The Portfolio Committee on Police has noted the good work done by police officers at the Nyanga Police Station despite the severe shortage of human resources to service the area. The Committee is of the view that urgent plans need to be put in place to resolve such problems.

 
“We are impressed with some of the initiatives implemented within this station such as the full implementation of the E-docket system and the working relationship between the police and the Community Policing Forum, but there still remain areas of concern such as slow response times, unanswered calls at the station as well as the low number of officers servicing the area. It is these areas of concern that urgent attention is needed and we will soon engage the Provincial Commissioner to seek clarity on plans to address this,” said Mr Francois Beukman, Chairperson of the Committee.
 
The Committee is also of the view the low levels of visibility due to the staff shortages impacts negatively on the goal of reducing crime in the area. The Committee is further concerned that there is a lack of clear plan for the patrolling of the N2 highway and calls on the police to initiate and implement this plan.
 
The working relationship between the police and the Community Policing Forum is commended. “It is through such relationships that the police will succeed in the fight against crime,” Mr Beukman emphasised. The Committee has noted that through this relationship 28 unlicensed shebeens have been closed over the past month. Unfortunately, the continuous mushrooming of other shebeens is a challenge that needs to be looked at.
 
One area of concern that needs urgent attention is the staffing of the Detectives Unit within the station. “It is worrying that 56 detectives are faced with resolving 9000 dockets,” the Chairperson said.              
 
The Committee will in a few weeks engage with the Provincial Commissioner to device strategies to counter challenges that have been identified.