ALTHOUGH metro police officers stationed at the Edleen precinct building at the Edleen circle have been moved to new premises, there is still no clarity when the building will be upgraded.
Ward councillor Jaco Terblanche again raised the importance of this issue at a council meeting on March 30.
“The chairperson of the community safety oversight committee, Ald Izak Berg, highlighted that the project announcement was made during the 2012 budget speech. Yet, five years later, the municipality has only approved the plans for the project,” Terblanche said.
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“The funds for the roll-out of the project have been reallocated during the adjustment budget since the 2013 financial year.
“At the community safety oversight committee, I ensured that funds had been allocated for the upgrade during the adjustment budget of the 2016/2017 financial year. I also tabled a petition in 2015 and have never received a response.
“Currently, the EMPD personnel, both men and women, are forced to use a small office with only one toilet. The police commander and his officers are subjected to the current restrictive space and work in these appalling conditions.”
Terblanche said in response, Ald Izak Berg confirmed he would break ground before April.
“The DA in Ekurhuleni will hold him and his department accountable. We will not leave any stone unturned until the EMPD staff have a proper office to conduct their day-to-day duties.
“These officers cannot be expected to work in such unacceptable working conditions. Only when these poor working conditions are addressed, will the EMPD in Edleen render adequate services to the community,” Terblanche added.
We are still waiting for comment from the metro.
