According to Sibongile Masawe, chairman on the Middelburg branch of C19JOC, there are still many shop owners selling liquor from residences. On Sunday evening, a local woman was fined R5,000 for failure to comply with lockdown regulations.
“After several tip-offs, the SAPS managed to catch her red-handed, and 7 containers of sorghum beer were confiscated. She was also warned that she will be arrested if she continues selling liquor from here onward,” Masawe said.
According to SAPS police spokesperson for the Cradock Cluster, Lariane Jonker, loitering remains a problem at large, with several people being arrested late Sunday night for failure to comply. Masawe also expressed his concern about the number of children being allowed to socialise in the streets.
“It defies the object of closing schools earlier,” he said, but added that the C19JOC continues to engage and educate children and parents about the reasoning behind lockdown and social distancing.
While SAPS and officials from the department of health have had to man checkpoints outside the towns in less than ideal conditions, several vehicles have been turned away due to lockdown regulations.
At the Middelburg checkpoint on the N9 towards Colesberg, two taxis were refused thoroughfare after carrying more than 50% of their capacity. The passengers and drivers were also not in possession of documents justifying their travel during lockdown.
“We have a responsibility towards our community, and carry their safety on our shoulders,” Masawe maintained.
Middelburg, Cradock avert grants fiasco
Image: Supplied
The first day of Sassa grants went surprisingly well in Middelburg and Cradock.
On the eve of lockdown, a Covid-19 Joint Operations Committee (C19JOC) comprising Inxuba Yethemba and Chris Hani municipal officials, members of the South African Police Service, government departments and other stakeholders joined hands under leadership of IYM mayor Noncedo Zonke.
C19JOC members were on duty since the early hours on Monday to assist the elderly at several paypoints. Social distancing was maintained, and sanitiser, soap and water were made available to keep ATMs as hygienic as possible.
The committee has been working tirelessly in communities in the two towns, educating residents about the importance of adhering to lockdown. As eyes and ears, they have also been assisting the long arm of the law as the SAPS continues to clamp down on illegal sales of liquor.
WATCH | Corona chaos at Eastern Cape social grant paypoints
According to Sibongile Masawe, chairman on the Middelburg branch of C19JOC, there are still many shop owners selling liquor from residences. On Sunday evening, a local woman was fined R5,000 for failure to comply with lockdown regulations.
“After several tip-offs, the SAPS managed to catch her red-handed, and 7 containers of sorghum beer were confiscated. She was also warned that she will be arrested if she continues selling liquor from here onward,” Masawe said.
According to SAPS police spokesperson for the Cradock Cluster, Lariane Jonker, loitering remains a problem at large, with several people being arrested late Sunday night for failure to comply. Masawe also expressed his concern about the number of children being allowed to socialise in the streets.
“It defies the object of closing schools earlier,” he said, but added that the C19JOC continues to engage and educate children and parents about the reasoning behind lockdown and social distancing.
While SAPS and officials from the department of health have had to man checkpoints outside the towns in less than ideal conditions, several vehicles have been turned away due to lockdown regulations.
At the Middelburg checkpoint on the N9 towards Colesberg, two taxis were refused thoroughfare after carrying more than 50% of their capacity. The passengers and drivers were also not in possession of documents justifying their travel during lockdown.
“We have a responsibility towards our community, and carry their safety on our shoulders,” Masawe maintained.
In the public interest none of our coronavirus news coverage will be behind our paywall, it is available free for all to read. If you would like to support our mission of delivering award-winning, independent local news, please consider taking out a subscription by clicking here: www.dispatchLIVE.co.za/buy/.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos