If you’re caught in breach of lockdown regulations, you could be fined for as much as R5000 and end up with a criminal record.
The judiciary has issued a list of offences under the Disaster Management Act that carry admission of guilt fines of between R500 and R5000. These include being caught transporting or selling alcohol and spreading fake news about COVID-19.
Judiciary spokesperson Nathi Mncube reportedly told News24 the chief magistrate determined fines annually, but that there was particular interest in the latest fines, owing to lockdown regulations.
“In terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, these fines are issued every year in agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).”
Some of the offences that will result in a R5000 fine include:
- Unauthorised disclosure of information in the COVID-19 tracing database;
- Failure to de-identify and destroy information on COVID-19 tracing database within six weeks after the state of disaster has ended;
- Making intentional misrepresentations on any person infected with COVID-19;
- Publishing any statement to deceive another person about COVID-19, to deceive any person about the COVID-19 infection status of another person, or to deceive any person about any measures taken by the government to address COVID-19;
- Intentionally exposing another person to COVID-19;
- Executing an eviction order;
- Illegal gatherings in public places;
- Selling, transporting, dispensing or distributing liquor;
- Selling tobacco products; and
- Hindering, interfering with or obstructing law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties.
A R3000 fine may be issued for failing to close a non-essential business and a R2000 fine for selling non-essential goods.
Offences with a R1000 fine or less, include:
- failure to confine yourself to your home and moving between provinces (outside of the grace period)
- breaking the stay-home curfew between 8 pm and 5 am without a permit
A R500 fine for running, cycling, walking beyond 5km of your residence and outside the allocated hours of 06:00 and 09:00.
According to reports, paying an admission of guilt fine will most likely result in a criminal record.
