{"id":470164,"date":"2021-02-23T09:27:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T07:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=470164"},"modified":"2021-02-23T09:27:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T07:27:43","slug":"thousands-of-south-africans-arrested-for-not-wearing-masks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/470164\/thousands-of-south-africans-arrested-for-not-wearing-masks\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands of South Africans arrested for not wearing masks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says that it has arrested thousands of South Africans for failing to wear masks under the country’s adjusted level 3 lockdown rules.<\/p>\n

Data published on Monday (22 February) showed that 10,701 persons were arrested in various public spaces for not wearing a mask in KZN alone, between 29 December and 21 February.<\/p>\n

Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said that the failure to wear masks, as per the regulations, remains a constant source of concern for the SAPS.<\/p>\n

“Security forces remain especially concerned with the high number of people that are arrested on a daily basis for not wearing a mask in public spaces.<\/p>\n

“We are appealing to people to maintain social distancing. This does not seem to be happening as hordes of people are observed congregating at shopping malls and other public spaces on a daily basis.”<\/p>\n

Criminal offence\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Under South Africa’s current lockdown rules, it is a criminal offence to not wear a mask in a public space.<\/p>\n

In a January interview<\/a><\/strong>, Police minister Bheki Cele said that when people are arrested for not wearing a mask, they are taken to a police station where they are formally charged, and have their fingerprints taken.<\/p>\n

He added that this process will give South Africans a criminal record, something which they must be ‘very wary of\u2019.<\/p>\n

Under South Africa\u2019s level 3 lockdown regulations, a \u2018face mask\u2019 means a cloth mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth, or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth.<\/p>\n

The wearing of a face mask is mandatory for every person when in a public place. excluding a child under the age of six years. any person who fails to comply with a verbal instruction by an enforcement officer to wear a face mask, commits an offence and is, on conviction. liable to a fine and\/or a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months.<\/p>\n

In addition, no person will be allowed to perform the following activities if they are not wearing a mask:<\/p>\n