[ad_1]
While Nelson Mandela Bay police and local law enforcement agencies praised communities for staying away from beaches, police were called in to break up a large street party and drink in Kwazakhele on Wednesday. (Photo: Naashon Zalk / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Insults and stones were thrown at police officers Wednesday night as they moved to break up a huge street braai in a Nelson Mandela Bay township. The skirmish came as authorities praised communities for staying away from local beaches. Police vowed to clamp down on anyone who violates disaster management regulations during the holiday season.
Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Liziwe Ntshinga issued a stern warning to residents of Nelson Mandela Bay after law enforcement officers were called in to break up a street braai in Kwazakhele on Wednesday, December 16. . It was the first day the province’s beaches were closed under the latest pandemic lockdown regulations.
Police received complaints from residents about a series of parties in their neighborhood, centered around taverns and a venue. hot meat (Braai takeaway point of sale). When the police arrived and tried to disrupt the festivities, they threw stones at them and yelled insults at them.
“When the police were called to intervene in the situation, they found dozens of people crowded with taverns and overflowed into the streets, where their drunkenness continued uncontrollably,” said police spokesman Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
“More worrying is the fact that these people are leaving taverns and braai places that are expected to act responsibly and manage their customers without the need to involve the police.”
“The overflow of people onto the roads has resulted in drunken, loud and disorderly behavior. It is unfortunate that even when the police came to reason with clients, they were met with hostile attitudes, ”Kikana said.
Ntshinga said: “SAPS recognizes the rights of people to enjoy during these festive season holidays, but such rights must be exercised within the parameters of the law. All those who do not comply with the regulations of the Disaster Management Act and the protocols stipulated by Covid-19, which include the use of masks, compliance with social distance regulations and curfew, will be prosecuted. Such behaviors are unacceptable and unnecessarily risk the lives of innocent and responsible people who respect the law ”.
Ntshinga said police officers had found support and enforcement of the beach ban across the province.
In November, a report by the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, highlighted how the local municipality’s law enforcement arm, the Metro Police, had repeatedly found hundreds of customers drinking and dancing on the streets of Nelson Bay. Mandela regardless of physical distancing and without clothing masks
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor’s Safety and Security Committee Member John Best said he had received a full report on the law enforcement initiatives that took place on Wednesday and had personally observed some operations.
“I am especially encouraged by the widespread civil obedience as our beach closures were enforced. However, we did experience problems where alcohol was consumed in vehicles outside of taverns and in social activities beyond the 10 p.m. curfew.
“Our colleagues from the South African Police Services, in collaboration with our Metropolitan Police, responded appropriately to address the situation. We would like to appeal to residents to adhere to the 10pm curfew, as the Minister of Health reported another major increase in infections. Our law enforcement efforts will continue unabated to ensure compliance, ”Best said.
He said he believed there was widespread confusion about the 10 p.m. curfew on the subway:
“Reports from our law enforcement employees indicate that there is still widespread confusion about the correct curfew start time under the Disaster Management Act. It is an hour later for other regions. We were informed that numerous members of the public told law enforcement officers that they thought the curfew only began at 11pm, which is obviously not the case. “
Nelson Mandela Bay, the subway made up of Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch, was declared a coronavirus hotspot by President Cyril Ramaphosa in early December after a severe outbreak of Covid-19 infections. As part of the restrictions placed on hotspots, a 10 p.m. curfew was established for the subway, banning after-funeral parties and the retail sale of alcohol from Friday to Sunday.
Indoor socials are limited to 100 people and 250 people outdoors. The subway beaches were closed as of December 16.
This week, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases noted that there had been a significant drop in new cases on the subway. Only 169 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases stands at 2,209. DM / MC
Do you like what you are reading? Sign up for the Maverick Citizen newsletter and get a weekly summary delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Free. Because paywalls shouldn’t keep you informed.
