Multi-million rand Diepsloot Police Station now operational

The men in blue operating in the dusty and populous Diepsloot township moved into their new workstation quietly before the cutting of the ribbon, which is scheduled for the near future.

DA councillor in the area, Refilwe Mathebula, said she noticed a couple of days ago that local officers had moved into the building.

“No official opening was held at all, but the police simply moved into the new police station and I noticed it when I was passing by,” said Mathebula.

She, however, expressed hope that the high crime rate in the area would be reduced.

“The police did not have holding cells before, forcing them to release criminals on a warning, but now they can be detained,” said Mathebula. She added that crime was exceptionally high on weekends.

The completed police station has been lying empty for more than a year as police officers were forced to squat in the local Metro offices.

Diepsloot police spokesperson Warrant Officer Daniel Mavimbela confirmed that they were now operating under a new roof added that an official opening will be held at a later date.

“Kindly note that Diepsloot police are currently using the new police station in Diepsloot Ext 2. The date for the official opening will be announced soon,” said Mavimbela. He added that they had always provided all the services the community expected, even from the Metro building where the police officers have been operating from for years.

The law enforcers were supposed to move into the two-storey building in August last year, however, the facility was not ready, in spite of being under construction for the past seven years. The delay in utilising the facilities was due to a lack of water and electricity connections.

The new building has a proper charge office, investigators’ offices, interrogation rooms, holding cells and adequate parking.