EKURHULENI – Acting minister of police Firoz Cachalia conducted an oversight visit on 25 September to Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to assess the operational readiness and capacity of police at station level.
The visit highlighted operational challenges including inadequate infrastructure, shortages of furniture and technology equipment, and human-resource constraints.
Cachalia and his delegation received detailed briefings on policing in the Ekurhuleni district, as well as the operational conditions at Kempton Park and Tembisa police stations.
The acting minister was accompanied by the premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, deputy minister of police Cassel Mathale, divisional commissioner for visible policing Lt General Maropeng Mamotheti, the Gauteng provincial commissioner Lt General Tommy Mthombeni and the Ekurhuleni metro chief of police Commissioner Isaac Mapiyeye, amongst others.
At Kempton Park police station, the station commander raised challenges relating to the station’s community service centre (CSC) landline, which impacts the station’s ability to effectively respond to and communicate with members of the public.
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The oversight visit also placed particular focus on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and the support provided to victims.
Against the backdrop of recent tragedies in Ekurhuleni, including the discovery of 10 bodies, the acting minister inspected the GBV desks and victim friendly rooms at the police stations.
The delegation engaged with officials responsible for supporting victims to understand the challenges they face and the resources required to provide effective and dignified services.
A high concentration of liquor outlets in the area was identified as a contributing factor to the high incidence of GBVF, with the premier pledging to address this matter as part of broader efforts to strengthen community safety and curb alcohol-related violence.
The acting minister pledged that the ministry would continue working with police management and other stakeholders to strengthen victim-support services and ensure that GBVF victims receive the assistance they require.
