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By Robin-Lee Francke 
December 15, 2020
Cape Town – Cape Town’s law enforcement services are ready to implement the latest Covid-19 restrictions set by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night.
In a statement released Tuesday, the city council said its enforcement services will expand its efforts to ensure compliance and slow the spread of Covid-19 as the country is hit by a second wave of infections.
Executive Mayor Dan Plato said that while the city’s beaches remain open, residents must behave responsibly as the national government would not hesitate to close beaches for non-compliance.
“The Mother City has received a reprieve by not being declared a conflict zone and the City will do everything possible to ensure compliance with the restrictions, as well as the amended restrictions that have been announced,” said Plato.
The latest amendments to lockdown restrictions include a curfew from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Mayor’s Safety and Security Committee Member JP Smith said the City will modify its holiday season preparation plan to match the amended regulations.
He’s also calling on the public to abide by the rules or face consequences.
“Our staff will be away from home, in partnership with the South African Police Service, to monitor compliance and issue fines against regulations when necessary,” Smith said.
He joined operations in Bellville on Monday night and said that while several locations were making an effort to comply with regulations, notices were issued to other companies for not displaying warning signs, not having Covid-19 tests and customers don’t wear masks.
Smith has raised concerns about the illegal alcohol trade as the sale of alcohol has been restricted from Monday to Thursday.
“We have indicated time and again how critical alcohol abuse is to putting additional pressure on our law enforcement resources, but also on our health care system at a time when we cannot afford it.
“Therefore, the City asks the public to report the illegal sale of alcohol. We will invoke our whistleblower reward system for information leading to successful arrests and prosecutions.
“In addition, where establishments sell liquor in contravention of regulations, the City will request the Liquor Regulatory Authority to suspend or withdraw the liquor license of the establishments,” added Smith.
African News Agency (ANA)
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