Staff Reporter
Three more police stations in the Free State have been forced to close to allow for disinfection after several officers tested positive for COVID-19.
Zamdela and Bethulie police stations were closed for the second time inside two months Tuesday to contain to spread of the disease while they are decontaminated.
Park Road police station in Bloemfontein has also been closed.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo told The Free Stater that they were grappling to establish whether police officers were spreading the coronavirus among themselves or it could be people visiting the community centres for assistance.
“With COVID-19 it is very difficult to pinpoint the source of infection,” she said.
“Our officers spend time out on patrols or at roadblocks and some are working from the police stations.
“We also have complainants coming to police stations to make reports as well as those arrested for various reasons.
“So, it’s very difficult to say when the infections are coming from.”
Mbambo said some officers start feeling unwell while on duty and others start when they are resting at home, thereby further complicating the issue.
“When someone falls ill while at work you cannot automatically say they got it at work,” she said.
“The same applies when one falls ill while at home.
“The contact tracing has to be done before coming to a conclusion, but it’s still not easy, particularly with the nature of police work.”
Yesterday Mangaung police station was closed just a day after reopening following reports that three officers had tested positive for the COVID-19.
“In the case of Mangaung, it seems all those who have tested positive were on one shift,” Mbambo said.
“That could help us establish the source. It’s not about saying who the person is, but knowing when the first infection came from.”
Zamdela police station in Sasolburg will temporarily operate from the Railway Station Building also known as the Old Transnet Building in Coalbrook, while in Bethulie people will be assisted from the Stocktheft offices at no 28 Buiten Street.
Park Road police station will temporarily operate from the Cluster Office at no 91 Park Road.