The Khayelitsha Community Policing Forum is demanding that acting Minister of Police Prof Firoz Cachalia appoint a permanent station commander at Khayelitsha Police Station, saying the constant changes in management are causing instability at the station and affecting operations.
Khayelitsha CPF, public relations officer (PRO) Mzolisi Malungisa said the departure of former station commander Brig Khuthala Masakala to Mitchells Plain as a sub-district commander left a huge void. He said Masakala was dedicated to her work and had major plans for the station.
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Removal of Brig Masakala sparks community frustration
“What hurts us the most is that we were not even informed about her departure. She received a letter from the province instructing her to leave immediately. We view her departure as a setback to the station and our operations,” said Malungisa.
He described Khayelitsha as a crime hotspot and highlighted the lack of resources at police stations in the area as a major concern.
“Khayelitsha Police Station was among the top 10 nationally in the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year crime statistics for murder. We need to move away from being among the top 30 stations in the country. We need stability at the station. We need a permanent station commander who will monitor every aspect of operations. As stakeholders, we were beginning to build a strong working relationship under Brig Masakala and getting to know one another,” said Malungisa.
CPF warns of declining public trust in police
He said he is concerned that the community may lose trust in the station because of the constant leadership changes. He added that Masakala had served at the station for only one year and eight months.
“She started here in September 2024, taking over from Brig Mononeleli Magobiyane after he was promoted as Khayelitsha sub-district commissioner. We were happy working with her,” said Malungisa.
Crime statistics highlight ongoing challenges in Khayelitsha
According to crime statistics released in February this year, comparing the period between October and December 2024 with the same period in 2025, Khayelitsha Police Station ranked eighth nationally and fifth provincially for murder cases. The station recorded 49 cases in one period and 50 in the other, reflecting an increase of one case, or 2.0%.
