*Media Statement*

*For Immediate Release*

*01 July 2021*

*MONITORING OF COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 REGULATIONS INTENSIFIES AS THE THREAT OF A THIRD WAVE LOOMS FOR KZN*

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has intensified the monitoring of compliance with Covid-19 regulations under Alert Level 4 as infections continue to rise.

This afternoon MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Mr Ravi Pillay, together with MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, embarked on unannounced compliance inspections at various establishments in uMhlanga, north of Durban.

Sites visited included restaurants, a retail supermarket and a hotel along the normally bustling Chartwell Drive.  This forms part of the province’s new battle plan to counter rising Covid-19 infections as announced by Premier Sihle Zikalala this week. The Premier said the plan places a focus on hotspots and beefing law enforcement teams and operations throughout the province.

This evening’s compliance monitoring operation did not only focus on the enforcement of regulations but also served as an opportunity for the MECs to take stock of the impact of Covid-19 on businesses and tourism establishments.

Joining the MECs during the multi-disciplinary compliance operation were members of the SAPS, eThekwini Metro Police and officials from EDTEA, Durban Tourism, the Liquor Authority, Home Affairs and Labour department.
Both MECs expressed general satisfaction with the level of compliance by the businesses that were visited.

“We have a combination of enforcement and compliance and being educative and supportive at the same time. On the side of compliance generally here in this area, it has been reasonably good. There is a business in this vicinity that was closed down months ago for non-compliance with licensing requirements and illegal sale of alcohol. That is just an example that there is no area that is exempt from compliance. Umhlanga is a flagship tourist area and if there is non-compliance we have to enforce. But at the same time we have to educative and we are quite pleased with the reaction of managers,” said MEC Pillay.

MEC Nkonyeni said the multi-disciplinary operation will become a regular feature in the province in the coming days and will be intensified to ensure compliance with Alert Level 4 regulations. “We will be going everywhere. We will be checking bus ranks and taxi ranks to ensure that people are really compliant with Covid-19 Alert Level 4 regulations,” said MEC Nkonyeni.

The MECs later joined law enforcement officers in a roadblock on the busy M4 highway.

During the roadblock 180 vehicles were stopped in less than two hours resulting in 27 prosecutions for different traffic offences. These ranges from drivers caught driving unlicensed vehicles, driving without driving licences and driving unroadworthy vehicles.

MEC Nkonyeni said the roadblock also focused on ensuring that public transport operators and commuters complied with Covid-19 regulations including the wearing of masks.


ENDS

*ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT*
*Enquiries contact Provincial Government Spokesperson Lennox Mabaso on 082 884 2403 OR Gugu Sisilana 082 889 3474*