Virus scare at police HQ in Pretoria

THE SAPS yesterday closed down its national headquarters in Pretoria temporarily for urgent decontamination following confirmation that one of its officers tested positive for Covid-19.

National spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the officer received a positive test result on Wednesday and quickly informed the commander who activated the evacuation protocol of the entire building.

Naidoo said the move was a precautionary measure put in place to decontaminate the building. Staff would then be told to report back to their work.

“As this was a temporary evacuation to allow for the building to be decontaminated, we informed our members to return to work this morning (Friday) and should there be a need to extend it, they will be informed.

“The work of the police still goes on as we speak because the members are working remotely and equipped to do so from the comfort of their homes.”

In recent weeks, Tshwane has closed a section of its emergency support facility after a police officer stationed in the building tested positive for the virus.