Fewer than two years after its launch as the first alcohol evidence centre in the Eastern Cape, this facility in Nelson Mandela Bay, has suffered almost R1 million in damages after a recent break-in and incident of vandalism.
Several pieces of equipment have been stolen, including three evidentiary breathalyser alcohol testing (EBAT) machines, eight CCTV cameras with a DVR box, an air-conditioning unit, a computer, light fixture, plugs and cables, a door and door frame, padlock and fire extinguisher.
The fence around the building also suffered damage.
The total loss suffered as a result of this break-in is estimated to be around R700 000.
The metro launched this facility in December 2020 in Bethelsdorp, as the first of its kind in the province. It was equipped to do tests with the EBAT machines and to detain motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to the spokesperson of safety and security in the metro, Gustav Rautenbach, when it came to his attention that the facility had been robbed, he contacted the relevant officials to enquire information regarding safety measures at the facility.
He wanted to know if an alarm system was installed, since he knew that there was a contract in place for an alarm. Rautenbach also asked whether there were any security officials on duty at the facility.
In an e-mail response to Rautenbach, that PE Express has seen, the metro police official said that no security guards were on duty to safeguard the premises, as the metro police have no funding for the deployment of static security at the site.
When asked why the alarm contract that was in place was not utilised to install an alarm system, the official answered, “The metro police do not have funding for the installation of an alarm system and the request was sent in February 2022 but not authorised yet, due to backlog and budget constraints.”
He added that when this budget has been allocated, only then can they proceed with installation.
According to this official, a case of housebreaking, theft and damage to property has been opened at Bethelsdorp Police Station.
Rautenbach explained that in the meantime, he had received information that 105 people were arrested for drunk driving between December 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022.
“Not once did they make use of this facility with these arrests. The reason is apparently because the [EBAT] machines had to be calibrated. A nurse had to be appointed to rotate between Sidwell, Struandale and Kariega while this facility was supposed to be there with all this equipment for this very reason,” he said.
“It is very concerning that the safety and security committee has not had one meeting since November 2021.
“Five committee meetings, that were supposed to take place on January 18, March 5, April 1, May 5 and June 17, 2022, have been postponed without reason.
“It is extremely important that the safety and security directorate should sit for a meeting because vandalism, theft of cables, the carnage on our roads and many other serious incidents are not getting the attention that they require,” Rautenbach continued.
He added that, after prompting, the head of safety and security, Lawrence Troon, for a reason why the latest meeting was postponed, he was informed that Troon told officials that no safety and security meetings would take place until the council matters had been resolved.
“Clearly, Troon has no concern for the safety and well-being of Nelson Mandela Bay residents,” Rautenbach said.
When approached for comment, Troon said that he was never formally informed of the break-in at this facility and that there is no communication between himself and the metro’s head of disaster management, Shane Brown.
“There is no consequence management in this department and it is probably the worst department.
“How ironic it is that there is a break-in at a metro police facility. That means that nothing is safe in this metro,” he said.
When asked about the reasons for the safety and security directorate having had no meetings for the year, Troon added that he used to consult with Brown, who agreed that due to the instability in the metro regarding the city manager’s position, there should be no meetings for the time being.
“I also spoke to Bill Harrington from the FF Plus, who also agreed that it would be better to wait for stability.
“No one knows who they should report to and that is the reason why there have been no meetings.”
