Concern over lifts and call centre at city police station
SAPS employees and members of the public have to climb the stairs to access the offices of Kimberley police station in Phakamile Mabija Road when the lifts are out of order.
South African Police Union (Sapu) provincial secretary Blessing Tselane said the speed of renovating the 10111 call centre that is situated on the eighth floor of Kimberley police station was moving at a snail’s pace.
“We requested SAPS management a few months ago to fix the lifts used by employees to get to the 10111 call centre and the public in general to get to other floors in the building. Only one lift has been fixed, where it becomes overcrowded amidst the renewed Covid-19 recurrence warnings,” said Tselane.
“The 10111 centre itself looks dilapidated and abandoned, with furniture lying around and posing health hazards to the already physically challenged members stationed at the centre.”
Tselane added that they would have to insist on closing down the building until renovations were completed, due to health and safety risks, if no immediate action was taken.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien stated that SAPS management was aware of the concerns raised in relation to the 10111 centre and the issue of the lifts.
“However, it must be stated that
two of the four lifts are operational, while two are currently in the process of being fixed. The contractors are currently on site attending to the lifts.”
She added that the police were engaged in continuous consultation and discussions with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure regarding outstanding issues.