Bishop Bheki Ngcobo paid a R1500 admission of guilt fine in the Durban Magistrates Court for failing to confine himself to his residence during the national COVID-19 lockdown period. Police were unable to contact Ngcobo at his residence during an Easter period operation to prevent gatherings. Phone records and photos showed he had not confined himself as claimed. The prosecutor presented evidence of this, so Ngcobo acknowledged guilt by paying the maximum fine. The NPA recognizes Ngcobo for taking responsibility as a religious leader, and acknowledging restrictions on movement during the pandemic.

1. MEDIA STATEMENT: BISHOPACKNOWLEDGESGUILT FORFAILINGTO CONFINETO RESIDENCE DURING
LOCKDOWN
15 May 2020
Durban: BishopBheki NgcobopaidanAdmissionof Guiltfineinthe DurbanMagistratesCourttoday,for
failingtoconfine tohisresidence during the nation-wide lockdownbetween27March 2020 and 30 April
2020.
DuringCOVID-19policingoperationsinpreventinggatheringsoverthe Easterperiod,the police wentin
searchof Ngcoboto obtaina warningstatementbutcouldnotcontact him.Hisfamily mentionedthat
he had gone to the mountainstopray insolitude withnothingmore thanfruitforsustenance.
However,hiscellphone recordsandphotographicevidence showedthathe hadnotconfinedhimself to
where he saidhe was.In lightof thisevidence presentedbyActingRegionalCourtProsecutor,Ronitha
Singh,Ngcobooptedtoacknowledge guiltbypayingthe Admissionof Guiltfine of R1500.00, whichis
the maximumfine forthisoffence.
The National ProsecutingAuthoritywelcomesthe responsibilitythatBishopNgcobohastakenforhis
actions.He is the leaderof a large religiousmovement,andmanypeople lookuptohimforguidance.
He has acceptedthatwhat he has done iswrong,and he has done the honourable thingbypleading
guilty.Inthis way,he accepts thatwhilsteveryonehasa rightto Freedomof Expression,andFreedomof
Movement,the limitationisjustifiablewithinthe currentCOVID-19pandemic. He has affirmedtohis
congregantsthatthe Rule of Law mustalwaysprevail.
ENDS
Note:The NPA’smediastatementsare availableonthe website: www.npa.gov.za
Issuedby:
NatashaKara
Regional Spokesperson:DPPKZN
Enquiries:nramkisson@npa.gov.za

2. 0716700229