All police stations are 24-hour operations and do not close ‘after hours’.

“That does not and will not happen. Yes, there is a national instruction that all police stations must close their front or entrance gates after dark purely for safety reasons,” Umzinyathi District SAPS Commissioner, Major General Frances Slambert told the Courier in an exclusive interview.

She was responding to claims that the Glencoe police station is ‘locked at night and inaccessible to the public.

The complainant said members on duty on November 9 had declined to open a case for him of intimidation in Dundee while instructions are that the public can open a case at any police station.

He claims he was treated in an unhelpful manner.

“The entrance gate may be closed but officers are instructed to attend to complaints at all times. I know there was one complaint (from Glencoe) and I have appointed a senior officer to investigate. The person who complained had his complaint attended to and spoke to officers at the station even though he said the entrance was closed. The national instruction is there to protect officers, especially at small stations where there have been incidents of members being attacked and robbed of firearms.”

Major General Slambert said ‘like all organisations the SAPS have rotten apples’.

“In Umzinyathi, under my leadership, we are weeding them out. We don’t want them. We will probe this issue and need be take action. I have cleaned up Umzinyathi since my appointment here in 2023 and will continue to do so without fear.”

Those having difficulty contacting the Glencoe police station on the landline can call the official SAPS cellphone number, 082 417 6537. The Dundee cellphone number for the SAPS is 082 566 7185.

Turning to safety over the upcoming festive season, Major General Slambert said multi-disciplinary operations were already underway with the traffic department and security companies.

“Several dangerous weapons were confiscated on Saturday during an operation. Our social crime co-ordinators are out on the ground creating awareness among the public regarding ATM fraud and other crimes. We are also working with the municipality to ensure tuckshops comply with the President’s proclamation.”

The SAPS will also be working with various security companies and Home Affairs representatives at road blocks to check on illegal immigrants.

She warned that steps will be taken to prevent a predicted uptick in stock theft as Christmas looms with many hoping to obtain ‘meat illegally for their pots’.

“We will be checking on where meat from these end-of-year braais is obtained. I also call on those who are drinking to do responsibly. Do not drink and drive and ensure that you are safe at all times. The irresponsible use of liquor use equals a bad ending.”

With 12 police stations under her authority, Major General Slambert has quite a task as many fall under rural areas. “We are glad that traditional leaders work with us to root out criminals.”

GBV is a social scourge close to her heart and with the 16 Days of Activism programme due to start next week, Major General Slambert called on ‘all to unite to prevent this horrible crime from perpetuating.”

Suspicious activities can be reported to any SAPS member or if in an emergency a security company as there is a network that links SAPS with these companies to provide a ‘blanket cover of safety’.

“We are here to serve. If anyone has a bad experience to report regarding any SAPS member they are welcome to contact my office. We want to make Umzinyathi the safest district in KZN. The provincial commissioner has already described it as such and we are here to keep it that way.”

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