Up close with Eldo SAPS officer Sgt Natasha Govender

Sgt Natasha Govender

A pandemic that has crippled not just our country but the world which has resulted in s halt of many economic activities.

Police, medical staff and other frontliners have been in the forefront risking their lives to keep communities something which is  admirable. Police officials have been working tirelessly for long hours. Some of them have contracted the Covid 19 virus.

A lot of frontliners including SAPS officials have succumbed to Covid 19 complications.

A total of 32 525 members have tested positive for  Covid-19 virus. 30 955 of these members have recovered but sadly, 672 members have succumbed to the virus

Sergeant Natasha Govender, Eldorado Park SAPS social crime prevention coordinator was the first female officer to be vaccinated on Monday, 5 July. This took place at the Orlando Stadium during the SAPS Vaccine drive launch. The launch was led by Policing Minister General Bheki Cele, National Commissioner General Khehla Sithole along with Deputy Health Minister Acting Minister of Health Mamoloko Kubayi.

We took an opportunity to interview Sgt Govender; this is what she had to say about taking the vaccine. She also delves deeper to the challenges they faced as officers since the first case of the Covid-19 reported in South Africa. 

She said after taking the vaccine she felt a sense of relief, however, she had slight headache. She further said she experienced sore arm later that evening

“I had anxiety and fear, the fear of possibly taking the virus home to my family when the police station closed on many occasions when my colleagues tested positive for Covid-19. I did not face any challenges, when activities were conducted at schools all covid protocols were followed,” Govender said

She added that the difficult task endured as a police officer are those who disregard the  covid regulations 

Govender explained that the members will now be able to conduct their duties without fear and anxiety.

She urged her colleagues to be vaccinated.

Sgt Natasha Govender looking at the J&J vaccine as the nurse explains to her that it is J&J 

Sgt Govender receiving her jab