FOLLOWING PE Express’s reporting last week on vandalism of the metro police precinct in Bethelsdorp, DA spokesperson for safety and security in the metro, Councillor John Best, recently conducted an oversight visit.
Best, who is also councillor of Ward 7, was joined by provincial DA leader, Nqaba Bhanga, and NMB caucus leader, Jonathan Lawack, to inspect the condition of the building.
According to Best, the city’s current coalition government is unable to ensure the safety of its municipal buildings and this has led to buildings being targeted by thieves and vandals.
“The wire fencing around the perimeter is in a state of disrepair.
“The municipality has been made aware of the fencing issue over an extended period of time, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Best explained.
This precinct was officially opened by then mayor, Athol Trollip, in July 2017, as a newly renovated state-of-the-art facility.
Less than three years down the line, vandals and thieves have been breaking down parts of the building.
Thieves have been focusing specifically on the roof sheeting, causing the actual roof structure to cave in.
As previously reported, ward councillor Helga van Staaden, expressed her shock and concern at the condition of the building.
“This has been happening for quite some time and vandals are not only targeting the metro police precinct, but other municipal buildings too,” she said.
Best said that he would now write to the acting city manager and request that she expedite, within all the supply chain management processes, the installation and monitoring of alarms at all municipal buildings and offices, including substations.
Metro police chief, Yolande Faro, also said that the damages to the building would be repaired and the fencing reinforced.
