Covid-19 Updates

Criminals take the gap during COVID-19 lockdown

Cities across the country may be on lockdown, but that hasn’t stopped criminals. From police killings to drug busts and break-ins, law enforcement authorities have had their hands full in Cape Town.

Within three days of the lockdown, 14 people were nabbed in the CBD alone for breaking into businesses that are closed during the lockdown. Three hundred public safety officers are now on duty around the clock to protect properties.

“These are guys that we know in the CBD, that roam around, where there were no opportunities before, they seem opportunity now,” said Mo Hendricks of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District. Once we made those initial arrests over the last three days, we haven’t had one reported case since then.

Coronavirus

In a more gruesome crime, four men were nabbed in the act of trying to dump three bodies in the sea. The deceased is believed to have been shot and stabbed. Their bodies were wrapped in blankets on the back of a bakkie.

Police are also still on the hunt for two suspects who attacked and killed a constable in Khayelitsha during a robbery over the weekend.  Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday

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Send HI to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp. The NICD has another Clinician Hotline to improve #COVID19 communication and support for healthcare providers. The Clinician Hotline is 0800 11 1131, operating 24 hrs. The Public Hotline is 0800 029 999 also operating 24hrs.

In other news – Government could extend lockdown – expert

Public Law Expert Cathy Powell says government could extend the lockdown if needed. South Africa recorded its first COVID-19 death on Friday, the same day the national lockdown began.

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Powell says the state of national disaster is valid for three months. South Africa’s first day of lockdown brought with it some challenges as police made several arrests after people contravened regulations. Powell says the rules and government’s deployment of the army could have been handled differently. Read more

Source: eNCA