IT is just an everyday ‘public holiday’ for residents of Ilinge Township just outside Komani, despite the fact that the country is on national lockdown to fight the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Early last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the country would be placed under a temporary lockdown for 21 days in an effort to control the spread of Covid-19, only allowing for essential personnel and those needing medical care to leave their homes for a limited period.
Despite the call from the first citizen of the country, the residents of Ilinge Township and other people are seen roaming around doing their usual businesses while others are seen drunk in public, even though the sale of alcohol during the 21-day lockdown is strictly prohibited, according to the newly amended State of Disaster regulations.
When Komani-Karoo Express asked one of the residents where they had bought alcohol, the man, who did not want to be mentioned by name, said, “We beg tavern owners to sell us alcohol while the police van is on the other side of the township.”
Since the national lockdown started on Friday morning, there has been no sign of South African National Defence Force members in Ilinge. Only one police van drove around the main street of the township monitoring local taverns to prevent the sale of alcohol.
No comment could be obtained from the provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana, at the time of going to print.
