16 Apr 2020

Law enforcement officers are not wrong to demand permits at roadblocks, says Senior Superintendent Peter Gochela.

He said the officers were simply enforcing extreme social distancing regulations.

Senior Superintendent Gochela was responding to complaints from some public transport operators who have been engaged to transport essential workers.

They said some police officers were not cooperative and that they charged them for transporting members of the community with no travel permits. They said some had pressing issues while others were on their way to apply for permits.

They said some police officers turned back customers with no permits thus affecting their business.

“We are now confused as we are given contradicting information.

Some officers allow people to go to the shops without permits while others demand permits. We are in the dark and contemplating to stop our service,” said Ms Galetshabe Rantaung.

She said about 15 transport operators had been issued with COVID-19 travel permits, and said government should assist them with fuel as their service was a response to the pandemic.

Another minibus operator, Mr Mezias Dube said he also wished law enforcement officers could be lenient and cooperative as they were sacrificing their lives.

However, Senior Superintendent Gochela said the law was clear and they had to ensure 100 per cent compliance.

He appreciated that some officers were using their discretion to assess each case on its merits, saying the officers were just implementing COVID-19 regulations. Ends