Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Crezane Bosch MPL.
Gauteng police stations are struggling to combat serious and violent crimes because 24 out of 145 stations do not have holding cells. The shortage leads to delays in detaining and processing suspects, which hampers investigations and allows criminal activity to persist. The deficiency also hinders police effectiveness, leaving our people vulnerable to crime.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands Premier Panyaza Lesufi, engage his national counterpart, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, and Gauteng Provincial SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, to liaise with the National Department of Public Works about the urgent provision of holding cells in our police stations.
The severe shortage of holding cells was revealed by Premier Lesufi in a written response to questions posed by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
See full reply here.
It is concerning that a police station would lack a holding cell, forcing officers to travel long distances to detain suspects at other stations already experiencing overcrowding.
It is also worrying that police stations without holding cells feature predominately in the recently released crime stats for community-reported crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, common robbery, and assault with the intention to inflict grievous bodily harm. For example, Mohlakeng Police Station is ranked 28th among the top 40 Gauteng police stations for reported murders. Cleveland Police Station is ranked 10 for attempted murder reported incidents. Meanwhile, Akasia features in the top 40 Gauteng Police stations for contact crimes, sexual offences, and attempted murder. This should not be overlooked, as there may be a correlation between the lack of holding cells and the effectiveness in reducing crime.
The DA has repeatedly urged the Premier Lesufi-led government to focus on the fundamentals of policing to effectively combat crime and ensure residents safety. Despite this, millions have been wasted on high-tech solutions including CCTV cameras and drones, while essential resources, such as police vehicles and holding cells are lacking.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would work within the legal framework to assist with the upgrading and construction of holding cells through intergovernmental cooperation. This includes lobbying for the devolution of key policing powers to capable provinces, allowing them to manage and improve critical safety infrastructure. We would also engage SAPS and National Treasury to obtain the necessary approvals and formal agreements for co-funding and supporting infrastructure projects in key priority areas.