The Dundee SAPS were visited today by members of the DA on an oversight visit in the area to monitor the operational level of state institutions.

Dianne Kohler Barnard, a member of the National Parliament, and shadow Minister of Police, was accompanied by Sizwe Mchunu, KZN Member of Parliament and.Political Head of the  Umzinyathi Constituency and Dr Sandy Bedassi, DA Endumeni executive committee Councillor.
Earlier, Ms Kohler Barnard told the Courier that the purpose of these visits was not only ‘to find fault’ but to listen to police members and hear what is needed to improve their operational effectiveness.

“Often we hear that the public complains that they are told police arrived late for an incident because no vehicles are available – which is not always true – there are vehicles but members do not have drivers’ licenses which makes service delivery impossible,” she remarked.

Mr Mchunu said the visit had been arranged with the MEC for Safety and Security and it was a way of gathering information on the ground and then reporting back to Parliament to the necessary action can be taken to improve policing.
Unfortunately the Courier was prevented by Station Commissioner Col M Nyide from taking photos of he and the visiting delegation. He said he had received notice from his head office that no photos should be taken.

This despite Ms Kohler Barnard saying that she ‘often takes the media’ with her while making this visits to ensure that the public is kept informed of ”attempts to improve service delivery”.

The delegation also met with local farming representative, Herman de Wet, who was concerned about the high number of stock theft cases that ‘slip through the court systems as suspects are found not guilty because of technicalities’.
He was also concerned about the state of previously productive farms that have fallen into ruin since these were taken over by Land Affairs and given to local communities.
Ms Kohler Barnard said she would be following up all these issues. She and Mr Mchunu will this afternoon address a farmers’ meeting in the sale kraal hall to discuss more farming related issues, including the thorny land expropriation without compensation bill.

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