Police station in South Africa’s capital has only 3 chairs and one computer for 30 detectives, no telephones, and no Internet access
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, revealed that 30 detectives share one computer at the Olievenhoutbosch police station.
He added that there are only 3 chairs for these 30 detectives and that they had no Internet access.
This was revealed by an oversight visit by Cameron to the Olievenhoutbosch, Pretoria West, Akasia and Lyttelton police stations.
This visit gave them a chance to interact with community members and police officers and perform follow-up oversight work.
“What we found shows how basic resource and infrastructure failures undermine policing and leave communities paying the price,” Cameron said.
The first stop was Olievenhoutbosch Police Station, which came four months after Cameron’s previous visit.
“Almost nothing has changed. There was not a single meaningful infrastructure improvement,” he said.
“The station is still operating from inadequate premises. Officers work in cramped conditions, with temporary structures and a trailer being used as office space.”
He added that there are no holding cells and the generator is still out of service, leaving the station vulnerable to power failures.
The 30 detectives at the Olievenhoutbosch Police Station have to share three chairs and one computer.
The station has no official telephones, no Internet access, and police members have to use their personal cellphones to communicate.
Despite these challenges, Cameron said, the personnel at Olievenhoutbosch show a level of commitment and resilience that stands out.
“They continue doing their jobs. They continue serving their community, and they deserve far better support from SAPS management,” he said.
Problems at other police stations as well
The Olievenhoutbosch Police Station was not the only one which is experiencing significant challenges.
The oversight visit also revealed problems at the Pretoria West, Akasia and Lyttelton police stations.
The Akasia gender-based violence facility has no electricity, no nearby toilet, no air conditioning, no proper waiting area and no private counselling room.
“This is where survivors of rape and domestic violence are expected to receive support,” Cameron said.
The station operates from deteriorating old Transnet-owned premises, with electrical problems and poor maintenance.
The vehicle records are equally concerning. 19 vehicles have workshop or repair entries, and 875 cumulative vehicle-days were recorded in workshops.
“This happens while the station polices a vast, challenging area, including informal settlements where access and officer safety are major concerns,” he said.
At the Pretoria West Police Station, vehicles listed as operational are actually broken, including a Tata truck, a Toyota Hilux, and a Nissan Navara.
“The victim-friendly room is anything but victim-friendly. No proper waiting area, inadequate privacy and insufficient space for children,” he said.
40 detectives at the police station share 10 to 15 laptops, and the station operates from cramped, leased premises.
“I’ll be following up with South African Police Service management on these shortcomings,” Cameron said.
“We cannot expect effective policing when officers lack functioning vehicles, proper equipment and suitable facilities.”
Police station photos
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Rama Phala has the gall to make a public statement: ‘The ANC has done wrong, but they are working hard since the Zondo Commission (appointing more commissions) to combat state capture. The bastard is lying. A suspended minister of police on full pay and benefits and an acting minister of police on full pay and benefits! Using a huge chunk of police funds to pay for overblown VIP protection. The ANC with its looting mentality does not give a continental fig for SAPS, the tax payers or the poorest of the poor in our beloved country!