MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Rats have gnawed through cabling at the KwaNonqaba Police Station and paralysed the station's online communications for more than a week since 30 May.

Police members and employees had to access their emails and online systems and do printing at neighbouring police stations.

Telephone communications were also compromised as many of the offices have voice-over internet-linked telephones. Online access has since been restored, but the rodents remain a problem.

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No political will
Members of the community the Mossel Bay Advertiser spoke to says the situation at the KwaNonqaba Police Station is a damning indictment; an indication of a lack of political will from both the national governing party (ANC) and the provincial governing party (DA) to effectively solve the community's need for safety and security through a well-resourced police station.

Municipal Manager Adv Thys Giliomee disputed this sentiment. He said, "Mossel Bay executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, reiterated that an erf had been made available in 2006 to the National Department of Public Works specifically for a purpose-built police station for Kwanonqaba. The mayor has on 11 June appraised Premier Alan Winde of the dire conditions at the KwaNonqaba Police Station. Premier Winde has undertaken to table the matter at the upcoming provincial lekgotla on 11 July."

Yet another problem
"Rats are a very real problem at the police station," an employee told the Advertiser who investigated public complaints about the situation. "They are everywhere, we hear them even in the roofs of the buildings. We dare not leave anything edible out overnight. When we switch on the lights in the offices very early in the morning, we often see rats scurrying away."

Employees say rat and mice droppings are prevalent. Apart from rodents, staff also had to endure a flea infestation recently. Several employees suffer from health complaints.

"Several people suffer from flu-like symptoms. They can't seem to shake their problems. Absenteeism is higher than usual."

Longtime problem
The dismal working conditions of police employees at this police station has over a number of years been brought to the attention of the MECs for safety and security, the Mossel Bay Municipality as landlord, and other government departments. Similarly, numerous articles on the topic were published in the Advertiser and online.

Previously the community was promised that the problems will be discussed at the highest possible level with the police management. Despite promises, to date, no official feedback was received from the police management.

Wholly unsuitable
The KwaNon-qaba Police Station serves by far the most densely populated community and the largest geographical area of all police stations in the area. Crime is most rampant in their area of jurisdiction. The station is housed in municipal buildings that are wholly unsuitable for their purpose and do not comply with occupational health and safety regulations.

The police station is under-resourced, overburdened and does not even have a cell where arrested suspects may be detained.

The municipality has recently renewed the lease for the premises. One of the conditions of the lease agreement is that the national Department of Public Works must maintain the infrastructure. The police station has been in existence for approximately 14 years. To date, the only upkeep to the premises was done piecemeal by the municipality, and by the local police members who used donations or own funds for the job.

Police members have to work in temporary park homes, some of which have rusted floors that serve as a gateway for the rodents. Members report seeing rats the size of cats. Rat poison seems to have little effect.

Unaware
The Mossel Bay Municipality said they were unaware of the recent rat problem at their property. Spokesperson Colin Puren said the mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, this week had talks with the new MEC for Safety and Security, Minister Albert Fritz, about conditions at the KwaNonqaba Police Station.

"The municipal manager, Adv Thys Giliomee, has also requested a meeting with the officer commanding the Da Gamaskop Cluster, Brig Gerhard Jantjies."

Advocate Giliomee has also instructed several members of staff to visit the station and to compile a comprehensive report on the shortcomings.

Electricity
The problem with electricity supply to the temporary park home offices persists, despite efforts taken by the Mossel Bay Municipality to have this addressed. As a result, despite the cold the police staff dare not switch on a heater or air conditioning in their offices for fear of the electricity tripping - which is a regular occurrence. Electrical cables still crisscross the yard between the makeshift offices, and the wet winter weather that results in puddles on the ground is approaching.

Previously the municipal fire and disaster management services have declared conditions at the police station a risk. More than a year later the dire conditions persist and seem to be deteriorating.

The pile of destroyed cables after rats gnawed it.

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