DA demands immediate action at the Pretoria east warden training facility

It is alleged that warden trainees at the Castle Inn Resort in Pretoria east are subjected to appalling conditions and extreme hygienic challenges that endanger their health.

“Various whistle-blowers have reliably informed us about the terrible conditions at the training site,” said DA community safety spokesperson Ruhan Robinson.

He said the trainees are exposed to unacceptable and inhumane conditions.

“It is alleged that the aspirant wardens have been subjected to a lack of balanced diet meals, no ablution facilities and trainees are left to sleep outside,” said Robinson.

He said that although training has been held at the site for the past four weeks, the DA saw mobile toilets being set up right then and there when the DA visited the site.

“This raises questions about what the trainees have been using up to that point.

“What conditions have they been subjected to for the first part of the training since the start of February?”

Robinson also alleged that the catering services were negligent.

“The DA saw chicken and other meats destined for catering left out on steel tables in the sun for days before being used.

“Once more, this poses a health risk because trainees might contract food poisoning,” he said.

Robinson said this project seemed premature.

“It remains unclear if the project was budgeted for or how this tender was awarded and advertised, as the budget available is not sufficient to cover the costs of this project.

“If the Department of Community Safety and Security intends to mushroom training facilities across the province, it should plan properly and prepare to accommodate aspirant officials.”

The lack of attention to health and nutrition regulations can put the lives of trainees at risk and is a violation of their human dignity.

The DA has submitted questions to Gauteng MEC of Community Safety and Security, Faith Mazibuko, to find out whether the correct procurement procedures were followed when this tender was awarded and whether the department does regular inspections of training sites.

“We will also be submitting additional questions about the credibility of the service providers and if they comply with the various regulations. If this is proven not to be the case, then we will write to the treasury for them to be blacklisted,” he told Rekord.

“Community safety wardens are supposed to be trained to provide much-needed additional security to our communities.

“The current conditions impact their dignity negatively and do not nurture the much-needed pride and passion required from these wardens.”

Gauteng Department of Community Safety spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba said the department has noted some health and safety concerns reported at the training site.

“Emphasis is being put on ensuring that the necessary measures are in place so that Crime Prevention Wardens are trained and accommodated in a healthy and conducive environment.

“To this end, the Gauteng provincial government is building the policing capacity at the ward level to serve as a force multiplier to the SAPS and metropolitan police departments.”

Mashaba said the health and safety of trainees were of paramount importance.

“The department is committed to ensuring that the Crime Prevention Wardens are taken care of during their training at the site.

“Their health and safety is our priority and we will continue to ensure that it is not compromised in any way.”

Mashaba said the budget for the project is sufficient.

“Following the Gauteng provincial government budget presentation, an amount of R4-billion has been set aside over the next three years to train and absorb the wardens.”

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