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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 coronavirus.
He made the remark following the arrest of 17 men, believed to be Muslim worshipers, on Friday who had allegedly gathered in Pretoria West, in direct violation of the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations.
The Minister says he has noted with concern that some arrests effected across most provinces over weekends since the lockdown, were of people who had gathered for religious reasons.
The only gathering permitted under the lockdown is a funeral service 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, wherein some instances this means arresting people," Cele said.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Vish Naidoo says the suspects are still in police custody as they await confirmation on their nationalities from the department of home affairs.
He says the suspects will either be released on bail, issued with a fine, or taken to court on Tuesday, depending on the outcome of the preliminary investigations.
(Additional reporting by African News Agency)
