Severe shortage of vehicles at Alberton SAPS
Fifty percent of the station vehicles were sent to the workshop for maintenance and repair, and the station was left without sufficient resources to use in crime fighting.
THE Democratic Alliance (DA) was shocked to learn that there is a severe shortage of police vehicles at Alberton SAPS.
They visited Alberton SAPS on September 21.
Fifty percent of the station vehicles were sent to the workshop for maintenance and repair, and the station was left without sufficient resources to use in crime fighting.
Some of the vehicle’s licence discs have expired and have not yet been renewed.
“During the DA’s oversight visit to the Alberton SAPS, we discovered that the vehicles sent for repairs and maintenance remain in the garage workshop for about two to three months and some are return jobs as they have not been fixed properly,” said Michele Clarke, DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety.
There is only one vehicle per sector which is not enough in terms of police visibility. The patrol vehicles are not fitted with blue lights and sirens and they are not branded due to non-payment to the suppliers.
“This is totally unacceptable as it is affecting service delivery and crime prevention in the Alberton area.”
Many police bullet-proof vests are approximately 18 years old while the lifespan of a bullet-proof vest is five years.
Some police officers at this station do not have bullet-proof vests but they still go out on patrol due to a shortage of manpower and recourses.
“This puts the lives of the police officers at risk as they do not have bullet-proof vests for protection. There is no proper maintenance at this station, the public and police toilets are in a terrible state; the toilet seats, basins and taps are broken.”
The electrical cords are hanging loose in all the offices which poses a safety risk. There are sewerage blockages on the property that have not yet been fixed for months.
The holding cells are not in use due to raw sewage flowing into the cells and the suspects have been transferred to Germiston SAPS.
“I will write a letter to the MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi- Malobane to request her to intervene to ensure that these issues are attended to as a matter of urgency.”
The RECORD requested comment from Capt Manare Ramotshela, spokesperson for Alberton SAPS on October 8. He directed the newspaper to the province. Emails were sent to the province on October 11, 17, 19 and 23. No comment has since been received.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
Get regular news updates sent directly to your inbox: Newsletter-Signup
