members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team (TRT) arrested 17 men on Friday at approximately 13:00. This after the congregants converged in a building in Pretoria West in what appeared to be a religious gathering.
“All 17 suspects are still in police custody as we await confirmation on their nationalities from the Department of Home Affairs,” Naidoo said.
They will either be released on bail, issued with a fine, and/or taken to court on Tuesday, depending on the outcome of the preliminary investigations.
“In a second incident, 24 congregants were arrested [on Saturday] after they too formed part of what appeared to be a religious gathering in… Mpumalanga. Contrary to various reports, it was these arrests, and not Pretoria West, that were captured on video which went viral on social media platforms,” Naidoo said, clarifying an earlier statement.
He said in both incidents, the congregants are alleged to have contravened the regulations of the Disaster Management Act.
Comments about Prophet Mohammed ‘unacceptable’
Naidoo said the comments about the Prophet Mohammed are “unfortunate and unacceptable”.
“The SAPS management has directed that this matter to be investigated and the person/s who uttered such comment/s about the prophet be identified and brought to book.”
Naidoo said people of all religious denominations, particularly religious leaders, are urged to ensure total compliance with the Disaster Management Regulations Act, which are being implemented to combat the Covid-19 virus.
“These regulations are in place to ensure that all people in South Africa are safe and protected against the virus.”
Cele earlier reiterated government’s call to leaders across various sectors of society, particularly religious leaders, to ensure a national, collective and sustained effort to combat and contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Cele said he had “noted with concern” that some arrests effected across most provinces over weekends since the lockdown were of people who had gathered for religious reasons, when the only gathering permitted under the lockdown are funeral services with a limit of 50 people in attendance.
“When people, wittingly or unwittingly, violate the lockdown regulations, police are left with no choice but to enforce the law where in some instances this means arresting people,” said Cele.