Cele budgets additional R3bn for police morale, wellness
The Department of Police has allocated R3.7 billion to prioritise the morale and wellbeing of the men and women in blue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele who took part in the debate on his department's readjusted budget during a virtual sitting of Parliament on Friday.
Cele said the police's medical scheme has organised private facilities to serve as isolation sites for officers and their family members who are infected with the virus.
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"The facilities are available immediately in all nine provinces and services are offered by healthcare providers who are contracted to (medical scheme) Polmed.
"Training colleges are in the process of being converted to quarantine sites. Bishop Lavis College was accredited by Department of Health as quarantine and isolation site, the college will be available to receive members by 1 August.
"Compulsory counselling sessions to all affected members in police stations and offices. An adequate supply of personal protective equipment and any shortages in this regard are being addressed with the urgency it deserves."
The minister explained that the R3.7 billion is an addition to the R1.1 billion initially set aside.
Cele is expected to address the media late on Friday afternoon to give a more detail budget breakdown.
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