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The clearest indication yet that the 21-day lockdown could be extended beyond April 16 has come from Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Addressing the media and the general public gathered in Secunda, Mpumalanga, on Tuesday morning, Cele cautioned South Africans that it was their behaviour in the coming days that would determine whether the lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus would continue or not.
“We would all like to go back to leading our normal lives,” said Cele, adding that “it is up to you to stay at home and prevent the spread of this disease which will determine whether the lockdown is extended or not”.
“We are halfway through the lockdown, but we should not pre-empt what will happen after April 16. The national command team led by President [Cyril Ramaphosa] will tell us what to do,” said Cele.
He added that whatever decision was taken, its main purpose would be to “protect the lives of the country’s citizens”.
Cele, accompanied by senior members of the SA Police Service’s management team, carried out an oversight engagement in Mpumalanga.
The minister said while it was encouraging that the majority of citizens were complying and staying at home, there were some who were being a law unto themselves and nullifying the gains made through the lockdown measures.
However, he indicated that there were numerous positives attained as a result of the lockdown.
“We have seen a drastic decrease in the numbers relating to murder and house robberies,” said Cele.
He also added that rape cases had also decreased significantly “as a result of police presence and visibility” .
“Rape incidents are down by 1 011 since start of lockdown,” said Cele.
He also attributed the decrease in crime to the temporary ban on alcohol, adding that some of these gains should be cherished.
“There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from this time that can be taken forward,” said Cele.
He also took the opportunity to applaud the “17 000 law enforcement personnel that are enforcing the lockdown in [Mpumalanga]” and the “11 permanent road blocks” that have been set up in the province.
“You are doing a remarkable job,” said Cele.
READ: Bheki Cele: 'I wish alcohol ban could be extended beyond lockdown'
“I passed two road blocks [on my way here] which tells us that it’s going to be difficult for people to break the law in this area,” he said.
The minister also clarified media reports that eight citizens had died at the hands of the police and that one woman had been raped under lockdown.
These stats were released last week by police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
“There has been a lot of negative reporting that has come to my attention. I urge the media that if you have reported on a matter and there is a correction of the information you have circulated, please correct it. There is a report that a member of the police raped a woman during the lockdown. This is untrue. It was the woman’s husband, who happens to be a police officer, who raped her. We don’t go out and report that a pilot raped someone or a taxi driver raped someone, why should it be any different now?” Cele questioned.
He also added that an Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officer was wrongfully accused in a Vosloorus murder case that had been taken to court. Cele said the officer has not been charged in the case.
Cele also said the death of Petrus Miggels, in the Western Cape, had since been ruled a case of natural death following post-mortem results showing he died of a heart attack. It was initially alleged that Miggels had been killed due to police brutality.
