Western Cape MEC concerned over the lack of police resources in the province

The Western Cape’s Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, has raised concerns over the lack of police resources in the province.

The MEC on Monday and Tuesday conducted safety oversight visits and had engagements in the Breedevalley, Witzenberg and Langeberg Municipal areas

“The continued chronic under resourcing at the SAPS stations remains a deep concern, and the picture at the stations we visited is quite grim. At one station, there was only one officer in the charge office. At another, there are a number of officers facing various charges, including criminal charges and three are currently out on bail,’’ said Western Cape’s Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen.

Allen said there’s a need in the province to address ill-discipline amongst SAPS members, to move away from deploying residents at local stations and filling the priority posts.

The MEC said he will engage with the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile about how police stations located outside the borders of the Cape Metro are also prioritised for resource allocations.

‘’Our dedicated men and women in blue are working under strenuous conditions, and I will continue making it my business to fight, lobby and advocate for them. At the same time, I’d also like to state that where we have SAPS officers overstepping boundaries and operating like criminals, you do not deserve the uniform and should instead join those in the orange uniforms,” concluded Allen

 

PICTURE - Marcellino Martin: Bush Radio's Mitchum George with MEC Allen

Done By: Mitchum George