Police union warns of potential rapid spread of Covid-19 among officers

The union’s president Mpho Kwinika says the government needs to do more than just provide personal protective equipment to officers enforcing the lockdown regulations. 

"We need more vehicles so that we conform to the national guidelines. If that does not happen we are going to have a lot of infections coming from the police, as they are part of essential services who move around. They can spread the virus to their colleagues, the communities they are serving, and their families.”

He says 85 police officers have tested positive for the virus across the country. 

ALSO READ: Snowfall, flooding and thunderstorms in store this week

An officer from KwaZulu-Natal has passed away.

"Police officials need to be screened when they report for work and when they are done with their shifts,” warns Kwinika. 

“These issues need a lot of money and that is why we are saying the Minister of Police needs to assist and influence Treasury so that members can get sufficient resources before they can look after the interests of others.”