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The Democratic Alliance was horrified to learn during an oversight visit to the Harrismith Police Station on Wednesday that the station is virtually paralysed by a critical manpower shortage. There is a vacancy rate of over 30%, with only one active reservist. The 12 detectives have about 800 cases each, while many of the most experienced officers have taken early retirement because of the pressure. The police population ratio is a staggering 3500 residents to one Vispol officer.

The station must have a minimum of 20 visible policing members on duty for each shift, but can only muster twelve, if no-one is sick or on leave. The two satellite stations in Tshiame and Intabazwe, are shut down because there are simply not enough officers to man these stations, residents of these areas are extremely vulnerable. Only five vehicles can patrol this vast area, including 420 farms, and the N3 route, on a shift. Other vehicles are standing idle because of a lack of authorised drivers.

To make matters even more dire, is the fact that the station has no generator, and is therefore left in complete darkness during loadshedding. Daily cases are reported of vehicles in the yard having batteries and other items stolen. Criminals regularly break into the station and have stolen all the heaters, and any loose items they can find.

The radio in the control room, where patrol vehicles report, is broken.

The Acting Station Commander is going on pension shortly, while the Support Commander is also acting.

The last time reservists were trained in the Free State was in 2019 when 200 were trained. None of these were allocated to Harrismith.

The DA will put questions to Minister Bheki Cele, on the critical state of policing in Harrismith, which serves a population of 180 000, during his briefing session in the NCOP next week. Questions will also be put to the Provincial Police Commissioner in the Portfolio Committee of the Free State Legislature.

This intolerable situation is a betrayal of our dedicated SAPS officers and staff, compromising the safety of residents and cannot be allowed to continue.

Issued by Leona Kleynhans - DA Spokesperson for Police in the Free State Legislature