Paying an admission of guilt fine for not wearing a mask in public, will result in the offender getting a 10-year criminal record.

Since the use of face masks in public became compulsory, thousands of people have been arrested across the country.

On conviction, a person is liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.

Fines for not wearing a mask range from R300 to R1 500.

Legal expert Sabber Ahmed Jazbhai says there are long-lasting effects for those found guilty.

Jazbhai says, “If a person is arrested and charged then, of course, he will he will be brought before the criminal court then what happens he will be charged and if he is convicted then there is a record against his name permanently and that has a ripple effect on various factors and I am at pain to say to people, obey the law, masking is important.”

#COVERUP campaign encourages South Africans to wear masks