MORE than 240 people have been arrested in Empangeni over the past month for flouting lockdown regulations.
Police have reported a general disregard of the regulations since the downgrading to Level 4.
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Roadblocks, patrols and inspections conducted by SAPS and SANDF uncovered businesses trading without permits, overloaded taxis and illicit trading of alcohol and cigarettes taking place in broad daylight.
Police say many locals claimed they did not know or understand the regulations.
Arrests included an 18-year-old man charged for being in possession of ciders, vodka and three packs of cigarettes.
In another incident, four people sitting in a car in Kildare were arrested.
They claimed they were out buying biltong, but were charged for not abiding by the curfew times.
At a recent roadblock, four taxi drivers were apprehended for carrying 15-17 passengers in single loads, travelling outside the prescribed curfew times, and for not having permits.
Routine patrols have resulted in supermarket managers and informal traders being charged for selling cooked food, while three men were arrested for washing cars in Rex Henderson Street.
King Cetshwayo SAPS spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said the sale of alcohol was an ongoing problem in the area.
‘We made it clear that this is not allowed at Level 4, however, police had to step in last week and arrest a 55-year-old shebeen owner in Empangeni who was found to be operating.
‘A resident in Mabhuyeni Reserve was also taken in for making home-brewed alcohol.’
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