“Comply with all police officers’ instructions and help eThekwini and South Africa flatten the curve against this pandemic.”That’s the request from Metro Police spokesperson, Parboo Sewpersad, as Amanzimtoti residents prepare to head into lockdown level three on 1 June.
Since lockdown started in late March, various units have put in extended and long hours to ensure its officers enforce all disaster management regulations in term of Covid-19, the Criminal Procedure Act, National Road Traffic Act and city bylaws.
“Our hard-working and dedicated officers have yielded excellent results in trying times to help flatten the curve. This included roadblocks, vehicle and movement check points, enforcing curfew regulations, land invasions and various protest demonstrations,” said Sewpersad.
Since lockdown, officers have arrested suspects for murder, armed robbery, housebreaking, kidnapping and theft. Lockdown has not influenced the number of officers on duty nor effected shift changes, with full deployment in all areas within eThekwini. The main law being broken during level four and that the majority has been arrested for is not confining themselves to their residences.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti school bells set to ring in lockdown level three
“We thank the public for co-operating during levels five and four and as we approach level three, once again intense planning and execution is being done, related to the new amended regulations to enforce alert level three. We urge citizens to comply at all times to police officers and not become involved in disputes with officers.”
Sewpersad said the community (by large) has been disciplined and obeyed all instructions during levels five and four. “Some businesses donated reusable masks to the service, for which we are very thankful and appreciate the kind gesture toward our men and women in blue who are frontliners.”
During level three Metro Police anticipate more traffic on thee roads, as people commute to work and back home. “Despite the easing of levels, our job remains the same, because we are law enforcers all the time. The drop in the alert levels will not make a difference to us, as we will continue to enforce in all areas and against all transgressions. This includes continuing with roadblocks.
“It is very stressful during these trying times and this is the first time such a pandemic has hit the world. It should be a learning curve for us all that together we can achieve the impossible and flatten the curve.”
READ ALSO: Isipingo supermarket fined during lockdown
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