MEC Fritz calls on citizens to adhere to lockdown regulations this long weekend

Today, the Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, appeals to citizens to adhere to lockdown regulations over the coming long weekend as the Western Cape enters its third wave peak.

Minister Fritz said, “it is a long weekend, and data clearly shows that there is an increase in patients presenting in trauma units over weekends, due especially to alcohol-related harms. So I want to appeal to citizens to please adhere to the lockdown regulations this weekend. I also appeal to citizens to check each other. When you see someone clearly not adhering to regulations; going to a big party, or even behavior like drinking and then getting behind the wheel, challenge that person, because they are putting everyone at risk. We need our ICU beds for Covid patients!”

Following the most recent changes to the regulations, alcohol sales for on-site consumption such as at restaurants have been permitted. Alcohol sales for offsite consumption, such as when alcohol is purchased at a shop for consumption at home, is still restricted from Mondays to Thursdays.

Minister Fritz continued, “from a law enforcement perspective, we are pulling out all the stops. On Thursday we deployed 191 newly-trained LEAP Officers, in addition to the 500 that were already deployed in the city. I am in constant contact with Provincial Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Patekile, and he has assured me that SAPS will be out in full-force. And there will be significant deployments from the City of Cape Town and other municipalities around the Province. So if you break the law, there will be consequences, and you will be fined or spend the weekend in jail.”

Minister Fritz concluded, “it goes without saying that I would much rather prefer that citizens are not arrested or fined. And so while our different law enforcement agencies will be ready to respond if necessary, I want to appeal to citizens to work with us. Please be adhere to the regulations.”

Anyone who witnesses any criminal acts, or who has any other information that will assist SAPS in making arrests are urged to telephone the SAPS Command Centre at 021 466 0011.­