Swazi Observer

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MOTORISTS WITHOUT MASKS FINED E50

By VUYILE DLAMINI | 2020-04-30

Mbabane- A directive from the National Commissioner of Police William Tsitsibala Dlamini for all motorists to wear masks was enforced on Monday when a number of motorists were fined E50 for not wearing facial masks.

This was implemented a day after Dlamini sent a strong warning to the public on Sunday stating that all motorists and passengers were required to protect themselves from COVID-19 by wearing facial masks.

Monday being the first day of the strengthened COVID-19 partial lockdown came crashing down as a wave of reality to a number of motorists who were stopped and fined for not wearing facial masks while driving their vehicles. Most of the motorists had been driving towards Manzini city from surrounding areas, and were stopped by law enforcers conducting roadblocks.

The law enforcers, including the police, hmcs and soldiers, have been deployed nationwide in order to maintain order, and ensure that members of the public stay home during the strengthened partial lockdown.

Sabelo* stated that he was on his way from Nhlambeni to his workplace in town when he was stopped by police officers near KaShali in Ngwane Park.

“I was not expecting to be fined for not wearing a mask as I was under the impression that members of the public would be given more time to purchase the masks. I was shocked when I was told to alight from my vehicle and I was fined E50 for not having worn it while driving,” Sabelo said. Saeblo added that although he thought that a letter from his employer would get him off the hook, he was fined anyway.

In a statement over the weekend, Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi pleaded with the nation to protect each other by wearing facial masks whenever they were outside.

As it stands, the country has 91 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

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