Cape Town, South Africa – The Portfolio Committee on Police has urged the South African Police Service (SAPS) to adhere to the end-of-January deadline for the completion of Muyexe Police Station’s infrastructure development. Following a site visit to the station, the committee expressed satisfaction with the project’s quality, emphasizing the importance of meeting the April 2024 opening goal.
According to Parliament of South Africa, the committee’s visit to the Limpopo province, including the Muyexe station, was part of a broader oversight function addressing delays in critical infrastructure projects. Chairperson Mr. Nocks Seabi noted concerns regarding the project’s prolonged duration, citing its inception in 2014 as part of the Presidential Nodal Point and its incomplete status nearly a decade later.
The committee lauded SAPS’s readiness, having already procured human resources, furniture, and vehicles for the station. However, concerns were raised about the sufficiency of only three vehicles allotted, given the challenging terrain of gravel roads in the region. The assurance of additional vehicle provision partially mitigated these concerns.
A total of 35 police personnel is set to commence duties upon the station’s inauguration. The committee also commended the existing collaboration between SAPS and the Community Police Forum (CPF), stressing the necessity of continued and strengthened partnerships for effective policing.
While welcoming the progress, the committee expressed alarm over the station’s delayed opening, impacting the local community. The proximity of the nearest police station in Giyani, 40km away, has likely led to underreported crime incidents.
The committee also called for punitive measures against the initial contractor, whose contract was terminated, urging SAPS to initiate steps for blacklisting the company from future state contracts.
Additionally, the committee’s visit to Limpopo included assessments of the Bolobedu Police Station in Ga-Kgapane and Mankweng Police Station. The Bolobedu station, under construction for over six years, remains incomplete. The committee aimed to evaluate the progress made at these sites.
The visit to Mankweng Police Station was particularly significant, as it ranks third nationally for contributing to rape cases. With 54 rapes recorded between April and June 2023, the committee sought to review the station’s strategies for combating crime effectively in the area.
The committee’s ongoing oversight visits are part of its commitment to ensuring timely completion of essential police infrastructure and addressing crime effectively across South Africa.