Senior police officers declare war on bulging bellies

Tshwane Central Police Cluster commander Major-General Yvonne Botsheleng said if there is one thing that remains from the days of disgraced former national police commissioner Bheki Cele, it is that he instructed police officers to get into shape and lose their bulging bellies.

Botsheleng yesterday institutionalised a fitness assessment session for station commanders and senior officials from seven police stations.

Although there was no excessive huffing and puffing, some officers did seem to be unfit and suffering. Officers took part in a 1.6km timed walk, pacer running tests, one minute of push-ups and one minute of sit-ups in which certain targets had to be reached to meet the required standards.

Botsheleng said: “You can’t chase criminals if your stomach is out and your chest in. It must be chest out and stomach in.”

She added that if officers took better care of their health, it would decrease sick leave days. She launched the cluster gym during February this year.

Ever since, weekly aerobic and yoga classes take place on Wednesdays. Leading by example, Botsheleng often attends the classes.