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The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng is calling on the Gauteng Provincial Government to take swift action to completely overhaul the provincial South African Police Service's (SAPS) customer services as residents grapple with inadequate safety and security at police stations, which points to poor service delivery and erodes public trust in the SAPS.

This call comes after the DA conducted oversight inspections of several SAPS stations in Gauteng which revealed a concerning decline in service quality. Residents encounter significant challenges in their quest for safety and justice, highlighting the urgent need for reform to ensure that the police can effectively serve the community and uphold the law.

Some of the key challenges identified include:

1. Poor service and unprofessional conduct:

Complaints of dismissive attitudes, rudeness, and a lack of empathy by SAPS members are rampant. This fosters distrust and discourages residents, particularly victims of crime, from seeking help.

2. Systemic inefficiency and unprofessionalism:

Chronic delays in finalising cases, poor follow-up on investigations, and inconsistent resource allocation, for example, shortages of vehicles and forensic tools are also crippling service delivery.

3. Dilapidated infrastructure:

Many stations are in disrepair, featuring broken equipment, overcrowded waiting areas, and inadequate facilities for vulnerable groups, such as survivors of gender-based violence. These conditions are unsuitable for public service.

"To restore dignity, efficiency, and trust in the SAPS, a DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would introduce mandatory customer service training and province-wide SAPS training programmes focused on professionalism, empathy, and trauma-informed care for victims. We will allocate dedicated provincial funding to repair police stations, upgrade IT systems, and create dignified, accessible spaces for residents, such as private reporting rooms. Additionally, we will introduce digital crime reporting and feedback platforms, real-time case tracking systems, and e-dockets to reduce administrative delays and improve transparency," says DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Community Safety, Michael Sun MPL.

These initiatives would begin with a straightforward tidying up of the police stations, making them welcoming and accessible for SAPS personnel and the public. This does not necessitate large budgets, but the willingness from staff and management to treat the residents of Gauteng with the dignity they deserve.

Issued by Michael Sun MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Community Safety