Police in Bulawayo on Sunday morning dispersed worshippers who had gathered at a shrine for prayers as well some women who were playing soccer in violation of lockdown regulations.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube revealed that a group of Apostolic sect worshippers was conducting an illegal church service in Selbourne Park suburb while the football match was being played in Mzilikazi. Said Ncube:
This morning (yesterday) we received a tip-off from members of the public that some members of an Apostolic sect had gathered for a church service in Selbourne Park suburb and we immediately deployed our officers to their place of worship.
We also dispersed some women who were playing soccer at Mzilikazi Youth Centre this morning (yesterday) and as police, we don’t condone such kind of behaviour. People should comply with Government COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Insp Ncube reminded citizens that observing lockdown regulations was not for pleasing the police but to safeguard their health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He said:
It is quite disturbing to note that we have some rogue elements who are not taking Covid-19 seriously. They only comply when there are police officers in the vicinity which should not be the case because complying with regulations is not meant to please the police but to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 40 000 people have been arrested countrywide for disregarding the stay at home order.
Under the lockdown regulations, all public gatherings are banned, except for funerals where not more than 50 people are allowed to attend.