An unexpected oversight visit to Kempton Park police station has raised concerns about its readiness to increase police visibility in the area. The visit, conducted by Ian Cameron, DA-LP and chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on police, and Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, the DA's mayoral candidate in Ekurhuleni, revealed a number of challenges. These include a lack of electricity, with the station's generator not working, and a shortage of serviceable vehicles.
The visit comes two weeks after Firoz Cachalia, the acting minister of police, announced that police visibility in Kempton Park and surrounding areas would be increased through Operation Shanela. The area has experienced a surge in violent crime, including the murder of 11 women since July. The latest victim, a 20-year-old woman, was found dead along a railway line in Struisbult on Sunday.
During the oversight visit, it was found that the Kempton Park police station has 59 vehicles, but several are currently being repaired and one vehicle has been out of service for 98 working days. At least 27 vehicles have been written off since 2020 and have not been replaced. The station's management has been applying for a working generator for three years, but it has not been approved.
The situation at Kempton Park police station is not unique. A similar situation was found at the Tembisa Rabasotho police station, where there is a shortage of 39 vehicles. Only three vehicles are usually available for visible policing per shift. The area is experiencing a high level of violent crime, with 850 crimes reported in the first quarter, including 22 murders.
The police station's infrastructure is also a concern. The station needs a color printer, and the area for gender-based violence and victim support needs easier access to a nearby toilet. Cameron emphasized that a police station should be able to operate effectively during power outages and that personnel need lighting, communication, and working systems.
The DA's Cameron and Rasilingwane also visited the Tembisa Rabasotho police station, where they found that the station's personnel structure does not match the population size of the area. The station has functional radios and telephones, dossier-scanning capacity, usable holding cells, and dedicated records for family violence and protection orders.
The issue of resources cannot be ignored, according to Cameron. In the 2026-2027 budget, the SAPS received R2.46 billion, while units for family violence, child protection, and sexual crimes received R1.614 billion, approximately R846 million less. The oversight visit highlights the need for increased resources and infrastructure to support police operations in the area.
Key points
- The Kempton Park police station is facing challenges in increasing police visibility, including a lack of electricity and a shortage of serviceable vehicles.
- The area has experienced a surge in violent crime, including the murder of 11 women since July.
- The police station's infrastructure is also a concern, with a need for a color printer and improved access to toilets for victims of gender-based violence.
