The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed disappointment at the lack of resources to fight crime at the Dobsonville Police Station, south of Soweto.
The station has just one officer to 1121 residents, a ratio considered extremely abnormal according to national policing standard.
In 2011, the Dobsonville population stood at over 40 000 residents. Today, with the addition of areas such as Slovoville and Lufhereng, that number has risen, and with that growth has come the weakening of what is supposed to be the strong arm of the law.
On a sight visit to the station, DA leaders met with the station heads to understand the source of its troubles.
Colonel Doctor Nyathi says, “It’s true. Our station has a big challenge, and the area is so big. Also, our manpower is not enough. Capacity challenges are adding salt to injury, where the scourge of women and children is concerned. ”
But the severely stretched human resource isn’t the only one getting worn out.
“Vehicles for visible policing are 23, and for detectives, we have 32 and 62 detectives.”
The DA says the situation in the police station is unacceptable. DA leader Mmusi Maimane says, “This thing of politicians driving fancy vehicles must come to an end. We must give the police the vehicles.”
The party says decentralizing policing is the answer.
Solly Msimanga says, “There should be a development of power from national to provincial units.”
The police station says there are plans to introduce another police station in the area to help fight crime, but when this will be, remains a mystery.
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