In line with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s new plan to flatten the COVID-19 alarming new infections, the City’s Metro Police officers clamped down on various establishments found to be non-compliant to COVID-19 regulations and NMBM water restrictions in place.
The operation intensified from Friday, 30 October 2020, when Metro Police officers inspected car wash businesses to ensure compliance with the water restrictions put in place to save water.
To curb the increasing COVID-19 infections, the officers targeted liquor outlets around Port Elizabeth and closed down six establishments in Central.
NMBM Metro Police Head, Commissioner Yolande Faro said: “We had a very successful operation this weekend and covered various kinds of crime with the help of the South African Police Service in some operations. We closed down the Engen Carwash in Greenacres and issued a fine of R2000 as they did not comply with the prohibition notice. Follow up inspections will be taken to ensure the carwash is closed.”
“We made a number of arrests on drunk driving charges, one was arrested on Friday at Parliament Street and charged additionally for reckless, negligent driving and breaking the mid-night curfew. We stopped and searched vehicles and did patrols at seven beach areas. We removed illegal car guards from the Hobie Beach. We were satisfied to find six liquor outlets in compliance in Summerstrand and they closed at 12am.”
However, Commissioner Faro said that was not the case for six liquor outlets that had to be closed down on Saturday, 31 October 2020 in Central following a compliance inspection.
She said Loxion Club, Posh Lounge, Moonlight Lounge, Captains Lounger, Destiny Lounge and Question Spot Bar were closed down due to non-compliance.
“Our police officers responded to another club complaint at Valley Club and Gallery Nightclub. There were a big crowds outside and inside the establishments. There was overcrowding at Gallery Nightclub, on our arrival there were about 500 people outside; drinking and they were very noisy. It was young people between the ages 14 years and 23 years. Bottles were thrown on the ground for reasons unknown. On further investigation we found that there were about 1000 people inside the establishment with no masks on, no social distancing and the owners failed to produce the certificate of population on demand.”
“We closed the roads leading to the establishment immediately, the facility was closed down and a docket was opened at Humewood Police Station in contravention of the Disaster Management Act. We will continue with these operations in partnership with other stakeholders when necessary. Everyone needs to understand that COVID-19 is not over and they need to adhere to the regulations.”
Other operations conducted included crime prevention patrols across the City and shot spotter responses.
NMB Communications
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