Police officers stay in squalor in Birchleigh

Decay is taking over an apartment block in Birchleigh which houses police officers from Norkem Park Police Station.

Ward councillor Amanda Davison and Mike Waters, DA MP and constituency head for Kempvale, conducted an unannounced site visit at the premises on Matumi Street on November 18.

During the visit, it was also discovered that in some cases, the units were not occupied by police officers but by their extended family members, who were very reluctant to talk to the media.

Among other things, Express saw leaking water pipes on the property, a partially collapsed wall, open light fittings, as well as a leaking geyser in one unit which have caused damp damage inside the dwelling.

Outside the building, a water paddle is testament to the ongoing leaks.

According to Davison, the Department of Public Works, which owns the building, is legally responsible for maintaining it.

She stated that the department needed to put the people first and put in place an adequate budget to provide proper maintenance.

Despite public works declaring itself as the “handyman of the state” on its website, the block of flats is in complete disrepair.

“Our men and women in blue should not be living under such conditions. The department should create better living conditions for our policemen and women,” said Davison.

Waters stated there was a prevailing sense that certain departments were not concerned about the state of living of the police due to the poor management of these units.

“A lot needs to be done because these are individuals who serve the country. I will have to submit questions to the department regarding the matter at hand. Action needs to be taken as soon as possible to prevent living conditions to deteriorate even more,” said Waters.

Sgt Johanna Madiga, spokesperson for Norkem Park SAPS, said: “The last maintenance was done in 2018, which involved the cleaning of gutters, cutting of grass and trimming of trees. No major maintenance was done.”