Two male church leaders and one female congregant have been arrested for contravening lockdown regulation in Sebokeng Zone 7 in Gauteng on Sunday. This arrest comes after police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse a group of about 250 churchgoers in defying of lockdown regulation.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said two male leaders, 47 and 69, were nabbed for contravening the Disaster Management Act, Adjusted level 3 lockdown regulations. Meanwhile a 62-year-od woman was also charged with the same offence as well as public violence.
“As the SAPS together with other law enforcement agencies continue to enforce and monitor adherence to the Lockdown Regulations.The members responded to reports of an illegal gathering at a church in Sebokeng Zone 7, and on arrival, ordered the group of about 250 congregants to disperse,”
According to Peters the group was reported to have defied police orders to disperse and the situation allegedly turned violent.
“When the congregants started throwing chairs at the members, where after police responded with rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the group. Police are calling on members of the public to adhere to the lockdown Regulations. Lockdown regulation have been put in place for everyone’s safety against the fast spreading COVID-19, and not to go out of their way to break the law,”
Perter called on the public to report instances of lockdown violation to the nearest police station.
“Residents of Gauteng have done well thus far and are urged to continue to report non-compliance with the Regulations.”
