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A man cycling from Johannesburg to Cape Town was among those arrested in the first 24 hours of the lockdown for contravening the regulations.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said the cyclist was arrested on the M1 in the Mondeor area of Johannesburg.
Naidoo pointed out that cycling was not allowed on freeways at any time and certainly not during the lockdown.
Jogging, cycling and walking dogs in the streets are prohibited.
Naidoo said people were arrested countrywide for contravening the lockdown regulations.
This included a man in Tshwane who was arrested for inciting the public to resist the lockdown regulations by posting a video on social media in which people were encouraged not to adhere to the regulations.
Also arrested, Naidoo said, was someone who tested positive but failed to adhere to going into quarantine and instead went out into the public and could have infected those with whom he interacted.
Naidoo said, however, that things were improving in terms of compliance in most areas nationally.
“By far, the streets are literally clean and the majority of people have been heeding the call and staying home. Hot spot areas include Mamelodi, Soshanguve and Alexandra. [People from] Soweto have been very good and they must be commended,” Naidoo said.
“Our people must understand that we’re at war with the Covid-19 virus and not the people out there. We need solidarity in this fierce battle. It is not our intention to arrest people, but we will do so if they do not cooperate and are stubborn.”
Asked if any kind of crime had been sparked as a result of the lockdown, Naidoo said it had “actually helped us to take crime down”.
He did not clarify his statement or give any figures.
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