The Zwelitsha police station is the latest to close for deep cleaning after an officer tested positive for Covid-19.
A 42-year-old sergeant is in self-isolation, and colleagues who have been in contact with the officer are being tested and screened.
National spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo said the station would be cleansed.
“The decontamination is likely to be completed in 24 to 72 hours. However, there are three shifts on duty. The crime prevention unit is working at the community service centre to ensure service is rendered to the community,” Naidoo said on Tuesday.
On Saturday, acting provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen Andries Swart said four Eastern Cape stations were once again open to the public.
“The Dimbaza, New Brighton, Willowvale and Whittlesea police stations are now fully operational. All health protocols have been followed and the affected members are quarantined or isolated accordingly,” Swart said.
Zwelitsha latest police station to close its doors
Image: AMANDA NANO
The Zwelitsha police station is the latest to close for deep cleaning after an officer tested positive for Covid-19.
A 42-year-old sergeant is in self-isolation, and colleagues who have been in contact with the officer are being tested and screened.
National spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo said the station would be cleansed.
“The decontamination is likely to be completed in 24 to 72 hours. However, there are three shifts on duty. The crime prevention unit is working at the community service centre to ensure service is rendered to the community,” Naidoo said on Tuesday.
On Saturday, acting provincial police commissioner Maj-Gen Andries Swart said four Eastern Cape stations were once again open to the public.
“The Dimbaza, New Brighton, Willowvale and Whittlesea police stations are now fully operational. All health protocols have been followed and the affected members are quarantined or isolated accordingly,” Swart said.
Graaff Reinet police spokesperson Capt Bradley Rawlinson confirmed that the area’s police station was also once again operational.
King William’s Town, Bhisho and Motherwell police stations were decontaminated on May 21. Lusikisiki and Flagstaff stations were expected to reopen by Wednesday.
Swartkops and Fort Beaufort police stations closed last Friday and will be decontaminated soon.
Swarts said SAPS members who had tested negative for the virus were back at work and those awaiting their results were in self-isolation.
Eastern Cape provincial police commissioner Lieut-Gen Liziwe Ntshinga has recovered after testing positive.
Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe welcomed the news.
“She has been given a clean bill of health and declared fit to resume her crime combating duties,” Tikana-Gxothiwe said.
Provincial police spokesperson Brig Tembinkosi Kinana said SAPS was co-operating with municipalities and communities to open halls and churches for police to use during decontamination processes.
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