Repair work has begun at the Table View Police Station charge office following the collapse of part of the ceiling, which posed a serious safety risk to both residents and police officers.
The repairs follow an oversight visit by Democratic Alliance (DA) representatives, during which the structural damage was identified and reported to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).
Although the building does not fall directly under DPWI’s mandate, the department prioritised the repairs due to the severity of the damage.
“No police station should be allowed to deteriorate to the point where its most public-facing facility becomes structurally unsafe,” said DA Member of Parliament, Nicholas Gotsell.
Oversight leads to long-overdue repairs
According to Gotsell, the collapse of the ceiling in the charge office created unacceptable conditions for both police officers and the public. He welcomed the DPWI’s decision to treat the matter as urgent, noting that safety must remain a non-negotiable priority at police stations.
While the repairs are under way, Gotsell warned that infrastructure improvements alone do not address deeper challenges facing the station.
Station operating below staffing capacity
In response to a recent parliamentary question, the acting minister of police confirmed that Table View Police Station is operating at only 78,4% of its staffing allocation, despite the area experiencing rapid population growth.
“The Independent Electoral Commission’s decision to create an additional ward in Table View is clear evidence that the population has expanded beyond what existing policing resources were designed to serve,” Gotsell said. “Yet staffing levels and operational capacity have not kept pace.”
He added that vehicles remain unused in garages and terrain-appropriate resources have been removed, further weakening the station’s ability to police a large and challenging area.
Concerns over loss of vehicles and resources
The parliamentary reply also confirmed that a 4×4 vehicle was removed from Table View Police Station to support Operation Shanela. Gotsell criticised the decision, saying it undermines crime-fighting efforts in an area with sandy and off-road terrain.
“Taking vehicles and capacity away from a fast-growing precinct does not fight crime — it entrenches vulnerability,” he said.
Gotsell further expressed concern that while police increasingly relies on the City of Cape Town’s metro police to shoulder the burden of crime prevention, it remains reluctant to modernise policing roles or devolve certain investigative powers.
Call for proper resourcing to match growth
The DA has committed to continued oversight to ensure that the creation of an additional ward is formally reflected in staffing levels, vehicle allocation and infrastructure investment at Table View Police Station.
“Resources must be added to high-growth precincts, not removed from them,” Gotsell said. “Communities like Table View cannot be expected to absorb rapid population growth and rising crime while policing capacity stagnates or declines.”
He added that while the DA remains grateful for the dedication of Table View police officers, sustained pressure will continue until the station is properly staffed, equipped and housed in facilities that are safe, functional and fit for purpose.
