DA concerned about the lack of metro police patrolling Tshwane streets on first two days of lockdown

29 March 2020

The Democratic Alliance (DA) urgently calls on the Tshwane Administrator, Mpho Nawa, to do a better job of ensuring the metro police enforce the lockdown.

There was a clear lack of metro police visibility on day 1 and 2 of the 21-day lockdown period to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

It is Nawa’s job to ensure that more metro police are patrolling the streets so that COVID-19 regulations are not ignored and that the residents of Tshwane are protected by ensuring they stay at home.

Nawa should also assess which vehicles in the city's fleet are not in use due to the lockdown and deploy these to support metro police in expanding their ability to patrol.

Lack of metro police presence already led to defiance of the lockdown restrictions in places like Bronkhorstspruit, Mabopane, Soshanguve, Atteridgeville, Mamelodi and parts of Elarduspark and Moreleta Park.

Some residents were to be seen flouting the lockdown and roaming the streets, and some were even selling ice cream.

This is particularly concerning as a death was reported in the Western Cape and the total number of people in the country who have tested positive for Coronavirus exceeded 1000.

Visible policing is critical in enforcing the lockdown and protecting Tshwane residents.

The DA is committed to support government in dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.

And municipalities throughout the country must play their part in keeping residents at home.

It is also important for police and army personnel to be adequately trained and instructed to perform their duties correctly during the lockdown, including the way they interact with the public.

Issued by Randall Williams, DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate, 29 March 2020