Among other infringements, thousands not wearing masks in public and alcohol-related crimes have led to more than 20 000 arrests since 29 December.

• More than 20 000 people have been arrested or fined
  for contravening lockdown regulations since 29 December.
• Among these are more than 7 000 people who did not
  wear face masks in public, as well as hundreds charged with liquor-related
  infringements.
• However, Police Minister Bheki Cele says most South
  Africans are complying with lockdown regulations.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has called on South
Africans to heed government’s call to adhere to the adjusted lockdown
regulations.
This comes after more than 20 000 people were
arrested or fined for contravention of the Disaster Management Act since the
start of the adjusted Level 3 Covid-19 lockdown on 29 December.
Cele noted with great concern the arrest of 7 455
people caught not wearing masks in public.
“These arrests were made despite people being
told continuously to wear their masks. Wearing a mask is mandatory and people
caught without one in public, are committing an offence. The wearing of masks
is both for your safety and the safety of others around you.”
A further 834 people were arrested for
liquor-related infringements, such as the sale, dispensing, distribution and
transportation of alcohol.
Majority complying
Cele has commended the majority of South Africans
who are complying with the adjusted regulations.
“I want to stress the point that the law
enforcement agencies do not enjoy making these arrests as these laws are there
to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus that’s ravaging our country.
However, officers of the SAPS are left with no choice but to act in the
interest of saving lives.
“Therefore, I urge everyone who resides within
our borders to respect the laws of this land. The regulations are among our
arsenal against this deadly virus and failure to comply with them certainly
will result in more people being infected and more lives being lost,” Cele
said.
Since the beginning of the national lockdown in
March 2020, more than 342 000 people have been arrested for contravening the
Disaster Management Act.