Police station makes ‘worst’ list
KIMBERLEY police station is ranked in the top 30 “worst police stations” in the country when it comes to escalating incidents of serious crime.
Northern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-general
Koliswa Otola told the portfolio committee on police, during a visit to the city this week, that zama zamas were draining available resources.
Otola indicated that police personnel were constantly attending to damage caused to infrastructure, cable and copper theft and crime at Ekapa mine.
“There is a sprawling township in the Samaria area where there is an influx of foreigners and zama zamas that is creating a big challenge.”
She explained that Kimberley police station handled an average of between 200 to 300 dockets per day.
“Whenever there is protest action all crime-prevention personnel must manage acts of unrest. Although on paper it appears as if there is sufficient capacity and vehicles, the growth in the population exceeds the number of available personnel and resources.”
The SAPS pointed the finger at escalating levels of poverty, unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, poor and ageing infrastructure, poorly-lit areas, lack of informers and leniency in the issuing of liquor licences.
Crime statistics in residential and business burglaries, theft out of motor vehicles, drug-related offences, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, carjacking, cash-in-transit heists, sexual offences, trio crimes murders, sexual assault, assault GBH and common, arson and malicious damage to property all increased over the past year.
This is while attempted murders increased by 77.78%, arson increased by 78.57% and drunken driving decreased by 63.64% during the 2022/23 financial year.
Otola added that delays were experienced with vehicles that were awaiting repairs in the garage.
“It takes a long time to wait for parts that have to be sent back if they are not the correct specifications. A large number of vehicles are outsourced and supply chain management processes take time.”
She stated that the tactical response teams and the flying squad were deployed to areas in Kimberley, Kuruman and De Aar, where they were unable to dedicate teams on a full-time basis to identified hot spots.
The Kimberley station commander, Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana,
added that there were also social development problems, where there are a lot of street children who committed crimes.
“We do not know how so many liquor licences are issued in such close proximity of each other.”
The chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, Tina Joemat-pettersson, recommended that national departments should provide the Province with support in order to conduct raids in Samaria for illegal immigrants, theft of cables and copper and vandalism.
“The zama zamas are close to the rail line. The population has exploded and there is a township encroaching on the doorsteps of urban residents.”
She added that the rapid growth in illegal mining in the city as well as the expansion of mining in Kuruman had led to an influx of people entering the Province as well as an increase in serious crimes, where residents do not know how to protect themselves.
“The high rate of serious crimes at Kimberley station is disproportionate to the small population.
“The Northern Cape has the potential to reduce crime significantly but it will proliferate if left unattended.
“The incidence of illegal mining in Kimberley and Kuruman has led to the rapid growth of taverns.”
Joemat-pettersson praised Wanya Tsotsi for fighting criminal elements and gender-based violence with the use of their own airtime and money.
She advised the Sol Plaatje executive mayor, the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison and the police to close down taverns that were selling liquor to minors or were not adhering to the stipulated operating hours.
“The number of taverns and shebeens exceeds the number of schools and churches. Alcohol and drug abuse is the main contributor towards crime and sexual offences.
“Criminals must feel the police, it must be uncomfortable for them to commit a crime.”
She voiced concern regarding leniency in issuing liquor licences, which exacerbated substance abuse and in turn led to an increase in contact crimes.
“This is a general challenge across the country and the committee is committed to engaging relevant committees in Parliament to find solutions.”