89 police officers arrested since COVID-19 lockdown

Cele made the remarks in Durban - where he conducted an oversight visit on Wednesday. 

He says one of the biggest challenges they are facing is having to arrest some of their own. 

"One hundred and thirty-one people, including councillors, health officials, correctional services have been arrested. Out of those, 89 of them are are SA police officers, especially selling the liquor."

"They confiscate the liquor, before stealing it and selling it. Simply put, nobody will escape the law. It doesn't matter who you are." says Cele.

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Cele says 30 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19. 

He says 11 of these officers are from the Western Cape. 

"Eleven members that tested positive are in Cape Town. We are glad that one of our members that was a serious [case] in KZN is out of ICU and is getting better. She was very serious at a certain point so as the SAPS, we have not lost any lives." says Cele.

He added that the number of serious crimes nationally has come down drastically since the lockdown - and he believes the ban on the sale of liquor has played a part.

He compared stats from the past three weeks to the same period last year.

Cele says there were over 1 500 murders committed during this period last year.

He says there's been a "remarkable decrease for domestic-related crimes. These include but not exclusive to murder, attempted murder, rape and sexual assault."

"The national picture reflects a decrease by 69,4% from 9 990 cases between 29 March and 22 April last year to 3 061 since the lockdown until 20 April 2020, meaning a difference of 6 929."

See the graphs below: 

Cele says at the end of the initial 21-day lockdown period "almost 107 000 cases opened and over 118 000 people charged" for various crimes.