80 000 residents, one van – Gauteng police to investigate

Gauteng police have launched a full-blown investigation after some harsh allegations against the Randfontein police surfaced.

Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini (Gauteng police spokesperson) on Tuesday replied on the allegations brought on by an investigation by Sunday World and Kaya FM regarding the alleged single police van that serves 80 000 residents in Randfontein.

Cluster commander Major General Matheisi has acknowledged these allegations and confirmed further investigations will be conducted.

According to Dlamini, “It is true that Randfontein is divided into five sectors and vehicles are dispatched according to the available resources (human and physical). There is a policy relating to the parking of the vehicles especially after hours and vehicles are also distributed according to service needs as well as the availability of the authorised drivers.”

He also confirmed the reaction time should be quick and no longer than an hour.

“All police vehicles available including Flying squad vehicles do respond to crime scenes especially those incidents reported directly to 10111.

“Incidents reported at the station should also be attended to as soon as possible by using vehicles from other sectors when they are available.”

He added allegations regarding the response time of two to six hours is extremely out of proportion but this will also be investigated.

“Due to language barriers, it is possible this becomes a problem and therefor officers should be dispatched accordingly.”

Lungelo said there is a policy regarding the inspection of resources at the station and this includes vehicles.

“Under normal circumstances vehicles should be inspected on a weekly basis and those that have defects should be sent in for repairs.” If these policies are ignored it amounts to misconduct on the part of the station commander. This matter will also be investigated to establish if there is a compliance or not.

He also continued in saying, “Issues related to divisions at the station will be investigated, and members should follow appropriate channels and should engage with the station commander if their complaints are not addressed.”

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Also read:

Harsh allegations against Randfontein police emerge

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