The DA lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) today to request an urgent investigation into the inhumane condition of the cells at the Ephraim Mogale Police Station.
An oversight inspection to the holding cells revealed a situation which needs urgent attention. The condition of the toilet and shower facilities at the cells are disgusting, with raw sewerage running around the back and front of the cells and into the Magistrates’ Court next door. The stench was overwhelming.
The cold and dark cells are not fit for use in their current condition, and the shower facilities are not acceptable. (See photos here, here and here)
Officials from the station who assisted the DA during the oversight advised that numerous requests had been made to improve the facilities, but to date, no assistance had been forthcoming from SAPS.
Dockets were piled high on detectives’ desks and are not being attended to, apparently due to insufficient police vehicles available for investigations.
Serious crimes are not being attended to effectively and as a result, victims of crime are being denied justice.
The front door of the station, which is glass, has been broken for months and is held together with masking tape. This leaves officers at the front desk extremely vulnerable and insecure.
It is for these reasons, and many more, that the DA is calling for the dismissal of the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele.
The incompetence and failure of SAPS starts at the top and Minister Cele has proved continuously that he is not up to the task.