Residents of Olievenhoutbosch have long endured high crime rates and limited policing resources, but a recent oversight visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee has revealed just how dire the situation at the local police station truly is.

The facility, which is described as unsafe and unfit for purpose, has left the community vulnerable and struggling with the consequences of a failing system.

One resident, Asavela Ngobeni from Olievenhoutbosch Ext 19, expressed her frustration, saying the issues at the police station are not new.

“The problems at the station have been our reality for years. It’s shocking that serious attention is only being given now. Residents are already dealing with crime daily, and now we find out that suspects are being kept right in front of the station because there are no holding cells,” she said.

She added that residents often go to the station when they are already traumatised, and the idea of encountering suspects in the same space only makes the experience more frightening.

Her concerns come after the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety conducted an unannounced oversight visit to the Olievenhoutbosch Police Station on February 5.

Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku described the conditions as unacceptable and dangerous for both the public and police personnel.

“The station has no operational holding cells, forcing suspects, including those accused of serious crimes, to be detained behind the front desk, which is the first point of contact for victims and community members,” Masuku said.

“This practice exposes victims, the public, and police personnel to significant danger and undermines the principles of safety, dignity, and effective policing.”

He warned that the situation creates a volatile environment that could lead to serious injury or loss of life.

The committee also observed that the station’s infrastructure is in poor condition and severely under-resourced.

Masuku noted that the station was originally established as a satellite facility and declared a fully-fledged police station in 2011.

However, more than a decade later, construction of a new, purpose-built station has yet to begin.

“The station faces numerous challenges, including inadequate lighting around the precinct, which forces it to close its gates after dark, creating unsafe conditions for residents seeking assistance. Overcrowding is another major issue, with 29 detectives sharing a single office. The absence of basic facilities, such as a boardroom, means briefings often take place outdoors,” he added.

He stated that these conditions negatively affect staff morale and public confidence in the police’s ability to fight crime effectively.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged the dedication of the officers who continue to serve the community under difficult circumstances.

The Portfolio Committee has pledged to engage with relevant authorities to address the issues at the station.

“We will make the necessary interventions to ensure that SAPS members serving Olievenhoutbosch are provided with safe, adequate, and dignified working conditions that support effective crime prevention and community safety,” added Masuku.

The findings come just months after the Tshwane municipality announced in October 2025 that it had approved a land transfer to pave the way for a long-awaited permanent police station in Olievenhoutbosch.

The land was transferred at no cost to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, enabling full investment in the construction and long-term development of the new facility.

During the council meeting on October 30, 2025, it was revealed that the Olievenhoutbosch satellite police station had been operating in a four-room house for more than 24 years.

Councillors said this meant limited personnel, limited capacity and longer response times for safety calls, while also placing severe strain on the station’s ability to serve the growing community.

Councillors further revealed that the station had a duty to serve more than 250 000 households across four wards while operating from a small satellite facility for years.

Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said Olievenhoutbosch had become a forgotten community and said the decision by the council marked a long-overdue breakthrough.

“[The] Council have finally agreed to release a parcel of land to build a permanent police station, as they have for years not had a proper police station,” said Moya.

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morodi said the approved resolution authorised the transfer of two pieces of land in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 23 to the DPWI, which would oversee the expansion of the existing SAPS satellite station into a modern, fully equipped police facility.

“The department will oversee the expansion of the existing SAPS satellite station into a modern, fully equipped police facility,” said Morodi.

Morodi said the development represented a long-awaited breakthrough for the people of Olievenhoutbosch, adding that the decision was a decisive step towards restoring safety and stability in the area.

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