Fairland police enforce lockdown rules

Fairland police hit the streets of their precinct on 8 May to enforce all the rules and regulations laid out by government during the national lockdown – with face masks and gloves on, hand sanitiser strapped to their waists and on strict orders to ensure that no one was disobeying the heavily publicised rules of the lockdown. Sergeant Michael Kgatla, spokesperson for Fairland Police Station said, “The plan for the day was to stop all those breaking the rules of the national State of Disaster and all the rules of the lockdown. We checked permits of people we found on the road and asked them to explain the nature of their travel.” He said that anyone found disobeying any of the rules would be arrested under the State of Disaster Act. As Fairland police set up their first roadblock, they stopped a vehicle carrying six people and they were all arrested. Kgatla explained, “None of the occupants in the vehicle had a permit to be out so we had to arrest all of them for contravening the lockdown rules. “The driver will also be charged with overloading his vehicle.” Kgatla reminded the public that passenger vehicles are only allowed to travel at a maximum capacity of 50 per cent (driver plus two passengers). Public transport can travel at a maximum capacity of 70 per cent with all passengers wearing a face mask. Those found to be disobeying these rules will be arrested and charged. Earlier in the week during another operation, they arrested a man on Smit Street in Fairland for contravening the lockdown rules and having dagga on him. Kgatla stated, “The week before we arrested the very same man after finding him with over 35 bags of dagga. We found him there on 5 May, and another bag fell out of his pocket as we were arresting him for breaking the lockdown rules.” The police have also arrested people found to be trading liquor and cigarettes illegally during the lockdown. One popular bar in Fairland recently had one of its managers arrested and all liquor at the establishment confiscated by the police on the grounds of illegal trading of alcohol.Police are pleading with the public to adhere to the rules of the lockdown. “Not only will this keep you safe but it will keep thousands of South Africans safe,” he concluded.