Authorities in South Africa, specifically the South African Police (SAPS), have apprehended a bride, groom, a priest, and over 40 guests for disregarding the lockdown order by conducting their wedding in Richards Bay, a town in KwaZulu-Natal.
The arrest took place during their ceremony, and those taken into custody are currently being held in police cells at Empangeni Station.
SAPS National Spokesperson, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, stated that prosecutors will provide guidance on the charges the suspects will face.
“People are still taking chances, not realizing the seriousness of this virus.
“For now, I don’t think they can have any reasonable explanation for continuing with that wedding. We will be interviewing each one individually.
“The charges will be put to them, they have definitely contravened the regulations of the Disaster Management Act.
“The prosecutor will guide us on exactly which charges will be preferred against them. I don’t think we can be expecting any explanation from them at this point in time unless we have spoken to the senior prosecutor.”
It is anticipated that those arrested will be arraigned in court on April 6 for violating the lockdown order.
Here are more photos and videos below;
A couple arrested on their wedding day at Nseleni in KwaZulu-Natal for violating the lockdown rules and regulations as they decided not to postpone their big day 4 pic.twitter.com/c9CuZz6gzr
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) April 5, 2020
View this post on InstagramBride, Groom, Priest and over 40 guests arrested at Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, for violating total lockdown order in South Africa
The South African government had imposed a 21-day total lockdown over Coronavirus, which commenced from midnight on March 26, 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the necessity of avoiding a human catastrophe and instructed the army to enforce the restrictions.