Video
GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A video and photos showing George correctional services officers drinking while in uniform, in what appears to be a parking area on the correctional services' premises, has made its way to the George Herald offices.
According to a source the footage was taken on Friday morning, 4 January, at approximately 10:00.
The department of correctional services (DCS) says the incident happened after hours and the officials were off-duty. "The pictures depict members indulging in alcohol outside the single quarters. The members in the pictures were in fact off duty and some of them reside at the single quarters," said Southern Cape DCS communications manager Johan Pienaar.
In the photos some of the officers have glasses in their hands and a box of 4th Street wine can be seen on top of one of the cars. Although no policy prevents an off-duty official in uniform to consume alcohol at home, the area where the alleged incident took place is clearly visible from a nearby public road.
The video
In a video that is in the George Herald's possession, DCS officers in uniform can be seen drinking from the glasses in their hands. They are laughing while talking about officers drinking at work and being drunk on duty at court. On enquiry Pienaar said that they cannot comment on the video as it is not in their possession.
Watch a video below:
Photos posted on social media
After the photos were posted on various Facebook pages, the news quickly spread. To a question about the safety of the person who took the video and photos, the department replied that they don't know who took or posted the photos.
"The investigation, at this stage, only focuses on whether all the members depicted in the photos were indeed off duty. It should however be mentioned that all members are familiar with the department's grievance procedure and that the department's media policy is clear on the fact that only authorised spokespeople or duly delegated officials may provide comment on departmental-related issues.
The George correctional officers who were filmed drinking in uniform were allegedly off-duty.
"Employees making comments or contributions to the media and specifically social media, as in this case, without the expressed approval or authority, could face disciplinary charges."
Pienaar confirmed that a family member of the area commissioner does appear in one of the photos, walking in the background from the single quarters where he resides.
"It is not yet known what steps will be taken [against the officers] as the investigation is still in process," said Pienaar.
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