Pretoria - The South African Police Service (SAPS) remains committed to providing quality safety and security services to the people of Khayelitsha.
Following the Khayelitsha Commission report, the SAPS said National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega has appointed a cluster commander Major General Brand and beefed up police stations in the area.
The commission was established between January and May last year to investigate allegations of police inefficiency in the Cape Town township and a breakdown in relations between the SAPS and the community.
“We have worked tirelessly to strengthen relations with community leaders, the religious sector, and other local stakeholders such as the Khayelitsha Development Forum, the Social Justice Coalition, NdifunaUkwazi, and others,” said SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale on Wednesday.
In response to the commission, Makgale said the SAPS have beefed up the three police stations in the Khayelitsha area with a total of 105 student constables.
“The SAPS remains committed to building an additional police station in the area. Land has been identified where the Makhaza Police Station will be built. Construction is expected to start in the new financial year,” he said.
The SAPS had prepared a detailed response to each and every recommendation which was forwarded to the Minister Nathi Nhleko’s office who then directed that SAPS needed to engage the Western Cape Premier.
According to Makgale, the SAPS did not challenge the validity of the commission per se but its “powers to subpoena” any member of the SAPS to appear before the commission as a witness or be compelled to present documents.
“The Constitutional Court opined that the same was not inconsistent with the constitution. In fact the SAPS cooperated fully with the commission until it finished its work.” – SAnews.gov.za
