A bride, a groom, a priest and dozens of guests were arrested after defying lockdown rules for a wedding in South Africa.
Jabulani Zulu, 48, and his bride Nomthandazo Mkhize, 38, said ‘I do’ in KwaZulu Natal province shortly before South African army officers stormed their wedding brandishing guns and wearing face masks.
The country is on its second week of a nation-wide lockdown to slow the spread of the virus, which has killed 11 people and infected more than 1,600.
A bride and groom were been arrested in Nseleni, northern KwaZulu-Natal, a short while ago. Police sources have confirmed to @TimesLIVE that the pastor, groomsmen and bridesmaids were also arrested for contravening regulations around the lockdown. @SundayTimesZA pic.twitter.com/4C0tru2fXr
— Orrin Singh (@orrin417) April 5, 2020
Footage taken after the raid shows the groom helping his wife – still clad in her gown – into the back of a police car.
They were arrested for breaching rules set out in the Disaster Management Act but were released on £43 bail, the Zululand Observer reports.
A concerned member of the public called the police to report the party.
Police spokesman Vish Naidoo was asked whether the pastor and attendees were aware that the country was in a lockdown and also practicing social distancing policies.
“Well, I think the whole nation is aware,” Mr. Naidoo said. “But people are still trying to take chances not realising the seriousness of this virus. I don’t think they can have any reasonable explanation to be continuing with that wedding.”
