South Africa is still under lockdown due to coronavirus and Amended regulations to the State of Disaster have been disclosed.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said all public gatherings have been prohibited, except funerals, which have been capped at 50 mourners per funeral and no night vigils allowed.
“In terms of the new regulations that have just been gazetted, Police will be responsible to ensure the restriction of movement of persons and goods.
“Therefore, there shall be absolutely no gatherings other than for a funeral, where the number of mourners will be restricted to 50.
“Still on funerals, we need to emphasise that even night vigils will be prohibited,” said Cele
More than 100 People Gathered Together for Funeral in a church opposite Hatfield Police Station Pretoria. They was no presence of police to make sure all rules and regulations are followed.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW
Lemme leave it here nizibonele black folks #ShimzaMustFall#day16oflockdown#ChinaLiedAndPeopleDied pic.twitter.com/7GJ0JgdVhU
— 👑Dlangamandla👑 (@Gaise_Nongedzi) April 11, 2020
The regulations now outline a process on how people — who wish to travel between provinces or metropolitan and district areas to attend a burial or cremation — can obtain a permit.
Only the following people, who live outside a province or metropolitan and district areas, may attend a funeral:
- spouse or partner of the deceased;
- children of the deceased, whether biological, adopted or stepchildren.
- children-in-law of the deceased;
- parents of the deceased – whether biological, adopted or stepparents;
- siblings, whether biological, adopted or stepbrother or sister of the deceased;
- grandparents of the deceased; and
- persons closely affiliated to the deceased.
The current prohibition of 50 persons attending a funeral is still in effect. The holding of night vigils is still prohibited.
The permit may be obtained from a Magistrate or a station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her.
In order to obtain a permit a Magistrate, who is the head of office or a station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her, must be provided with a death certificate or a certified copy of a death certificate.
A permit holder may stay at a hotel, lodge or guesthouse for the duration of the funeral or cremation. The permit must be presented to the owner or manager of the hotel, lodge or guesthouse.