17 arrested for Pretoria church gathering
Police Minister Bheki Cele has issued a stern warning to religious leaders to ensure congregants abide by lockdown regulations set down to curb the spread of Covid-19.
This comes after a group of 17 men were arrested in Pretoria West on Friday afternoon while preparing for worship.
The men are now facing charges relating to the contravention of the Regulations of the Disaster Management Act.
All 17 will remain in police custody and are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Mathapelo Peters says gatherings remain prohibited, with the exception of funerals.
“The minister has noted with concern that some arrests effected across most provinces over weekends since the lockdown, are of people who had gathered for religious reasons, when the only gathering permitted under the lockdown is a funeral service with a limit of 50 people in attendance,” says Peters.
“Police Minister, General Bheki Cele has reiterated government's call to leaders across various sectors of society, particularly religious leaders, towards ensuring a national, collective and sustained effort to combat and contain the spread of the corona virus.”
#Lockdown See @SAPoliceService at a prayer facility... pic.twitter.com/IHwGnYxp1v
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 25, 2020
In a second incident, a video of a man encouraging all Muslims to engage in worship in congregation went viral.
“The minister has subsequently condemned this call that seeks to mobilize the public to defy the laws of this country and undermine the authority of the state and has called for an investigation into this matter,” Peters says.
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The arrests were made during several police operations that targeted roads, taxi ranks and malls. Various police roadblocks were also conducted. A total of 42 people were arrested for failing to stay at home, while 2 people were arrested for operating non-essential businesses which were subsequently closed by authorities.