Community members left fuming because Wesselton Police Station allegedly shuts down regularly

Residents of Wesselton were left fuming on Sunday, 24 February when they found the Wesselton Police Station locked with no police officials present.

According to residents, the police station is regularly closed and they cannot report cases, certify their documents or get affidavits.

The police station was recently closed due to renovations but was declared open after completion.

The burning issue of the station being regularly closed came to a head on Sunday, 24 February, when a community member, who asked not to be mentioned, from an informal settlement nearby wanted to open a case on Saturday evening, 23 February.

To his suprise, he found the doors locked.

When he returned the next day, the doors were once again locked.

This prompted him to approach community leaders.

When community leaders arrived at the station, they found a scattering of residents waiting for the station to open.

In another incident, residents alleged that they were told by police officials to go to the town’s police station when they want to open cases.

According to the residents, a police station should be open 24-hours with staff working around the clock.

When the Highvelder enquired from Ermelo Police, the police spokesman, Capt Carla Prinsloo, apologised on behalf of the police for this transgression and said an internal investigation is underway as the station was supposed to be open on a 24 hour basis.

However, Capt Prinsloo also clarified a few things to the newspaper and they are the following:

• Wesselton Police Station is a satellite station, meaning there can only be one or two officials stationed at the premises.
• Residents can come to the station to open cases and certify documents.
• There are no police vehicles that can be sent out to cases because it is a contact point.
• This means the official at the Wesselton Police Station can only contact the control room in town when a case is reported, which in turn contacts the Ermelo Town Station, who then can send out vehicles.
• Other services such as the issuing of firearms are not offered at the Wesselton Police Station.

Capt Prinsloo further added that the station is open for 24 hours and they will take the necessary steps to ensure that it remains open.

“Our aim is to improve our services at all costs and residents are within their right to voice their frustrations at any given time,” Capt Prinsloo said.

Residents of Wesselton are encouraged to use other means of communication to voice their issues, which include the suggestion boxes as well as contacting the Ermelo Police Station at 017 819 7803 and ask for the Shift Commander or alternatively contact the Station Commander, Colonel CS Ngcobo, at 082 922 9243.

Residents can also use the provincial contact details 013 759 1437, 013-759 1438 or send an email using the complaints.mp@saps.gov.za address.