Several people have been arrested for allegedly disregarding South Africa’s lockdown rules that officially kicked in at midnight on Thursday.

SABC News reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) raided taverns and clubs where people were gathering and drinking in the early hours of Friday morning.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a three-week national shutdown, as part of wide-ranging interventions to combat the spread of the novel corona virusThis week, ahead of the lockdown, Police Minister Bheki Cele warned of consequences for those who attempt to leave their homes, unless for essential purposes, such as buying groceries, seeking medical attention, collecting grants, buying medication, or emergencies.KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Tuesday that 19 people in the eThekwini Metro were under investigation for violating measures relating to the national state of disaster Ramaphosa declared.

Most of the 19 allegedly committed the offences at the Durban beachfront, where bathing in the ocean was prohibited because of the virus.

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