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As residents of Olifantshoek experience increased break-ins at their homes and businesses, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for better support and resourcing of the local police station.

An oversight inspection conducted last week confirmed that the state of policing reflects the neglected state of the station.

The glass door to the entrance has been broken since last year. The Victim Friendly Room needs beds and toiletries. The lights at the charge office are not working because the bulbs are broken.

The generator is also not working. The station is left in complete darkness during loadshedding. During this time, the community cannot contact the police station because the network is down. The station is supposed to be operational 24 hours a day, but staff and vehicle shortages make it impossible for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to do justice to keeping the town, and the approximately 100 surrounding farms, safe.

The station is currently using one police vehicle that is on loan from the Kathu station. The two detective vehicles plus all four patrol vehicles are at the garage awaiting repairs. Some of these vehicles are very old and will only last another 12 months.

The detention facility is not operational and is due to be renovated. This will require a staff contingent of at least eight police officer per shift. There are currently only between three and four police officers available per shift and staff members that died or retired are yet to be replaced.

The situation in Olifantshoek is not conducive to combatting crime and putting criminals behind bars. It also does not inspire confidence in the police to protect citizens or help them in the event of an emergency.

The DA has laid a complaint with the station commander, which we will also escalate to the Provincial Police Commissioner. She needs to be made aware of the real state of policing and must urgently prioritize the allocation of resources to the Olifantshoek SAPS station, to prevent a growing wave of lawlessness in Gamagara municipality.

Issued by Neville Koikoi, Cllr - Gamagara Municipality