DUNDEE: SAPS complain that public are still not ‘playing the game’

While many Dundee residents have complained that SAPS have not ‘properly implemented the 9pm to 5am curfew or clamped down enough on those not masking up in public’, the KZN SAPS insist that over 7000 people have been arrested in the province for not complying with lockdown regulations.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, said ‘since the announcement of latest Level 3 Lockdown regulations, we have embarked on daily operations focused on ensuring that all the citizens in the province comply with the regulations to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus.’

“We are urging citizens to comply with the regulations as law enforcement officers continue to work around the clock with all other departments to protect communities from being exposed to the COVID-19 virus,” he said.

Co-ordinated multi-disciplinary operations are being conducted simultaneously across the province focussing on hotspot areas and those areas were reports of non-compliance are received.

As a result of operations carried out from December 29, 2020 until January 25, 2021, 7270 individuals were arrested for various contraventions of the Level 3 lockdown regulations in the province.

Police arrested 1579 private persons as well as business owners who have failed to comply with the curfew set in the regulations.

During the same period, 5228 persons were arrested in various public spaces for not wearing a mask. Operations also netted 400 people who were found to transporting, selling or consuming liquor in a public space, which is in contravention of the regulations.

“We appeal to anyone with information with regards to contraventions of the adjusted alert Level 3 Lockdown regulations to please contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report contraventions anonymously via the MySAPSApp,” said SAPS spokesman, Brig. Jay Naicker.