National police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said the family of deceased Skeem Saam actor Charlie Maja was fined R5 000 for violating lockdown regulations during the actor’s funeral yesterday.
This comes after mourners exceeded the maximum number of 50 set by the government to attend a funeral during the lockdown period.
According to one of the attendees, police were forced to remove some mourners at the cemetery to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.
“Yes, I can confirm that there were more than 50 people in attendance at the funeral. One of the close family members is being fined R5 000 for contravening the disaster management regulations,” said Naidoo.
Limpopo Artist Movement leader Mphoza Mashabela, who assisted the family to secure a tombstone donation, said he had paid the R5 000 fine on behalf of the Maja family.
The fine, Sunday World has uncovered, was issued against Wilson Maja, the actor’s brother whom the police accused of failing to control the number of people attending the funeral.
The government regulations call for families to ensure that funeral proceedings were attended by close family members only.
Maja, 54, who was famous for his character as Big Boy Mabitsela on Skeem Saam, died last Thursday morning after suffering a stroke, according to his family.
The news of the nature of his death were also confirmed by the SABC1 soapie’s publicist, Sumaya Mogola, who said it had been informed about his death by his daughter. At the time of his untimely death, the veteran actor was still commanding a serious following for his acting skills.
Before his role on Skeem Saam, Maja was known for his roles in several radio dramas on Thobela FM.
