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7-DAY SHIFTS FOR COPS TO CURB COVID-19 SPREAD

06/01/2021 01:06:00 BY PHIWASE PHUNGWAYO

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MBABANE – As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to infiltrate all corners, police officers have been ordered to start working in shifts.

This is purportedly one of the precautionary measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus and encourage social distancing.

The arrangement has already started in all Manzini Region stations. These are namely; Manzini, Matsapha, Malkerns, Mankayane, Sidvokodvo, Mafutseni, Mliba and Bhunya. It is expected that this arrangement will be introduced in all other police stations as proposals for such have been made, particularly in the Hhohho Region.

According to officers of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), there has been a newly-effected seven-day shift system, which will see officers staying home for seven days, and then returning to work for seven days.

In a communiqué from the regional police in Manzini, station commanders were advised to reorganise and align their station operational plans with regard to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

“By so doing, station commanders are required to reduce the number of officers going to work at a time e.g. develop a shift system (other officers should remain at the camp on standby while others are at work),” reads in part the memo.

Precautions

It was further articulated that the exercise must be implemented without undue delay and COVID-19 safety precautions must be adhered to.

A police officer from Malkerns Police Station confirmed that they received the message yesterday in the morning before they reported for duty.

“We were told that we will work in a shift system with immediate effect and this will be on a seven-day basis. This means we will stay seven days at home and then resume duties after the said days, for seven days,” the police officer explained.

He disclosed that previously, they would stay in their camps for three days and then report for duty. When asked how practical the newly-introduced system would be, the officer said it was only good on paper.

“Officers of the law are required to be on the ground 24/7, and if we take more days away from work, then it means those reporting for duty will have more workload,” the officer shared.

He added that unlike employees in organisations, who worked with computers and laptops, their work was different in that it required them to be on the field and be visible. Nonetheless, the officer shared that only time would tell and they would see how it all went.

On the other hand, an officer from Mankayane Police Station disclosed that they were informed yesterday about the new arrangement. The officer expressed his excitement on the new system, and mentioned that it would work well for them.

“We have been working so hard since the coronavirus pandemic started in March. This is much needed to give us some time to rest,” the officer said.

She highlighted that they had previously worked in shifts but they had not been granted many days. The member of the police service appreciated their superiors for the move. She said by the time they reported for duty, they would have been well-rested.

A law enforcer from the Manzini Police Station also confirmed that they received communication to the effect that they would work in a shift system. She declared that this was a much needed system because it would mean they would get enough rest.

“We have been toiling since the pandemic started and some of us have contracted the virus in our line of work. It is only fair and good that the shift system is introduced because it will lessen chances of us contracting or spreading the virus,” the police officer said.

Another officer from Matsapha embraced the new system. He said it was in fact long overdue because more officers were found to have contracted the virus and this was a cause for concern. The officer mentioned that it was a move in the right direction and would surely help in containing the spread of the virus. However, another shared that their fears would be that criminals may take advantage of their invisibility, leading to increased cases of crime.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati did not divulge details on the matter. She said the communication was internal and was not for public discourse.

Meanwhile, members of the public expressed concerns on the newly-effected system. Some questioned why the police were allowed to work in shifts yet ideally, they should be considered as frontline workers.