Sophiatown police come under fire from senior citizen
SOPHIATOWN – Station spokesperson says provisions will be made to ensure the station isn't a transferring ground for Covid-19.
A senior citizen is highly disappointed by Sophiatown police station’s response to her asking for a disinfected pen.
The 69-year-old Maggie Noble left Sophiatown Police Station on the morning of 23 March heartbroken and frustrated after she was allegedly told she has an attitude for asking for a pen that has been disinfected. “It hurt me because everyone knows the Covid-19 virus affects the elderly more and I turn 70 in three months. I need to look after myself during this time and I can’t be told by a police officer that I have an attitude for asking for a clean pen.”
Noble arrived at the station and found two gentlemen doing the certifying of documents. She said, “They gave me a register to sign and I did so, they also asked me to remove my mask and I did. When I asked for a disinfected pen I was told I’m coming with an attitude, how?”
She was frustrated for having to actually ask and debate why she should get such a pen with the officer. Noble was also disappointed to see the hand sanitisers being offered to the public at the station stored away from the public eye and only being given when requested.
Noble said this cannot be the case as police stations and their officers are expected to lead by example. “Why do I have to ask for a clean pen or hand sanitiser, it should be given to everyone as soon as they walk in because many still struggle with understanding how this virus is spread.”
She hopes to see the police doing what they are supposed to do and hopes to see people coming together to help one another during this time.
A spokesperson for the station Captain TJ de Bruyn said that they are investigating the matter but acknowledged this cannot happen at any point. “As the police, we will do all in our power to serve and protect the people of South Africa. We will investigate all incidents like this one and ensure it never happens again.”
He said they will contact Noble to address the matter as soon as possible.
In an attempt to make sure this doesn’t happen De Bruyn shared how the station plans to process affidavits and certifying of documents. “The movement of people must be limited to the station. All persons entering the station must fill in the register at the gate and be sanitised. Affidavits and certifying must be done at the kiosk outside the gate.” The captain added that they hope these measures along with regulations placed by Government will to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
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