Police Minister Bheki Cele says he and SAPS management regrets the conduct displayed by officers during the arrest of a group of Muslims who violated the COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

Cele was answering questions from National Freedom Party (NFP) MP Manzoor Shaikh Imam during the committee on police briefing in Parliament on Monday.

Imam asked Cele about the latest developments into the investigations of the conduct of the officer.

A video circulated on social media showed police entering the place of worship in Masibekela in the Mbuzini area in Mpumalanga, being overly excessive when breaking up the congregation and insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Imam says he wrote to Cele asking him to intervene in the matter.

He says while Cele did not apologise for officers arresting the worshippers violating the lockdown, he did say their conduct was unacceptable.

“What he will not accept he said is when a police officer makes derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Minister reiterates his point yes indeed what happened there was unfortunate that disciplinary steps are being taken and whoever the perpetrators are or who have made these derogatory remarks will be found guilty than the necessary action will be taken against those police officers.”

Imam also says Masaajid are unlikely to be opened up soon for congregational salaah as per discussions in parliament.

“I can tell you now without any doubt that that is not going to happen unfortunately. If you look at the different levels and what is allowed and what is not allowed, the opening of masaajid and things are probably only come in at level 2 or level 1.”

Imam also touched on the Masaajid opening during lockdown court case and conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

Listen to the full interview with MP Manzoor Shaikh Imam