A father claims he was fined R1500 by cops - for merely standing in his driveway and calling in his six-year-old son who was playing in the street.
Justin Alfred, 24, of Delft, is a painter but is currently unemployed during the national lockdown. He says he will not be able to pay the fine to the City of Cape Town.
Justin’s troubles began on Tuesday morning as his son played outside their home in Toplin Street, Voorbrug.
He says he had warned his laaitie not to play outside during lockdown, but that the little boy disobeyed him.
DISOBEY: Justin's son played in the street when told not to. Picture: Jack Lestrade
“I was lying on my bed and we live in a separate entrance on the property when my sister came running inside to say that Law Enforcement was calling me,” he says.
“My sister said the Law Enforcement had my child.”
Justin says he stood on his property and handed his identity document to the Law Enforcement officers who had asked for it.
He was then issued with a fine, which states: “Failed to remain confined to his residence during lockdown period”.
“I am not even sure why they gave me the fine because I was not outside,” he argues.
“I was standing inside the property when they called me, I was at the gate.”
Justin says he warned his son not to play outside: “I have told my son not to play outside and it was only when my sister called me that I realised he was outside in the street. I said he must play in the driveway.
“He went outside without my permission and did not listen to me.
“They gave me a fine and they were the ones who called me outside of my home.”
Justin says he is unable to pay the fine: “I am a painter and with the lockdown, I am unemployed.
PAY: Painter can’t afford the R1500 fine. Picture: Jack Lestrade
“I am very unhappy about this because I have been following the lockdown restrictions.”
Neighbour Jeanette Blom, 87, says children do not listen to the lockdown restrictions.
“The children do not want to listen to their parents and we as adults do speak to the children,” she says.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, has warned that if people are caught disobeying restrictions, they would be arrested or fined.
The Daily Voice contacted the City of Cape Town, but they did not respond to queries by the time of going to print.