ABERDEEN NEWS - The DA's Shadow MEC for Safety and Security, Bobby Stevenson, visited Aberdeen last Tuesday at the invitation of ward councillor, Rudy Jacobs, to investigate some of the concerns of the community regarding the local police station.

Stevenson and Jacobs met with the station commander, Captain Vernon Minnaar, and Warrant Officer Nobuntu Ntontela, the station’s Vispol Commander, as well as with other interested parties.

The main issue raised was the lack of visible policing, particularly at night. This is due largely to a shortage of manpower, with only one shift of four members on duty at night. In practice, there are often only three members on duty, if someone is sick or on leave. 

If there is a call-out for an accident, or to one of the farms in the district, sometimes only one member is left on duty.

Stevenson had submitted questions concerning the resources and manpower at the station to the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana, in the Eastern Cape legislature. According to the response, the station should have 29 Vispol officers, but only has 21.

“There is also a high number of illegal liquor outlets and concerns over assault cases, which have increased by 33% year-on-year,” said Stevenson. He said the response from Tikana included the intention to close illegal liquor outlets, and to constantly police and monitor taverns, particularly those close to schools.

After the meeting, the visitors were given a tour of the police building which was completed in 2016. However, it is not being fully utilised, mainly due to the lack of telephone lines and internet, although other problems such as non-functioning toilets, kitchen and air-conditioning were also noted.

Stevenson commended Capt Minnaar and his team for their willingness to co-operate, and their hands-on approach.

“I truly hope our challenges as a community can be resolved, so we can receive proper services to make everyone in the community feel safer,” said Jacobs.

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