Covid-19 infections in police due to ‘lack of planning’, claims union

“We had a problem with SAPS management in terms of their planning to make these resources available to our members. It’s like they were sleeping. 

“It was like there was no proper planning in terms of availing those equipment from our members so they're ready to go.” 

To date 14 police officers have died from Covid-related illnesses while over 1600 have been infected. 

This week the Camps Bay Police Station was temporarily closed after an employee tested positive, while a similar situation played out at the Rustenburg police station in North West. 

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“You can listen to the news that certain police stations have been closed because it has been contaminated because someone has been infected,” says Skommere.

“A number of police stations in the country have been closed, hence you can see the death of SAPS members. I think it was a lack of proper planning. 

“Hence the union came in and made sure that the resources are made available for our members at least to do their jobs which was to ensure compliance.”

But Skommere says the union will not prevent its members from working due to insufficient protective gear. 

“You see the situation of the police is an essential service but we have raised it in several meetings to say that we don’t want to go to that extent and to say to members not to report for duty. We are an essential service and we are there to make sure that there is stability in our country and this is a national call.”