TEMBISA Police Station is unable to fulfil its constitutional duty of protecting citizens because there is a 65 per cent shortage in its visible policing capacity.
Michael Waters MP, DA Deputy Chief Whip in the National Assembly and Lethabong Constituency Head, said: “I was reliably informed of these shortages upon my recent visit to Tembisa Police Station, along with DA Councillor Philip Thamahane.
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“We also learned there have been seven murders within the precinct in June and that within the first three days of July, two more people have been murdered. Visible policing is a crucial deterrent to violent crime and it also provides vital reach for SAPS officers who must investigate, pursue and apprehend suspects.
“Failing to fulfil this function means that the police is in breach of its mandate to protect citizens who cannot protect themselves,” Waters said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The station has five sectors that should have two visible policing vehicles patrolling at any given time, with two police officers in each vehicle. The station, therefore, needs 20 police officers for this purpose.
The visible policing unit also staffs the client service office, where people go to lay charges. At least eight officers should be on duty at this office at any given time, Waters added.
“Given the above requirements, visible policing at the station needs at least 28 police officers per shift. However, the reality is a bleak picture. The actual number of officers on duty per shift is:
• Shift one has only 10 officers on duty, with a shortage of 18 officers.
• Shift two has only 10 officers on duty, with a shortage 18 officers.
• Shift three has only 10 officers on duty, with a shortage of 18 officers.
• Shift four only has 9 officers on duty, which means there is a shortage of 19 officers.
“The Minister of Police and the National Commissioner must take full responsibility for the high crime rate and the chronic lack of police officers to prevent it. The residents of Tembisa deserve better police protection and their precinct must be urgently resourced. Failing to provide adequate policing is an affront on our constitutional right to safety and security,” Waters said.
