The Democratic Alliance (DA) has on behalf of the residents of Brackenhurst and Brackendowns submitted a petition so that the temporary police station can be made permanent. We are requesting National Government to liaise with the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) in transferring the property where Brackendowns Police Station is situated from CoE to the Department of Public Works or South African Police Service (SAPS).
Doing so will enable SAPS to build a permanent station which will improve the services offered by the police station. The station requires upgrades to its facilities to allow the station to offer services to the public in a dignified manner.
Several oversight visits by the DA have revealed that one of the areas of concern is that there are no sufficient ablution facilities to cater for members, suspects as well as the public. The holding cells are lacking in capacity.
The DA has for several years advocated for a permanent police station to be built to serve the residents of Brackendowns and surrounding areas.
The DA even placed a request for a police station on the annual Integrated Development Plan (IDP) needs for the area through council processes.
It is disappointing that for more than 20 years, the National Government has not been willing to establish a permanent police station. The DA has engaged with police officers who explained to us that the condition of the station is demoralising to work at.
Considering that both the local and national governments have revealed that the property, where the station is situated, is owned by the municipality and Public Works is currently leasing from the City of Ekurhuleni, the DA believes that it is only logical that the ownership of the property is transferred to the Department of Public Works or SAPS.
A well-resourced police station will go a long way in addressing issues of crime in the area. Residents deserve a police station which inspires its members to serve the community with pride and diligently.
The DA will continue to implore both the local and national governments to come to a solution that will assist in keeping the residents of Brackenhurst and Brackendowns safe.