EKURHULENI — Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia conducted an oversight visit to Ekurhuleni on 25 September and found operational shortcomings at station level that, officials said, are hampering service delivery and victim support.
Inspection exposes gaps in infrastructure and equipment
The delegation inspected Kempton Park and Tembisa police stations and received briefings on policing in the Ekurhuleni district. The visit highlighted a range of challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, shortages of furniture and technology equipment, and human‑resource constraints.
At Kempton Park police station, the station commander drew attention to a problem affecting the station’s community service centre (CSC): the landline used by the CSC is not working reliably, a communication fault that officials said undermines the station’s ability to respond effectively to callers from the public.
Focus on gender‑based violence and victim support
The oversight placed particular emphasis on gender‑based violence and femicide (GBVF). The delegation inspected GBV desks and victim‑friendly rooms at both stations and engaged with officials responsible for supporting victims to understand the shortfalls and resources required.
The visit came against a recent spate of tragic cases in Ekurhuleni, including the discovery of 10 bodies in the area, which has prompted renewed concern about community safety and the adequacy of policing and support services for survivors.
The acting minister pledged that the ministry would continue working with police management and other stakeholders to strengthen victim‑support services and ensure that victims receive dignified services.
Senior officials on site
Cachalia was accompanied by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi; Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale; Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing Lieutenant‑General Maropeng Mamotheti; Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant‑General Tommy Mthombeni; and Ekurhuleni metro chief of police Commissioner Isaac Mapiyeye.
During the visit the delegation identified a high concentration of liquor outlets in parts of Ekurhuleni as a contributing factor to the high incidence of GBVF. The premier pledged to address this matter as part of broader efforts to strengthen community safety and curb alcohol‑related violence.
Operational impacts and community consequences
Missing or unreliable communications and shortages of basic equipment and furniture at police stations can have an immediate impact on response times, case management and the quality of services offered to victims. The inspection underscores how administrative and infrastructural problems at station level translate into real‑world harm for residents who rely on the police for protection and access to justice.
Officials said the ministry would work with police management and other stakeholders to address the shortcomings identified during the oversight. No timetable for remedial action was given during the briefing.
- Stations inspected: Kempton Park and Tembisa police stations.
- Main issues identified: infrastructure deficits, furniture and technology shortages, communication faults at the CSC, and human‑resource constraints.
- Priority area: strengthening GBV victim‑support services and addressing high density of liquor outlets as a factor in violence.
Quick reference: issues raised during the oversight
| Site | Key issue |
|---|---|
| Kempton Park police station | Community service centre landline unreliable; affects public communication and response |
| Tembisa police station | GBV desks and victim‑friendly rooms inspected; resource and capacity gaps identified |
The inspection was part of the ministry’s continuing efforts to assess operational readiness and capacity at station level. For residents of Ekurhuleni, the findings will be closely watched: patchy infrastructure and weak victim‑support systems are matters that influence both day‑to‑day safety and public confidence in policing.
Officials said they would continue engagements with stakeholders to remedy the deficiencies identified during the visit. Local communities and civil‑society organisations advocating for survivors of GBV will expect clear plans and timelines for improvements following the exercise.
City: Ekurhuleni
