Three police officers from the Postmasburg Police Station in the Northern Cape who were captured sleeping on the job in a video that has gone viral on social media have been suspended.

The officers were caught red handed by Dewald du Plessis‚ a member of the local AfriForum Neighbourhood Watch‚ on December 4 after he received complaints that the telephones at the station were not working. He recorded the incident on his cell phone.

Blackie Swart‚ chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch‚ was contacted by Arnold Spies‚ a resident from Postmasburg‚ when he couldn’t get a hold of the police after a break-in at their home in the early hours of the morning.

“AfriForum took it upon themselves to put pressure on the Station Commander and Provincial Commissioner to act against the officers‚” said Wico Swanepoel‚ Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in the Northern Cape‚ adding that the officers had been suspended pending an investigation.

“The Police Station was basically abandoned. The only three officers inside were all fast asleep‚” said Swanepoel.

“The festive season is here‚ which also means an increase in crime. We can’t afford police officers sleeping on the job. They have to be geared and ready for any situation and be at the beck and call of all residents in need‚” Swanepoel added.

The video that Du Plessis took with his cell phone clearly shows the deserted police station and sleeping officers.