MOSSEL BAY NEWS - KwaNonqaba Police Station staff are being shafted severely and are made to work at a police station where several statutory non-compliant health conditions exists.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser can this week report that the Garden Route District Municipality health department uncovered several statutory non-compliant health conditions - and other unsatisfactory conditions - which fall outside the ambit of the health inspector's work - during a recent inspection at the police station.
Dismal conditions
The concerns range from easily rectifiable problems such as no soap, nail brushes or towels being provided in the ablution facilities at the station, to major problems that require the intervention of the responsible government departments.
The report to the Mossel Bay Municipality on the shortcomings at this police station indicate that, due to a lack of space, the shower cubicle is used for storage.
The health inspection found carpets in the administrative section of the police station that are damp and soiled due to an outside door that allows rain water to penetrate the office space, thus creating conditions that can be detrimental to health.
The report states that all the carpets in the administrative building are so badly worn that the cement flooring underneath is visible, causing dust which makes it impossible to clean.
The toilets in the charge office open directly into the charge office and kitchen space, without extractor fans or any other form of mechanical ventilation.
Outside the building that houses the charge office and station commissioner's office the inspection eyes that form part of the waste water disposal system are missing, allowing waste water to leak from the pipes on to the ground.
Due to the rat and flea problems at the station, members of staff themselves fumigated the offices, with limited success.
Of the unsatisfactory conditions that fall outside the scope of the health inspection, is the dangerous and illegal distribution of electricity through electricity extension cables, the uneven and unpaved outside areas and the possible disregard for fire prevention regulations.
It was recommended these conditions be investigated further.
Rectify
The district municipality has indicated a directive will be sent to the SAPS to rectify the non-compliant conditions.
The Mossel Bay Municipality, the owner of the building used as the police station may, according to legislation, not spend taxpayers' money on repairs.
The municipality has a binding contract with the national Department of Public Works that specifically stipulates that maintenance and upkeep is the responsibility of the tenant.
The Department of Public Works acknowledges that in terms of the lease agreement, it is responsible for the maintenance, but insists: "[The] client should provide funding for such repairs and renovation."
In reaction to a query by the Advertiser this week, the Western Cape MEC of Community Safety, Minister Albert Fritz, said: "I can confirm the issue of poor work conditions at KwaNonqaba Police Station, which were highlighted during the Census 2018/19 monitoring at KwaNonqaba Police Station during the latter part of 2018.
The issue of a request for a new police station was made by the mayor and municipal manager of Mossel Bay Municipality and was again escalated in December 2017.
"Our police officers provide an invaluable service to the people of our province. Their hard work cannot be impeded by poor working conditions."
MEC Fritz referred the matter to the office of the Police Ombudsman to investigate.
The Police Ombudsman has responded: "Please be advised that this matter does not fall within our (Police Ombudsman) mandate as government-owned buildings are the responsibility of the Department of Public Works and not SAPS (SA Police Service).
We therefore advise that you contact the said department." On 24 June, however, the national Department of Public Works spokesperson Thami Mchunu was emphatic when he stated the department would not effect any maintenance or repairs at the police station.
"The facility belongs to the municipality and is leased to SAPS via the NDPW (national Department of Public Work). In terms of the lease agreement NDPW is responsible for maintenance, however, the client should provide funding for such repairs and renovation."
The Police Ombudsman's response brings the matter full circle, with every organ of state, in the process, shifting the responsibility, for whatever reason, to another.
The Western Cape premier has, since his inauguration earlier this year, highlighted the important role of the police, the lack of resources and the worsening effect this has on criminality in the province.
Premier's stand
"The crime situation in the Western Cape requires an urgent intervention. Due to massive under-resourcing, our police officers are being stretched thin," the Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, said in a statement this week.
The premier added that the recent spike in violence in the province was an indicator that the police were not able to effectively deal with the situation.
"It cannot be business as usual and we need to be doing everything possible, and using all of the tools at our disposal, to root out crime," Winde said.
Of all the police stations in the Mossel Bay area, the KwaNonqaba one serves the largest geographical area and also the most densely populated, poorest community.
Read a related article here: No respite for Kwa police
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