Questions raised after Edenvale EMPD station found unmanned during inspection
While at the Edenvale station at 14:30, Rasilingwane phoned the EMPD offices but was only greeted by voicemail.
During a recent oversight visit to the office of Edenvale EPMD’s precinct, the DA’s mayoral candidate, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, could not find a single officer in sight.
During the inspection on June 2, Rasilingwane found that the station was close to empty.
While at the Edenvale station at 14:30, Rasilingwane phoned the EMPD offices but was only greeted by a voicemail.
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According to information she received, officers reportedly seconded to the Kempton Park EPMD station, leaving the Edenvale unmanned.
A request for comment was sent to EMPD spokesperson as well as the precinct commander to determine whether this was a long-term situation and what steps were being taken to secure Edenvale if its EMPD officers were in Kempton Park.
Rasilingwane said In a city where crime is rising across the board, it makes no sense that an entire metro police station is left abandoned.
“Residents of Edenvale, and Ekurhuleni at large, should not live in fear as collapsing service delivery leaves them without patrol cars or officers in their communities,” said Rasilingwane.
“I am standing to be elected as mayor of Ekurhuleni so that I can ensure that there is a full skills audit in the EMPD to ensure that every officer is fit for duty, and most importantly, senior officers and management will be subjected to full lifestyle audits.
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“The only way we will root out corruption and ensure money is spent where it is most needed is by cleaning house.”
Rasilingwane said that although the EMPD is filled with hard-working police officers, chronic under-funding, under-capacitation, and deeply problematic leadership have left it in tatters.
During her visit to Edenvale, Rasilingwane also visited Edenvale Police Station, although nothing specific was highlighted.
Rasilingwane stated that police stations across Ekurhuleni are under-resourced and lack sufficient vehicles to conduct effective patrols.
“Ekurhuleni’s crime statistics paint a dark picture. When you compare the 2025 statistics with the 2026 statistics,there has been a year-on-year rise across the board.
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“This is because of chronic leadership failures in the EMPD and the city,” said Rasilingwane.
She said creating one problem, as witnessed with the seconding of Edenvale’s EMPD officers to Kempton Park, to solve another, is not the answer.
“The only way we will turn this around is with a change of government,” said Rasilingwane.
A request for comment was also sent to Gauteng SAPS.
Both Gauteng SAPS and the EMPD spokesperson acknowledged the request for comment and stated that it would be provided as soon as possible.
The deadline for comment was June 8 at 10:00. At the time of going to print, no comments were received.
