Non-compliance with lockdown regulations could result in a criminal record

14 Jul 2020

Government has taken a harder stance regarding lockdown regulations, as can be seen by Sunday's announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa, of the reintroduction of the ban on alcohol as well as the nightly curfew.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

“Also, there are some sections of the lockdown regulations,” says Jonathan Goldberg: joint-CEO of Global Business Solutions, “which attract criminal sanctions.”

A driver or operator of any form of public transport who does not wear a cloth face mask, homemade item or another appropriate item which covers the nose and mouth commits an offence. As a result, he could – if convicted - face a fine, a prison term of up to six months or both. This applies to the following people as well:

A manager or owner of a building, place or premises including a government building or location used by the public to obtain goods or services
An employer
The principal of a school, manager or owner of an early childhood development centre.

Any person who violates the lockdown regulations concerning, among others, night vigils, evictions, initiation practices, public transport as well as the sale of liquor and tobacco commits an offence and, on conviction, is liable for a fine, up to a six-month prison term or both.

“However,” concludes Goldberg, “the regulations say that people must wear a mask that covers nose and mouth when in public places but not wearing a mask is not criminalised.”