Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Alexandra Abrahams MP
The Democratic Alliance conducted an oversight visit to Belhar SAPS this morning, 4 November 2024. The delegation comprised of DA Spokesperson for Police, Ian Cameron (MP), DA Constituency Head for Tygerberg 2, Alexandra Abrahams (MP), and Ward 12 Councilor, Ald. Willie Jaftha.
Belhar SAPS, which serves more than 70 000 residents, is severely under resourced and has been operating out of a house for over 17 years despite promises of a new police station over the years.
The working conditions are not suitable nor in line with occupational health and safety standards. There is only one male and one female toilet which is shared between all staff, the public and detainees. Staff are crammed into small rooms including working out of a kitchen. Staff are forced to rotate in sharing broken chairs and desks. And 11 detectives share a small room with no privacy for taking of witness statements.
There are also serious vehicle shortages, with the DA having witnessed a marked police van not being able to start. This puts the lives of police officers, who could get stuck in threatening situations, in grave danger.
The holding cells have been condemned and are boarded up. Detainees are temporarily locked in a passage after which are transported to Delft SAPS. This is an additional burden on the already constrained vehicle shortage.
The brave officers, as well as Belhar residents, deserve so much better. They deserve a police station which is suitable and functional to deliver on the Constitutional Mandate of SAPS: Prevent, combat and investigate crime; maintain public order; protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; and uphold and enforce the law.
DA Ward 12 Councillor Ald. Willie Jaftha has already passed a motion in council to release land, Erf 27040 Bellville, an open field in St. Vincent Drive, and begin the transfer process to national government for the purpose of this new police station. Ald. Jaftha will be keeping a watchful eye on this process so to ensure there is no delay.
The DA will write to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Police to request urgent assistance with interim resources to be allocated to Belhar SAPS to support and improve the circumstances of the police station in order to elevate the work of SAPS and ensure the safety of residents.
Furthermore, the DA has also launched a dedicated petition to hold national government and the Minister for Police, Senzo Mchunu, to their commitment of building a new dedicated police station in Belhar.
Criminals do not differentiate between race, gender, religion or political affiliation when they rob residents at gunpoint, sell them drugs, or commit murder. We, therefore, encourage every resident of Belhar to unite in this common cause and sign this petition. Your safety is a priority of the DA and we will do our part to hold those responsible to account.
Join our petition: https://petitions.da.org.za/p/belhar-police-station