Covid-19 compliance upheld – SAPS

Even though cleanliness and the observation of Covid-19 safety protocol should be observed at all police stations, residents have started to complain about an apparent lack of adherence to these regulations by local law enforcement.
This week, a few suspects could also not be brought into the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court as they did not have masks.
The men were set to appear before court and were transported from the Polokwane police cells but proceedings had to be delayed to allow law enforcement officials to first fetch protective gear including masks, from the station.
Several readers who visited the station reported that the wearing of masks by officials was not followed as prescribed.
While Polokwane Observer was at the police station last week, a man who was detained, weighed in on the matter saying he was appalled by the state of the Polokwane Police Station’s holding cells.
He was apprehended last Wednesday and had to spend time in the holding cells before he could apply for bail.
“Everything in the cells is dirty and I found it quite shocking, considering that we are still under Covid-19 regulations. The Department of Health has stressed the need for basic hygiene at a place where many people share cells to have been prioritised.”
He alleges that there was no social distancing, no cleaning of surfaces, no face masks worn and no sanitising taking place.
“The front of the station always looks clean but the moment you go behind the common areas is when you realise it is all a front. When I tried asking questions I did not get any answers and it is unfortunate that the officials did not wear any form of identification.”
Contacted for comment, Police Spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojalefa said it was not a shortage of protective gear that led to the incident at court, but the fact that procedures might have been overlooked.
“Whenever suspects approach a new environment, such as the transportation from the cells to court, they should be screened, sanitised and provided with face masks, in line with Covid-19 procedures.”
He said a provincial steering committee working across all five districts visits all police stations regularly to monitor compliance.
“The committee sits regularly with one of the deputy provincial commissioners to ensure that all buildings are wiped, sanitised and face masks provided for all detainees.”
He says in an instance that they find an area to be of sub-standard compliance, they will ensure that it gets cleaned in their presence.
The district guardians are also responsible for monitoring PPE stock levels, reporting on available stock and procuring the stock if necessary.
“The districts do not have to wait until they run out of stock, they usually procure stock in advance and it is stored in the supply chain department in the individual stations. When a section of the station requires PPE, it will be made available to them.”
Mojapelo says one of the duties of the committee is to ensure that cleanliness is observed in all the stations.

Story: Umpha Manenzhe