Cele confirms SANDF will be deployed to police Western Cape beaches
- Apparently, the SA National Defence Force has been roped in to ensure that Garden Route beaches are kept clear of bathers
- Police Minister Bheki Cele says that the army's assistance is a welcome relief as SAPS officers test positive for Covid-19
- In addition to this move, Cele warned liquor vendors against ignoring the current lockdown restrictions
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Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed that the South African National Defence Force has been called in to help authorities keep bathers away from Western Cape beaches along the Garden Route.
Source: Getty Images
The Minister had been visiting the area on Wednesday when he noted that people are still visiting the local beaches and giving the cops a had time despite the current lockdown ban:
"There were complaints of non-compliance especially after the declaration that beaches are no-go areas. I must say that in the West Coast we found that compliance is much better, with the exception of Langebaan, where people were still surfing and all that. It's unfortunate that we had to make some few arrests there."
Cele expressed his surprise that the suspects arrested for snubbing regulations were Europeans, wondering aloud why they would do this when they are aware that a lockdown is in place back home.
Cele explained that, after receiving information that people were not complying with restrictions, the SANDF was deployed:
"For that reason, today we expect to be reinforced by the South African Defence Force to be here today to assist SA Police Service members to enforce the regulations that say people should not be on the beaches."
The Minister says that this is a welcome helping hand considering the high number of police officers who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Cele also warned once again that liquor traders caught selling alcohol illegally amid the current blanket ban would be facing their trading licences taken away and possibly even jail time.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that the South African Police Service has posted a video proving that it is taking the ban on beaches seriously.
The surfer, still dripping from his illicit venture into the waves, is seen being escorted off of the beach in cuffs.
Ministry of Police spokesperson Lirandzu Themba shared the clip, reminding citizens of the ban:
"SA Police Service in Langebaan in the West Coast arrest a surfer on the beach for contravention of the Disaster Management Act. All beaches except those in the Northern Cape remain closed under the adjusted Level 3 Lockdown."
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Source: Briefly News
