KaPhunga cops frustrated by pit latrine
FRUSTRATION:
Due to malfunctioning toilets, the officers at the remote police station are now forced to use a pit latrine, adding to the already neglected state of the police station.
KAPHUNGA – It is no secret that pit latrines are often associated with unpleasant odours. Police officers posted at KaPhunga Police Station can testify to this unfortunate reality.
The now dilapidated police station is said to have been constructed in 1982. It is situated about 43 kilometres from the city of Manzini and also oversees the Moti Police Post, which is situated about 16 kilometres away from KaPhunga Police Station.
Due to malfunctioning toilets, the officers at the police station are now forced to use a pit latrine, adding to the already neglected state of the police station.
The dilapidated condition of KaPhunga Police Station building, which includes damaged gutters and leaking roofs, further contributes to their frustrations. The police station is one of the oldest in the country and it is situated in the remote area of the Shiselweni
Region.
Though police officers’ houses are nearby and they could use their house toilets, the officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said this was an inconvenience for
them.
“What if you have an emergency?” asked the officers, rhetorically Previous complaints made by some police officers at the station revealed their concern that they had been forgotten by their superiors. They highlighted that the police station, despite being one of the oldest in the area, had been neglected and was in dire need of attention and maintenance. Also, they complained that they did not even have vehicles and that running water was a far-fetched reality.
negLeCt
This publication previously reported on the neglect of the police station and perceived lack of commitment from the government towards the area.
In the previous article, officers, not only complained about the state of the police station, but also the poorly maintained road leading to KaPhunga.
They expressed their frustration with the overall lack of care and attention given to their working environment by their superiors in taking care of the surrounding infrastructure.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, under which the government’s building department falls, was also contacted previously on the state of the police station. However, the Principal Secretary (PS) Thulani Mkhaliphi, at the time of compiling this report had stated that it was often the relevant departments that did not report the faults on government buildings.
For this reason, he said the department, was many times not aware of the dilapidated structures.
However, the situation has since worsened for the officers, as they now face the challenge of using a pit latrine located approximately 20 metres away from the police station structure.
Some officers, who insisted on remaining anonymous, voiced their discomfort with this inconvenience, especially considering their expectation of working in a conducive environment. They questioned why the malfunctioning toilet had not been repaired.
Arrive
The pit latrine is also used by members of the public who frequently arrive at the police station for various reasons.
Some of the officers were asked why they had not reported the inconvenience, but they said they had done so. They also accused their superiors of working at a ‘snail’s pace’.
They said they did not act quickly to resolve important issues. They complained that this was frustrating them, as they had to walk in the rain to the toilet. They said this was unfair as their colleagues in other police stations had better facilities.
Noteworthy, KaPhunga is not the only police station facing issues of neglect. This publication previously reported on the state of the Horo Police Post in Northern Hhohho, where concerns were raised about its dilapidated condition and the disconnection of the electricity supply.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni said the police officers knew where to report their concerns.
Under normal circumstances, she said concerns should be reported to the planning department.
The situation has since worsened for the officers, as they use a pit latrine located approximately 20 metres away from the police station structure.