President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned against those who will take chances trying to circumvent the rules of the lockdown, saying they should not “play with fire”.
Addressing members of the SA Police Service (SAPS) deployed to enforce the regulations of the lockdown, which starts at midnight, Ramaphosa did not mince his words, saying those who violate the rules will face the wrath of the law.
The commander-in-chief had earlier revealed that the numbers of people who have tested positive for the Covid-19 global pandemic had reached 927 in South Africa, which was an increase of 218 cases since yesterday when Health Minister said the country had recorded 709 cases.
The president appealed to the cops to treat citizens with compassion, saying South Africans were already terrified at the prospect of contracting the virus and its devastating impact on the economy.
“There will be those who take chances, deliberately wanting to challenge the state. This is not time to play with fire. We are serious about saving lives,” he said in Pretoria, moments before leaving to address the members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
The SANDF will be working with the SAPS in enforcing the lockdown invoked by the president on Monday.
Ramaphosa told police that he had had a virtual meeting with leaders of G20 who committed to doing everything to combating the virus.
