Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa officially opened the long awaited state-of-the-art police station in Joza in front of a large crowd of community members who were in attendance.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa officially opened the long awaited state-of-the-art police station in Joza in front of a large crowd of community members who were in attendance.
Mthethwa handed over the keys of the multi-million rand facility to station commander Colonel Malibongwe Ntsabo.
Mthethwa said the new R87 million police station brings policing service to the doorstep of the people of Joza.
The minister said the idea to build a police station in Joza first surfaced in 2005 when residents complained to the police that the local police station was too far away.
"Now, after many years of budgeting, planning and working with the community, we have brought the police station to Joza, knowing that in doing so we are meeting the community's needs for adequate policing serving," Mthethwa said.
In a bid to clearly indicate that the police need to account to the town's residents the minister asked Ntsabo, Grahamstown cluster commander Brigadier Morgan Govender and provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Celiwe Binta to call out their cell phone numbers during his address.
"If the police are not doing their job report them to the station commander. If he does not do anything about it go to the cluster commander and if he does nothing about it then report them to the provincial commissioner," he said.
The 3 500m2 double storey building accommodates 125 SAPS personnel, 94 of whom are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the police station, with 31 detectives based at the new station.
Mthethwa said the Joza police station like all the newly built police stations in the country features a big community service centre and a victim friendly facility that is designed to ease the trauma suffered by victims of crime.
The event was attended by dignitaries from different organisations, including Makana municipality officials and councillors.
Speaking at the event, Makana municipality ANC chief whip Julia Wells told the community that the police station represents the restored dignity of the nation.
"This beautiful facility has come to eradicate the evils of crime, it is also here to restore dignity. This is what the government promised and today we see the fruits of the struggle. We want you to feel that sense of dignity when you come to this facility. This is bringing hope to you as the people; you share in fighting crime in our communities," said Wells.
Mthethwa also spoke about the importance of Community Policing Forums in the fight against crime.
He told residents that the police on their own cannot combat crime.
Even if they have enough resources they still need the partnership of the community, Mthethwa said.
The minister showed the residents who were in attendance some of the 14 brand new vehicles that were bought for use by the station.
Mthethwa urged the community to report misuse of these police vehicles.
"You must take the number plates of their cars and report them," Mthethwa said to cheering community members.
