Letter: Only 15% of police stations in Limpopo boasts ‘good’ holding cells

Katlego Suzan Phala, DA’s MPL and Provincial spokesperson on Transport and Community Safety, writes:

The DA will write to the portfolio committee chairperson on Transport and Community Safety, Rebecca Seono, to summon the MEC for Public Works, Nkakareng Rakgoale, to report on her progress to address the lack of holding cells, as well as the poor conditions of some holding cells at police stations across the province.

In a recent report submitted to the portfolio committee, the police service acknowledged that at the 104 police stations in the province, only 15 stations have good holding cells, 47 stations have fair holding cells, 24 stations have poor holding cells and as a result eight of these were closed.

A total of 18 police stations do not have any holding cell facilities, including Mankweng, a crime hotspot, Bolebedu, Namakgale and Vuwani.

Because of the lack of holding cells at police stations, officers have to escort suspects, experience inflated fuel costs in police vehicles which are short in supply and increased risk of suspects escaping from custody. This minimizes police service delivery and visible policing.

During an oversight visit to the Marble Hall police station, we found the cells in a shocking state and laid a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission.

Sufficient holding cells in good conditions, not only entrenches our Constitutional values, but takes added pressure off our already burdened police officers.

We will continue to put pressure on the ANC government to ensure that all our police stations are well equipped with the necessary resources to fight crime.