Police Brutality

29 officers from the Cape Town Central Police Station have allegedly contracted COVID-19.

Photo: Twitter/SA Police Service

Durban building raided following ‘serious’ COVID-19 complaint

The health department, in conjunction with the South African Police Service and National Defence Force, have descended on a building in West Street.

Police Brutality

29 officers from the Cape Town Central Police Station have allegedly contracted COVID-19.

Photo: Twitter/SA Police Service

A building in downtown Durban has been raided following “serious” allegations relating to the COVID-19 lockdown.

A joint operation involving the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was launched in the Durban CBD in the early hours of Wednesday morning. This action came after a tip-off from one of the building’s occupants was received by the department of economic development on Tuesday.

During an initial inspection by law enforcement officials on Tuesday night, it was determined that a number of occupants were displaying symptoms associated with the deadly COVD-19 virus.

First responders immediately retreated from the scene and effectively sealed the building off from the surrounding precinct.

Health department screening hundreds of people ‘trapped’ in China Mall

Speaking to the media outside the building located on West Street, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed that a raid had taken place at the China Mall and that health department officials were actively screening occupants who may have come into contact with COVID-19 carriers. Sibiya said:

“The complainant complained about the conditions under which they were working [and] about the fact that the building is not sanitised.

“We cannot comment on what is happening inside [the building] except to say that the MEC will be dealing with all the complaints who we are receiving as a department.”

‘Flu-like’ symptoms spark COVID-19 fears

Sibiya added that once the initial on-site inspections were completed, the health department would transport the ill occupants, including employees and residents, to hospitals under strict supervision and quarantine.

According to earlier reports, it’s estimated that at least 300 occupants may have been forced to stay in the building, despite some of them showing signs of serious ill-health. It’s alleged that some occupants were barred from seeking medical attention.

The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube is expected to release a statement regarding the operation on Wednesday afternoon.

This is a developing story – more details to follow