Category: Oranje Kloof

COVID-19 has resulted in an outpouring of information – if we’re not talking or reading about it, we’re waiting in anticipation for President Ramaphosa’s next address, which leaves most of us with many unanswered questions. The COVID-19 virus has created such a new world at such an accelerated pace, that these unanswered questions are expected, because it’s impossible (and likely unhealthy for our mental state) to take in all relevant information.

Our GP/OKCID team have been working 24/7 since lockdown started, which means we’ve been dealing with individual’s questions and concerns head-on since the beginning. We’re here to sift through the mass of information and deal with the most important questions relating to your rights during this lockdown.

1. What are my rights regarding treatment if I breach lockdown regulations?

Our police commissioner has sent out fresh, detailed guidelines on how South African Police Service (SAPS) and municipal police must conduct themselves. It states that “there can simply be no justification for torture, ever” amongst several other detailed directives. We have made sure our teams are educated on these guidelines, to ensure you’re handled appropriately. You can download the full document stating your rights and our security officer’s responsibilities on our Covid-19 info page.

2. Can we refuse to be tested for COVID-19 if we’re not showing any symptoms?

As stated by BBP Law Attorneys: “Our law states that no person who is suspected of being infected with the COVID-19 virus and/or who has been in contact with someone who may be a carrier of the COVID-19 virus may simply refuse consent to an enforcement officer for the:

1. Submission to a medical examination where bodily samples may be drawn from you by a registered doctor or nurse;
2. Admission to a health establishment, quarantine or isolation site; or
3. Submission to mandatory treatment.

It is a well-known fact by now that the COVID-19 virus does not cause everyone to develop symptoms, you may however still be a carrier of the virus and therefore you may be reasonably suspected and requested to submit yourself for a medical examination.

Now what is the position if you simply refuse to be tested? In this case, the enforcement officer is authorised to place you in mandatory isolation or quarantine for a period of 48 hours, pending a warrant being issued by a Magistrate authorising the state to conduct mandatory medical examinations on you and if necessary, treatment. You could also be held at a State isolation or quarantine site in order to potentially prevent transmission of the virus.

Furthermore, you will have acted illegally by refusing to submit yourself for the necessary medical examination. You may be criminally prosecuted and if found guilty of the offence, you may be sentenced to jail for a period of not more than 6 months and/or a payment of a fine.”

With every right comes a responsibility. We’re trying our best to educate our team on their conduct, along with abiding by all regulations pertaining to handling staff at work (carrying out daily temperate and attendance records, providing sufficient mask and hand sanitiser supplies, and carrying out hygiene practices). We ask you, in return, to hold yourself equally responsible and remain within the confines of your home, limit your movement to your office and supermarket, and try not to ‘over’ socialise during our ‘level 3’ lockdown regulations.

Right now, global attention is understandably on the pandemic. We’re looking for answers and hope. As such, all eyes are on the World Health Organisation (WHO), who are demonstrating an evidence-based approach and a belief in the power of collaboration. We’re huge advocates of working together and are confident that our partnerships with SAPS and local organisations are integral to our successes in the area. We’re interested to analyse what lessons we can learn from the evidence-based approach to handling COVID-19.

A hugely encouraging aspect of the WHO’s approach has been collaboration. During COVID-19 we have seen the launch of an unprecedented initiative, the first global trial to test a number of drugs approved for other uses to see if they can be repurposed and used on patients with severe COVID-19. This worldwide WHO joint effort from medics, researchers, and patients in all sorts of countries is aptly named SOLIDARITY. It reminds us of the strength we gain by working with our partners in law enforcement and communities.

The WHO is also an evidence-based body. They amass the most convincing scientific research and use it to ‘direct and coordinate international health’. Politicians around the globe are, at the very least, absorbing WHO findings, and most of the restrictions or lockdowns have been informed by WHO science and guidelines. Of course, each country is also considering their specific understanding of their communities, economy, geography and many other factors to create a tailored approach. In this way, we at the GP/OKCID can look to policies working elsewhere, and then consider how to translate them into our particular environments.

The WHO are constantly updating their guidance. They are honest in acknowledging that research becomes outdated as new information emerges, and transparent that as we learn more guidelines will change to remain current. Many governments, on the basis of WHO findings, denied the necessity of wearing masks, but when evidence-based advice was updated, introduced them at a later date. This is about being transparent. They didn’t make the ‘wrong’ call and then correct it, it’s just that the ‘right’ decision is the right decision given the current information and can therefore be superseded or altered whenever we learn more.

We must be brave and agile enough to introduce new policies and approaches for our team as different information arrives, in confidence that this shows us to be flexible and informed rather than worrying that it reflects on us as having made the wrong call previously.

Evidence led practice isn’t only effective in a pandemic, or a medical context. It also isn’t new to South Africa, but actually central to the national governance approach!

Managing social and criminal issues can also adopt this approach. We are constantly responding to the situation on the ground, but are learning from this pandemic that our best response will also be informed by the evidence of what works to limit damage (of any sort) and increase trust in our team. There’s a role for intuition in the moment, but we must also look to research rather than lean on assumptions. Often the data is surprising, and it’s a moveable feast as this pandemic is teaching.

There won’t always be directly relevant information for us to point to, and in those cases, we should create an idea, and then test it on the ground. This means measuring results, like the impact of certain initiatives or approaches, whilst continuing all of our work to keep the OKCID a safe, clean, appealing place to live, work and play.

Crime in Cape Town, or even just our neighbourhoods is too significant for us to wipe out, or even to effectively respond to, alone. We can take from the handling of COVID-19 that there is benefit from admitting the scale of the problem, and the impossibility of immediately resolving it. We can also adopt the learning that we can most effectively reduce the problem by working together. Just as collaboration between different organisations, hospitals, charities and governments has helped the COVID-19 response, so too can our teamwork with SAPS and charities increase the efficacy of our local efforts against crime, grime and social issues.

We hope that you are able to remain safe, well, and in accordance with the latest government advice through this pandemic. Though we have adjusted our service at this time, we and our partners at SAPS remain here to protect and serve you, so please do get in touch if we can help.

There’s never any harm in saving a little bit of money at the end of each month, especially in our current circumstances. One way to do this is by lowering your utility bills, which is easier than you may think – really all you need to do is become a little more mindful of your habits. Use these tips from our team as a guide to slashing your next bill.

Dress for the occasion

Don’t be hesitant to dress down a little more than usual when it’s hot outside, rather than amping up the aircon. While you’re in the comfort of your own home, there is more room to wear lighter clothing as opposed to stuffy work pants and closed shoes. Once you begin using your outfit as a means of regulating your temperature before skipping straight to an electricity-draining appliance, you’ll find that it’s possible to keep cool and comfortable without unnecessarily running up your electricity bill.

Limit your shower time

We know how tempting it is to stand under the warm stream of water,, especially as autumn sets in and our mornings get colder. But showers can use anything between 6 and 45 liters per minute, so bear that in mind when you’re in no rush to get out from under that warm water. Another easy way to save water in the shower is by turning the water off when you don’t need it, like when you’re lathering your shampoo, or scrubbing yourself off.

Lower the temperature on your geyser

Your geyser is responsible for distributing hot water to sinks, showers, dishwashers and washing machines. You may find that a large portion of your electricity bill goes towards your geyser maintaining a constant store of hot water in its tank. By lowering your geyser’s temperature to roughly 45 degrees Celsius, you can shave some of the expense off of your electricity bill. Another way to save money on your geyser is to turn it off whenever you go on holiday or even leave your house for the day. Just remember to turn it back on when you get home and give it 30 minutes to heat up again before you can run hot water.

Use grey water to flush your toilets

Although water restrictions may not currently be at their most severe, using the grey water from your shower to flush your toilets every now and then could save you a Rand or two. Old cisterns can use between 9 and 12 liters per flush, while new ones use about 6. It really doesn’t hurt to leave a bucket in your shower to catch grey water, soon you won’t even notice it. Plus, moving the full bucket to the toilet afterwards can act as your arm workout for the day!

Use your appliances strategically

This point can prove to be very helpful when trying to lower your electric bill. Everything from the dishwasher to the tumble dryer can be used in a way that reduces expense. When using the tumble dryer, make sure that you dry loads of clothing consecutively, rather than waiting between loads, as this ensures that the machine remains a more constant temperature instead of having to heat itself up again each time. When loading the dishwasher, make sure that it is at maximum capacity each time you do a wash, rather than doing two half washes. When making a cup of tea, fill the kettle up based on how many cups you’re making – there’s no need to boil a full kettle when you’re only making one cup.

Always remain on the lookout for dripping taps

Leaks waste water. A slow dripping tap may not appear to be much of an issue, but you’ll be surprised how much water you could be wasting. It goes without saying that any wasted water will have quite an impact on your water bill, and wouldn’t you rather be using those 8 extra liters a day than (literally) letting them go down the drain? Even if that leak really doesn’t pose as much of a problem right now, remember that almost every leak will always worsen over time if left alone.