By: Nosipho Haya Komisa
Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC in the Eastern Cape Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe has appealed to transport stakeholders and communities to refrain from breaking lockdown regulations.
This after the Aberdeen Magistrate Court on Tuesday sentenced taxi driver Mbuyiselo ‘Mawawa’ Lobi to pay R12 000 or 12 months imprisonment of which half is suspended for 5 years.
Lobi was arrested in April this year for issuing fraudulent death certificates which enabled hundreds of people to travel in contravention of the Disaster Management Act during National Lockdown Level 5 on the N9 and R61 between Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
MEC Tikana-Gxothiwe has uploaded the Eastern Cape law enforcement officers for their tireless work.
“His sentencing on Tuesday (25 August 2020) in the Aberdeen Magistrate Court, should be a constant reminder to those who continue to break the law that the law will deal with them harshly. Crime indeed does not pay.”
Tikana-Gxothiwe is pleading to the communities to work together with the law enforcement officers when they enforce lockdown regulations in their communities.
“We urge our people to continue to support law enforcement officers when they operate in our communities to safeguard our interests. Together, we can form a united barrier to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and ensure that justice is dealt harshly onto those who dare break the regulations,” said Tikana-Gxothiwe.
The MEC further called on the public to be vigilant as the fight against the spread of COVID-19 is still on.
“Eastern Cape communities must remain vigilant and on high alert as the country is still battling with Coronavirus. The fact that we are on level 2 does not mean that we must let our guard down and be irresponsible,” she said.