Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says there are no plans for the construction of a police station in Kraaifontein or surrounding areas within the coming decade.
Responding to parliamentary questions, Cachalia said Kraaifontein was prioritised in 15 capital works projects that did not form part for the next five years.
“There are currently no plans for the construction of a new police station at Kraaifontein, Cape Town, for the next five to 10 years.
“Kraaifontein has been prioritised among the next top 15 capital works projects by the provincial commissioner for the Western Cape, which does not form part of the current Infrastructure Development Programme (IDP) for the 2025/26 to 2030/31 financial years,” he said.
Cachalia was asked by DA MP Karl le Roux about plans for a new police station to be built in Kraaifontein or surrounds, either north or south of the N1 Highway, in the next five to 10 years.
Le Roux had wanted to know whether any decision has been made to determine whether the police station would be a full-service or satellite police station.
Cachalia said there are no immediate plans to construct a police station in Kraaifontein or surrounding areas.
No timeline for new Kraaifontein police station
“No timelines can be provided at this stage, as the SAPS is still implementing the first top 10 priority projects as signed off by the Western Cape provincial commissioner.”
He also said according to the organisational development work study report dated February 2010, Kraaifontein will be a fully-fledged police station.
“The police station will serve the Kraaifontein and Durbanville communities,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, Cachalia said a disciplinary investigation has been initiated to establish the circumstances and determine whether any SAPS members may have acted contrary to prescribed procedures when Cebisa Silwana, 42, was was taken to the Muizenberg police station in August following an altercation at a house, where she later collapsed and was declared dead by paramedics.
“A disciplinary investigation is underway, and appropriate consequence management will be considered should the investigation establish any misconduct or negligence on the part of SAPS members,” he said.
Station expected to serve Kraaifontein and Durbanville
MK Party MP Zelna Abader had asked the circumstances around the arrest of Silwana.
Cachalia said Silwana was initially arrested and transported to Muizenberg SAPS.
“The deceased was under arrest during the initial period of her interaction with SAPS. After it was determined that the deceased was no longer under arrest or to be detained, she began displaying signs of medical distress at Muizenberg SAPS. The Fire and Rescue Service was contacted after the deceased was found lying in a collapsed state for a period.”
He said Silwana did not die while in detention or within a SAPS cell facility.
“On this basis, the matter was regarded as falling outside the mandate of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate,” he said.
