SAPS backs Woolworths’ decision
Acting Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said no one should be exempt from the searches.
THE South African Police Service in the province has backed retail store Woolworths’ decision to upgrade security measures at all its outlets.
Following a spate of incidents where incendiary devices were found at some of their outlets including at Gateway mall, Woolworths recently announced that it will now search all shoppers entering their stores.
Acting Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said he fully supports this move, adding that no one should be exempt from the searches.
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“These searches are necessary to mitigate the risk posed to shoppers who visit these stores and we shall support such compulsory measures. Police officers who visit these stores as clients of Woolworths should be subject to the same procedures reserved for all customers, whether they are in uniform or not,” he said.
Mkhwanazi concluded by saying,”The SAPS dress orders and other directives specifically prohibits police officers from shopping whilst in uniform, whether they are on or off duty and commanders at all level are compelled to enforce these orders.”
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