According to the provincial spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, the arrests took place between 28 June and 4 July 2021. Mokgwabone says amongst those arrested, 72 suspects were arrested for failure to confine themselves to their residences, 137 for being in public without wearing a mask, while others were fined for contraventions such as sale and dispensing of liquor, failure to close places permitted to remain open until 20:00, and gatherings for reasons other than a funeral. 

“The 282 individuals held for contravening the Disaster Management Act regulations were actually given fines. They are therefore expected to pay the admission of guilt fines, alternatively they may appear in court to present their cases as to why they do not want to pay the admission of guilt fines,” Mokgwabone says.

Mokgwabone says the suspects were arrested in all four districts during operations aimed at enforcing the Adjusted Level 4 Disaster Management Act Regulations and general crime prevention. The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Sello Kwena urges members of the community to voluntarily comply with the regulations and Covid-19 health and safety protocols to minimise the spread of infections.  

OFM News/Blaine Jones