Seventeen worshipers were arrested in Pretoria West on Friday when police found them congregating and praying, contravening the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
A video, which has since gone viral, shows the arrest of the men who were congregating at what appears to be a mosque.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said the men were arrested by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), who had been conducting patrols in the area when they were alerted to the group which was contravening regulations.
“The members responded to the complaint and found a group of people converged in a building at Retief Street, Pretoria West. The group were preparing to worship when they were discovered.”
Vish Naidoo
This comes as Muslims enter the sacred and holy period of Ramadan where they will fast for one month until Eid. The period started on Thursday 23 April and will end on 23 May.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has since wished all the musilims well during the holy period.
