‘Police lock themselves up at night because they are afraid,’ Ga-Rankuwa residents claim
"Residents also say that the police asked a private security company to protect the police station."
Ga-Rankuwa residents claim that their local police locked themselves inside their station at night because they were afraid that they might be robbed.
Residents also said that the police asked a private security company to protect the police station and that the station has been without electricity for over eight months.
“We are really frustrated about the issues at the police station,” Ga-Rankuwa resident Kebelo Theoga said.
“They are hiding inside the police station at night because they do not have electricity. They lock themselves inside at night and close the gates. Where should we go if the police are afraid for their own lives? If they have guns but are afraid, who will protect the residents then?”
Martin Moloto, a spokesperson for the local CPF, said there were allegations that someone wanted to rob the station of ammunition because there was no electricity at night.
“Management had no choice but to order that the police station must close the gates at night,” he said.
“It is not that people can’t access the police station at night. Police just close the gate so that the officers who are inside can be safe because there’s no electricity.
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“There is a van at the gate so that when people come, they can be assisted from there. So it is not true that people are not being helped.
On the allegation that police have acquired the services of a security company to look after the station, Moloto said the CPF spoke with security companies and asked them to monitor the station at night.
“They are not there to guard the police station, they are there to monitor whether everything is okay. We approached them as the CPF and asked whether they could check on the police station while they are doing their regular rounds as the national government is dealing with the electricity issue.”
DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety, Crezane Bosch, said the delays in ensuring that Ga-Rankuwa police station has electricity has a huge impact on policing and residents’ safety.
Bosch said police officers had to use their own cellphones to deal with complaints and provide light when attending to matters at night.
“This is a huge safety risk, not only for the police officers, but also for the community at large. The police are forced to keep the station’s gates closed, with limited access.
“The community cannot reach the station on the provided number due to the electricity failure. Officers also cannot access the 10111 line due to the lack of WiFi as a result of the unavailability of electricity.”
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello said Gauteng police management was aware of the electricity issue and it has been referred to the relevant departments.
“There are alternative measures in place to ensure that service delivery is not hampered.
“The community can use the following numbers to contact the station:
– Station commander: 082 416 0808
– Vispol commander: 082 520 1583
– CSC commander: 071 675 6279
– Patrol vehicle: 071 675 6277
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