Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:52 pm
South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele apologized to the Muslim community Sunday for blasphemous statement made by a police officer while arresting worshippers for breaching coronavirus lockdown rules.
Cele’s apology came hours after a video clip circulated on social media showing police officers arresting 24 worshipers in Mpumalanga province Saturday.
At the end of the clip, one officer is heard asking the worshippers: “Are you bigger than the president? Is Muhammad bigger than the president?”
South Africans are currently observing a lockdown due to the novel coronavirus which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on March 27. They are not allowed to leave their homes or congregate in churches or mosques.
Police said the arrested worshippers contravened the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations in relation to the prohibition of gatherings and will be charged or fined.
National Police spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said in a statement that the comments made by the officer are “rather unfortunate, and it is unacceptable that someone could make such an utterance.’’
He said the police management has directed that the matter be investigated and the person or persons who made the comment be identified and punished.
South Africa has one of the highest numbers of COVID-19 infections on the continent with 4,546 confirmed cases and 87 deaths.
Muslims make up about 3.5% of the country’s population of 57 million. Despite their numbers, they actively participate in various sectors of the country’s economy, including business, academia, civil service and politics.
(AA)
Links between the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria have reached an important milestone with the resumption of daily Emirates Airlines…
As part of His Highness' working visit to Egypt, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency…
United Arab Emirates will invest $23 billion over five years in next-generation low-carbon energy, such as hydrogen and ammonia, to…
After making a memorable appearance at the WellChild Awards in the United Kingdom, Prince Harry landed at his next destination…
Tanzanian music sensation Diamond Platnumz, best known for her hit ‘Komasava’, is set to take on Nigeria's finest artists at…
Oliver Mawuse Barker Vormawor, the organiser of the ‘StopGalamseyNow’ demonstration, and 11 other demonstrators have been remanded in custody until…
This website uses cookies.