DRIEKOP – Residents in Driekop allege the satellite police station deployed to their area has not operated according to set times since its establishment. They accuse the police of failing to provide them with basic services, which are guaranteed by the Constitution.
A local said: “The satellite station is under the supervision of the station commissioner at Mecklenburg SAPS in Moroke. It seems they just do as they wish as people have to call or wait long hours to be helped by the police,” he said. “We reported this issue to the station commander, but the situation is getting worse and the community has had enough.”
He adds the station was erected on a sports field which the community’s children play on but they cannot utilise the field as the station is parked on the grounds.
According to residents, last Wednesday morning the premises’ gates were locked. They said the lack of assistance by officers in the station has led to an increase in crime in the area.
“We travel long distances to either Mecklenburg police station or Burgersfort just for our documents to be certified,” said one of the residents.
Mecklenburg Police Spokesperson, Const Kgalake Mampuru, said: “There are police officers who report to the Driekop station every day. Sometimes they encounter problems as we have a shortage of vehicles which leads to the officers arriving late,” Mampuru explained.
Col Moatshe Ngoepe, Spokesperson for the Limpopo police said they will investigate the allegations and ensure the situation is remedied.
thoko@nmgroup.co.za
