MEC calls for fast-track of Mariannhill police station
Siboniso Duma said the new police station will go a long way in fighting rampant crime in Mariannhill and surrounding areas.
THE KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has recommended the establishment of a multi-agency task team that will fast-track the construction of a new police station in Mariannhill.
The decision to build a new police station in the area was made after a meeting held on February 28 where Council made the decision to give land to the Public Works Department.
The Mariannhill area has been under the spotlight due to its spate of crime, especially the rampant murders and drug-abuse issues.
Also read: Train looter nabbed in Mariannhill
These include five people who were gunned down in a vehicle repair workshop in February and 14 people killed in separate incidents, which left the community living in fear.
The current police station serves a wide area, covering six wards, and is operating out of park homes, which makes the working conditions of the police difficult and causes congestion for members of the public who use the station.
Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Siboniso Duma, made the announcement to fast-track the construction during his oversight visit to the Mariannhill Police Station on Sunday.
Duma said the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Development, together with eThekwini Municipality, have identified land to build a new police station in Mariannhill.
“Once formed, the task team, which will include three spheres of government, will meet regularly to clear all bottlenecks that may delay the construction of the new police station,” he said.
The MEC said the police station will be a modern facility with advanced technology, which will respond to the provincial government’s resolve to confront crime head-on and close all spaces for criminals.
“The new police station will go a long way in fighting rampant crime in Mariannhill, Mariannridge, Dassenhoek, KwaNdengezi and surrounding areas. As government, we cannot rest on our laurels while our communities are held at ransom by criminals who kill with impunity.
“The new police station will allow for quicker response times to emergency situations, provide a more visible policing and offer specialised services to the community.”
Also read: Police search for gunmen who killed 5 people in Mariannhill
Duma condemned the multiple killings of people, including the proliferation of drug dens and drug abuse by young people in these areas, and urged the communities to work with government and police to root out crime in KwaZulu-Natal.
Police officers who are suspected of colluding with criminals in the commission of crime in the area were also condemned. Meanwhile, law enforcement officers were urged to operate in a fair and just manner while serving the community.
However, Duma warned that building a new police station alone may not be enough to address the root causes of crime in the community.
“Addressing poverty, inequality and social ills also plays a critical role in reducing the crime rate,” he said.
The MEC also visited the KwaNdengezi Police Station to monitor crime and gender-based violence (GBV) cases, as well as challenges faced by the police stations.
During his visit to the two police stations, Duma unveiled two park homes that will serve as victim-friendly rooms where GBV victims will receive psycho-social support.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
