PORT ELIZABETH - POLICE PUMMELED WITH STONES WHILE TRYING TO ENFORCE COVID-19 LEVEL 1 PROTOCOLS

The SAPS management has issued a stern warning against members of the community who disregard and defy the enforcement of the Disaster Management Act regulations in some parts of the Province and in particular in the identified hotspots of Port Elizabeth.

The warning comes after the SAPS received concerns and complaints from responsible members of the community in the Nelson Mandela Bay locations. This unlawful behaviour has been noticed in some taverns, entertainment areas such as Tshisa-Nyama and in the streets of Kwazakele. When the police were called to intervene in the situation, they found scores of people overcrowding taverns and overflowing to the streets where their drinking binge continued uncontrollably.

More concerning is the fact that these people are coming out of taverns and braai places which are expected to act responsibly and manage their patrons without the necessity to involve the police. The spilling over of the people to the roads has resulted in drunk, loud and disorderly conduct of the patrons. It is unfortunate that even when the police arrived to reason with patrons, they were met with hostile attitudes which involves hurling them with stones and insults.

This kind of demeanour on the part of those involved, is criminal in nature and cannot be allowed to continue with impunity. Our country is governed by the rule of law. Any person whose behaviour goes against the constitution of the country by violating the rights of other people, will be dealt with in terms of the law and consequences will be dire. No individual persons own the rights to do as they please and at the cost of other people.

“The SAPS recognises the rights of individuals to enjoy themselves during these festive season holidays, but such rights must be exercised within the parameters of the law. All those found to be not complying with Disaster Management Act regulations and Covid-19 stipulated protocols which include the wearing of Masks, observing the social distance and Curfew regulations will be prosecuted. Such behaviours are unacceptable and unnecessarily risking the lives of innocent and responsible people who respect the law” the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga warned.

The SAPS Senior Management will be visiting all the operations and beaches to assess and monitor the level of compliance during the holiday season. Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has also hailed the work of the integrated forces which included the SANDAF, Traffic Officers and Local Government Law Enforcement Officers.

The Provincial Commissioner has expressed appreciation at the support and compliance by most of the communities in all the Beaches in the Eastern Cape. Various operations with massive deployments are set to roll day and night in various parts of the Province to enforce compliance and ensure peace and tranquillity for the law abiding citizens and holiday makers.

via - SAPS