GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Graaff-Reinet SAPS offices on Middel Street opened on Monday 25 May, but with limited service from the charge office in the building.

Both Eastern Cape and national police spokespersons, captain Khaya Tonjeni and brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, were asked for comment on the status of the Covid-19 tests, as well as the re-opening of the Graaff-Reinet police station. No answer could be obtained from either of them after several inquiries. The police station was closed the evening of 14 May, after a senior officer tested positive for Covid-19.

On 25 May, police members on duty confirmed the opening of the charge office, but said the rest of the police head office will be opened systematically as Covid-19 results of all police officers become available.

They were tested at Midland Hospital over three days, following the closure of the offices. All Graaff-Reinet police members, as well as others from adjacent police stations, family and friends had to undergo Covid-19 testing. All members of the South African National Defense Force, who are deployed in Graaff-Reinet to assist in the fight against the spread of the virus, tested negative.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health on 22 May started with a process of decontaminating the Graaff-Reinet police station. During the closure, SAPS continued service delivery from the adjacent Barney Eysell Hall, with members who were not in contact with the patient. 

A spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDH), Siyanda Manana, did not answer several inquiries about the test results, but it was confirmed by ECDH workers, who are busy with the decontamination process, as well as police officers, that all tests results received thus far showed negative.

It was confirmed that the Graaff Reinet SAPS reverted to previously used contact numbers, 10111, 049 807 1100, 049 807 1116 and 082 779 7131.

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