On Saturday police cornered a group of Muslim congregants that had gathered to pray in Mpumalanga. Picture: Screenshot.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has issued an apology to the Muslim community for blasphemous remarks made by an officer during the arrest of worshippers at a Mosque on Saturday.

The video of the arrest, where a police officer can be heard making the remarks during the arrest in Masibekela, Mpumalanga, has been doing the rounds on social media. Police had initially said the arrest was made in Pretoria.

The group of worshippers was arrested for contravening the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations, which prohibit gatherings, including religious assembly.

“Minister Cele has issued an apology to the Muslim community for the blasphemous remarks during the arrest, a matter that is currently under an urgent investigation by the SAPS to establish the identity of the person behind such sacrilege,” acting Police Ministry spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, said in a statement.

Peters said the police have a constitutional obligation to enforce the laws of the country, a duty to be executed within the confines of the same laws, applied with no prejudice against any gender, race or creed. 

#day30oflockdown It’s emerged that at least 17 people have been arrested in Pretoria West for allegedly performing prayer in congregation. Under the lockdown regulations, places of worship are closed & congregational prayer suspended. Video: Supplied. #Covid19inSA #StayAtHomeSA pic.twitter.com/ZcwDiDAdkj

— ⚡️?????? ℙ???? ?? (@FaizelPatel143) April 25, 2020

PRESS STATEMENT | The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa has condemned the abusive @SAPoliceService tactics in #LockdowSA law-enforcement seen in a widely-circulated social media clip, today. JUSA calls upon @SAHRCommission and @IPID_ZA to investigate the matter.#StayHome #Respect pic.twitter.com/3BAE0H6pdh

— Jamiatul Ulama SA (@Jamiatsa) April 25, 2020