No police clearance for foreigners at police station
FAIRLAND– “Fairland Police Station employees assist everyone as long as you are a human being we will assist you,” says Constable Michael Kagtla.
A Zimbabwe woman has been trying to no avail, to have her fingerprints taken for her permanent residency documents at Fairland Police Station.
“The first time I went at 8am and I was told they can only do my fingerprints between 10 and 12. I then went at the time and was told I must come at 8am; I went there again at 8am and they told me the computers were broken; I went again at 10am on another day and they told me they are tired and have not had tea,” said the woman who wants to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.
“I then tried to have some service from Linden Police Station and they said they are ‘sick and tired’ of doing Fairland Police Station jobs, and they sent me back to Fairland,” she added.
Her employer, who also wishes to remain anonymous, says she has lost faith in the police hence, she prefers to call her security company in times of need.
“I ask what are we to do?” she rhetorically asks. “This leaves one to know that in a time of emergency the last people to call are the police.”
Frustrated by the situation the employer continued, “They seem to have a lot of time patrolling and harassing people for SA ID’s but offer absolutely no assistance to people getting their ID’s in order. Just shows you where the problem really lies, in the pathetic small-minded arrogance and ignorance of the South African Police.”
According to the employer, “The general apathy of the South African public in keeping quiet is as disturbing as the uselessness of services not rendered at our police stations or in any other government departments.”
Fairland Police Station Spokesperson Constable Michael Kgatla has clarified the issue.
“There was an instruction stating that we should not take fingerprints, people should go to their nearest visa centres,” said Const Kgatla.
According to the constable, Fairland Police Station no longer processes police clearances for individuals who want to acquire permits.
“The instruction came about two weeks ago… This not about us being xenophobic or not doing our jobs but about following orders,” Const Kgatla concluded.
Details: Fairland Police Station 011 478 9400.
