Provincial police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, tells media that the Bothaville, Zastron, Bronville and Tseki Police Stations are now operational and rendering service. The Bronville and Tseki Police Stations are located in Welkom and Phuthaditjhaba respectively.

These police stations joined a slew of others that closed down in the province in recent weeks due to positive Covid-19 cases.  Mbambo thanks communities in those areas for their patience during the closures.

“The Provincial Commissioner, Lt.Gen. Baile Motswenyane, urges the community to visit the police stations only if necessary and remember to wear masks at all times when they do so.”

In recent weeks a number of significant government buildings - including the OR Tambo House, the Fidel Castro Building, various Labour centres and a large number of police stations - have been forced to shut down as the outbreak gains traction in the province and the country at large.

The Free State is at present seven cases shy of hitting the 10 000 overall case mark. About 47 people have died and 1 103 have fully recovered from the virus.

In light of South Africa now having the fifth-highest coronavirus figures in the world, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize recently released a statement urging South Africans to strictly adhere to the regulations that have been enforced by government to curb the outbreak of the virus.

“We are extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting down their guard at a time when the spread of infection is surging. We see poor or no social distancing in communities.

“Masks are being abandoned or not worn properly and there is laxity setting in around frequent hand-washing,” says Mkhize. Over 5000 people in South Africa have lost their lives to Covid-19.

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