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The Germiston police station’s stretched resources are insufficient to ensure the security and safety of its residents due to the increasing population and the influx of in-migration into the area.

This police station has experienced a decline in the number of personnel compared to the previous years, it has dropped from 305 to 264- this includes police officers, administration staff and cleaners.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight inspection at the Germiston Police Station today and met with dedicated police officers who are unable to execute their duties to the fullest due to the shortage of resources which is putting the safety of the residents at risk.

This police station does not have sufficient police vehicles as it has a total of 63 vehicles of which 14 have been taken to the mechanical workshops for repairs.

There is an increase in the population as Germiston is expanding in terms of new housing developments. Germiston is also a central location that is connecting people to different local and long-distance transport nodes which has resulted in an influx of people moving into and out of the area which has had a huge impact on crime.

There is also a challenge with regards to vacant buildings that are being used for criminal activities and several homeless people are involved in crime activities. There are many liquor outlets and liquor licenses are being issued without proper consultation and verification as to whether the environment is compliant according to the Gauteng Liquor Act.

According to the SAPS crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, carjackings have increased by 70.5 percent and attempted murder by 18.2 percent compared to the third quarter of the previous financial year in the precinct of the Germiston Police Station.

The DA demands that both the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela urgently liaise with their national counterpart Minister of Police, Bheki Cele to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to SAPS. The Minister must use the current census as a benchmark in terms of allocating resources to police stations.

The DA will also engage all our Mayors across Gauteng to ensure that they involve the police stations in their areas in the Integrated Development Plan as new developments have an impact on security and safety in terms of resources. We will adopt the intergovernmental approach to address crime and promote safety in Gauteng.

We will also engage the Gauteng Provincial Government to ensure that empty provincial government buildings be converted into emergency housing for homeless people. This will go a long way in contributing towards safety and rehabilitation targets.

Issued by Michael Shackleton MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety