Pastor Bheki Ngcobo pays fine for breaking lockdown regulations

Bishop Bheki Ngcobo paid an admission of guilt fine in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, on Friday 15 May, for failing to confine to his residence during the lockdown. 

The Bishop allegedly went against the lockdown regulations between 27 March 2020 and 30 April 2020.

Ngcobo made headlines for pledging to defy lockdown regulations by gathering thousands of his supporters for an Easter pilgrimage. He also said “Ramaphosa is not God,” encouraging people to gather despite the risk of contracting COVID-19 and the lockdown regulations.

Ngcobo’s statement was also considered as spreading fake news on social media. 

WANTED DURING LOCKDOWN 

During COVID-19 policing operations in preventing gatherings over the Easter period, the police were searching for Ngcobo to obtain a warning statement but could not contact him. Ngcobo’s family mentioned that he had gone to the mountains to pray in solitude with nothing more than fruit for sustenance.

Ngcobo’s cellphone records and photographic evidence showed that he had not confined himself to where he said he was. In light of this evidence presented by Acting Regional Court Prosecutor, Ronitha Singh, Ngcobo opted to acknowledge guilt by paying the Admission of Guilt fine of R1 500, which is the maximum fine for this offence.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the responsibility that Ngcobo has taken for his actions. 

“He is the leader of a large religious movement, and many people look up to him for guidance. He has accepted that what he has done is wrong, and he has done the honourable thing by pleading guilty,” said the NPA. 

“In this way, he accepts that whilst everyone has a right to Freedom of Expression, and Freedom of Movement, the limitation is justifiable within the current COVID-19 pandemic. He has affirmed to his congregants that the Rule of Law must always prevail,” it added. 

NGCOBO ARRESTED 

Ngcobo was arrested on Saturday 2 May in Bluff, Durban, having left his home and headed for the hills. 

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that he had been charged with contravening the Disaster Management Act, as well as inciting supporters to defy the regulations on social media. 

“[Ngcobo has been charged with contravention of Section 27(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act], as well as a charge pertaining to any person who publishes any statement through any medium including social media with the intention to deceive any other person about any measure taken by the Government to address COVID-19”.

Ngcobo was released on bail of R3 000 the next day and was expected to appear in court on 8 May.