Nkandla mayor arrested for defying lockdown regulations
The mayor and two executives were arrested while distributing food parcels to street vendors
NKANDLA Mayor Thami Ntuli and two of his executive members were arrested on Thursday for defying the Disaster Management Act.
All three were released on R1 000 bail each and are expected to appear in the Nkandla Magistrate’s Court on 19 May.
Ntuli confirmed they were arrested while distributing food parcels and sanitisers to street traders.
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‘We drafted our action plan with the local police, some of whom were present, including the station commander, when we distributing the food parcels and sanitisers. There was no crowd assembled,’ said Ntuli.
‘So, we were confused and shocked when police told us they had to arrest us on instruction of their top management.’
Ntuli believes the arrest was politically motivated since Premier Sihle Zikalala undertook a similar distribution drive in Durban without being arrested.
‘As we all know, street vendors are now allowed to trade but they face a challenge in that there are no customers.
‘We were simply handing them food parcels as they are struggling to.make ends meet for their families,’ Ntuli said.
He added the arrest won’t stop them doing their job of helping poor community members.
Police spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said that about 20 people were arrested in Nkandla for defying the Disaster Management Act.
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