Department of Community Safety redeploys security to support lockdown
15 April 2020
The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes the redeployment of the Department of Community Safety’s (DOCS) Private Security and Security Support Team (SST) to support the enforcement of the lockdown in the province.
DOCS have redeployed thirty-eight of its private security officers to the Department of Health’s facilities to assist with the influx of patients. Additionally, DOCS’s SST, which has a staff complement of 54 security staff, has been redeployed to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre on a 24/7 rotational basis and at selected hospital sites in support of Department of Health.
The physical security deployments in support of lockdown over 24/7 rotational basis include the deployment of:
- 12 officers to assist at the Disaster Management Centre;
- 16 female SST members at 3 newly established breastfeeding clinics; and
- 12 officers to assist at Tygerberg Hospital.
Minister Fritz said, “In addition to these measures, a Rapid Response Unit of 5 SST members has been established to assist other urgent short-term needs which may arise during the lockdown period, while also performing a monitoring and evaluation function of the 14 Department of Health facilities where DOCS’ private security officers have been redeployed.”
Minister Fritz added, “During times of crisis it is necessary for each level of government to work together to address the needs of the public. DOCS further provided support to SAPS on 29 March 2020 by procuring and coordinating donations for hand sanitisers, masks and gloves, equipping 37 police stations to continue their work safely. In total, R269 689.20 was allocated for the procurement of these goods.”
For further clarity on the conditions of lockdown, please see the following FAQs: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/frequently-asked-questions-about-events-and-hospitality
Issued by Cayla Ann Tomás Murray, Spokesperson for Minister Albert Fritz, 15 April 2020
