Swazi Observer

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NDMA ISSUES STRONG WARNING TO INSTITUTIONS

By SIFISO DLAMINI | 2020-11-30

THE National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has issued a stern warning to organisations, institutions and individuals who continue to contravene the COVID-19 regulations.

NDMA Chief Executive Officer Russell Dlamini has sternly warned that the contravention of the regulations will be met with the required punitive measures as more and more organisations and institutions are reported to contravening the restriction and prohibitation of gatherings section of the regulations.

Information gathered by this publication is to the effect that the NDMA has received a number of reports involving institutions and organisations who were holding gatherings without adhering to the provisions of the regulations.

One of the organisations is alleged to be a member of one of the security forces where they are reported to have held a meeting where there were more than 100 participants and their meeting lasting for over four hours. Worth noting was that the institution refuted the allegations.

Dlamini reminded the nation that the ongoing pandemic was not a joke as the number of positive cases continues to rise.

consequences

“This is not a joke and all those who contravene the regulations should be aware that they will have to face the consequences for doing such,” he said.

He said the increasing number of cases was of great concern and threatened to undo all the good work that has been done so far in response to the pandemic.

He further warned all those who contravened the regulations that the punitive measures would be affected accordingly. He stated that the regulations were there for a reason and pleaded with all to adhere to the provided preventive measures. Dlamini insisted that a person who contravenes a provision of regulations shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding E25 000.00 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years.

Section 4 (1) of the COVID-19 regulations provides that a gathering or any assembly, concourse or procession of more than 20 persons in a closed area; or 100 persons in an open area, is prohibited.

Sub-Section (2) provides that notwithstanding sub- regulation (1), the number of people attending a wedding ceremony, funeral or memorial service or an art or entertainment event in a closed area shall not exceed hundred 100 or 200 hundred if held in an open area; and a community meeting shall not exceed 200.

The regulations also provide that a gathering shall not last for more than two hours 30 minutes.

The minister may, upon application, grant approval for holding a gathering anticipated to last more than 2 hours thirty minutes; or be attended by more people than the numbers prescribed in the regulation.

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