Cele says these 16 are part of the 55 that have been arrested countrywide during 172 roadblocks with no less than 25 000 officials deployed. He adds that 11 people have been arrested in the North West and 5 were arrested in the neighbouring province of the Free State for selling liquor. He did not mention the Northern Cape. He says suspects were arrested for defying president Cyril Ramaphosa's order for social distancing in order to stem and flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Addressing the nation on Friday evening 27 March 2020, Cele said it is quite clear that suspects do not have the country's best interest at heart. 

He further says on Day 1 of the lockdown the police have noted shopping as problematic, as social distancing was not adhered to. Cele adds that his department is in consultation on how to address this. He says 20 arrests were made in Gauteng, 7 in KwaZulu-Natal, and 10 in Limpopo.

OFM News