Hitchhiker kills German tourist

A German tourist was robbed and killed by a hitchhiker in South Africa. Police have arrested the suspect and two accomplices. Image: X @issafrica

Free State law enforcement overburdened in COVID-19 fight – Ntombela

The Free State has in an effort to alleviate the reported burden on law enforcement members roped in other departments to carry out COVID-19 oversight.

Hitchhiker kills German tourist

A German tourist was robbed and killed by a hitchhiker in South Africa. Police have arrested the suspect and two accomplices. Image: X @issafrica

South Africa’s law enforcement officials have throughout the lockdown period been criticised for their heavy-handed approach in ensuring adherence to lockdown regulations. However, Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela said “officers are overly stretched focusing on COVID-19 compliance “.

It is now emerging that these officials are in fact overburdened by the oversight roles for which they are criticised for.

Law enforcement challenges

SASSA queues a challenge for authorities

Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela revealed in a media briefing held at the provincial health department’s headquarters in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, 20 January that senior Free State law enforcement officials are perturbed that their members are expected to solely “intervene with long queues” during the disbursement of grants by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) at ATMs and clinics as well as the long queues at traffic departments and home affairs.

“Our law enforcement officers are overly stretched focusing on COVID-19 compliance, protocols and regulations, leaving a vacuum for crimes to be committed”

Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela

Departments to alleviate the burden on law enforcement

The provincial government has in an effort to alleviate the reported burden roped in other departments to assist with the monitoring of funerals and all public gatherings.

Furthermore the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) has agreed to work alongside law enforcement to oversee places of entertainment during this time.

Bellville police feeling the heat for SASSA water cannon incident

Ntombela’s sentiments coincidentally come on the back of public outrage over the use of water cannons by Bellville police on temporary grant recipients to ensure social distancing last week.

Rain was pouring down throughout most of the country on that Friday, 15 January 2021, with many of these temporary grants recipients – some of whom were ill or injured – having had braved the adverse weather conditions to head to the SASSA offices, only to be sprayed with water by authorities in what was deemed a cruel twist of events.

The incident not only elicited anger on social media but is now the subject of an internal police probe. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape were amongst those who gave Bellville police a tongue lashing over the incident, and called for provincial police management to find out who authorized the firing of the water cannons.

The facility in Bellville and to a lesser degree, others in different parts of the country, including the Free State have been overwhelmed of late following SASSA’s decision to suspend temporary disability payments due to financial constraints.

As previously reported, about 210 000 recipients were informed in January that they would have to apply in person at the SASSA offices to get their disability grants renewed.

Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, paid a visit to the Bellville SASSA service point on Friday and could be heard from inside an armoured police vehicle calling for recipients to adhere to social distancing protocols. Her presence did more harm than good.

Free State COVID-19 statistics

According to the latest COVID-19 statistics released by the national health department led by Minister Zweli Mkhize, the Free State has reported 71 237 overall positive cases to date, with 59 268 people having had recovered – an 83% recovery rate.

Furthermore, 2 493 deaths have been reported. The vast majority of the cases can be found in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality which includes the provincial capital, Bloemfontein. This is far less than the hotspot provinces.