Ward 39 councillor Jean Ingram and members of the provincial legislature conducted an oversight visit at the Germiston Police Station on March 8.

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Ingram was accompanied by DA Shadow MEC and Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety Michael Shackleton and Crezane Bosch respectively.

“The visit resulted from the station’s stretched and insufficient resources to ensure the security and safety of the area’s increasing population. According to the SAPS’ crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, hijacking of vehicles increased by 70.5% and attempted murder by 18.2% compared to the third quarter of the previous financial year in the precinct of Germiston,” said Ingram.

“We had to conduct this oversight inspection and meet with management to hear the challenges in executing their duties. The shortage of resources puts the residents at risk,” said Bosch.

The station experienced a decline in personnel compared to previous years. It dropped from 305 to 264.
This includes police officers, administration staff and cleaners.

It is alleged the station has 63 vehicles of which 14 have been taken to the mechanical workshops for repairs.

“Germiston is expanding in terms of new housing developments and it is a central location that is connecting people to different local and long-distance transport nodes. This results in an influx of people moving into and out of the city, which has had a huge impact on crime,” said Bosch.

Bosch added there is concern about the number of vacant buildings that are used for criminal activities as well as the rising number of liquor outlets and liquor licences issued without proper consultation and verification to confirm compliance with the Gauteng Liquor Act.

Ingram said contact crime increased in Ward 39 and it became evident the community needs to be aware of the challenges the police experience.

“To make people aware of their surroundings helps to prevent crime. The more a community stands together and looks after each other, the less opportunity for crime to take place,” said Ingram.

“We demand that both the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng SAPS provincial commissioner Lieut Gen Elias Mawela liaise with Minister of Police Bheki Cele to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to Germiston SAPS,” said Bosch.

Germiston SAPS management was part of the meeting and shared information with the oversight team.
Management stated it could not comment on the issues raised following the oversight visit.

GCN was referred to the provincial office for comment. GCN sent an enquiry to the office of Gauteng MEC for Community Safety.

Her office replied that she could not comment and that she will respond on her return to the office.

GCN also requested a comment from the office of Gauteng SAPS provincial commissioner on March 9. GCN was instructed to send a WhatsApp to provincial police spokesperson Lieut Col Mavela Masondo. This was followed up with telephone calls, the most recent being on March 14 and 16.

He acknowledged receipt of the request for comment and said that the enquiry was sent to relevant departments for comment.

No comment was received at the time of going to print.