. We urge communities to work with the law-enforcement agencies to fight this pandemic,” said Zuma.
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Zuma further warned those hindering the delivery of water after residents in Siyabuswa in the Dr JS Moroka Municipality were reported to have turned away water tankers. “Those people are putting the lives of many in danger as they need water in order to fight the spread of Covid-19. Such behaviour will not be tolerated and those found responsible will face the full might of the law,” he warned.
More than 700 people have been arrested in Mpumalanga for violating the regulations since the president declared the 21-day lockdown. These include families who defy the restrictions by travelling to neighbouring provinces or areas with their children.
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“We have effected arrests against families travelling with their children, because this is inexcusable. Any defiance will be met with arrest and people must never take chances. Our provincial borders are tight, with our law-enforcement agencies on high alert,” said Zuma.
Meanwhile, he cautioned business owners to register, to sanitise and to ensure compliance with social distancing in their establishments as one of the measures to manage the spread of the virus.
