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Lockdown scuffle leaves man dead, police arrested

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The Independent Police Investigative Directorate  (IPID) has arrested a Ekurhuleni Metro Police officer in connection with the fatal shooting of a man at Vosloorus township, in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

A 45-year-old civilian was also arrested along with the EMPD officer.

They are expected to appear before Boksburg Regional Court tomorrow.

It is alleged a scuffle ensued after EMPD officers tried to arrest people who were drinking liquor at a local tavern, flouting the lockdown regulations.

IPID Spokesperson Sontaga Seisa says their investigations are continuing.

“It is alleged that the police tried to effect an arrest and the same people together with some community members started to attack them. Police then discharged the rubber bullets. It is further alleged that the deceased was followed up to his veranda home where he was fatally shot at. It is reported that there are other persons including minors aged 5 years old, 6 years old and 11 years old twins that were also injured and were taken to the nearby medical facilities for treatment.”

Meanwhile, police and local councillors are monitoring people at grocery shops in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, to ensure residents adhere to the rules.

Many residents have again been standing in long queues, to try and get food and other essentials – since the early hours of the morning.

City of Johannesburg Councillor Zodwa Tlale says, “I was here since 7 o’clock this morning to try and control the social distancing to tell them they shouldn’t come next to each other. We also spoke to the shop owners that when people go inside they must spend at least 10 minutes because the queues are long. Even the police came to assist. People know about the virus it’s just that its month end and people have just been paid. It’s an indication of the inequality of this country.”

On Day 1 of the lockdown on Friday, concerns were raised around the visibility of the police and the South African Defence Force in townships after the lockdown came into effect at midnight on Thursday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially deployed the SANDF on Thursday evening to assist the police after declaring the 21-day national lockdown on Monday.

Despite this, it was been business as usual in many townships around Gauteng.

Many residents of townships like Alexandra, Soweto and Diepsloot in the north of Johannesburg stood in snaking queues to buy groceries as they only received their pay checks on Thursday night.

They complained about the absence of law enforcement in their areas.

In this video below, SABC News reporter Maageketla Mohlabe, give updates on Alexandra Township on the 21-day lockdown:

There are more than 3000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the African continent, with a number of African countries imposing a range of prevention and containment measures against the spread of the pandemic.

In the video below, SABC News Foreign Editor Sophie Mokoena joins Aldrin Sampear on the line to talk about the situation in Africa:

SA coronavirus confirmed cases card attached as of 29 March 2020:

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