Lim police morale runs low

LIMPOPO – MORALE is running low in the Limpopo police service with allegations of a lack of resources, unroadworthy vehicles, personnel shortages, unavailability of stationery, aging infrastructure and the lack of transformation in the recruitment of female officers being cited as the reasons for this by several police officials from different areas of the province.

Police officials spoke to CV on condition of anonymity in order to protect their positions.

Some of these allegations were recently confirmed by South African Police Union provincial organiser, Solly Bulala, who said several police stations did not have enough vehicles.

“A lack of resources is hampering crime prevention,” Bulala said.

According to a community policing forum (CPF) coordinator, who also wished to remain anonymous, residents in some areas had lost confidence in the police as they were unreliable. He said there was a lack of cooperation between police officials and CPF’s.

The CPF coordinator added that there was also insufficient funding for victim empowerment programmes and community policing forum training.

“Not all police officials accept CPF members and they often look down on us. Another problem with the CPF’s is that the community is reluctant to work on a voluntary basis when they hear that there is a budget for community policing,” he said.

In Botlokwa, community leader Madikana Vusi Ramusi said, although there was a huge police station in the area, police officials remained ineffective in the face of a sudden wave of crime.

The Westenburg police station in Polokwane is said to have 26 vehicles, but only four are roadworthy and there is no stationery. Residents of Disteneng informal settlement, which is served by this police station, said the police often failed to respond to burglaries and robberies, saying they did not have enough vehicles.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto, denied these allegations.

Regarding the shortage of vehicles, she said: “vehicles are regularly serviced thoroughly to ensure the safety of our members.

“There are enough vehicles at the police stations and if problems are experienced, members can fall back and use vehicles allocated to support services.

“If the responses to complaints are slow, the community is encouraged to contact the relevant station commander to highlight their problems”.