Police holding cells still a mess

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The DA recently paid the Graaff-Reinet Police Station another unannounced visit just to find that conditions are just as bad as last year.

The oversight team included DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader and Shadow Minister of Police, Andrew Whitfield; Constituency Leader of Dr Beyers Naude Municipal area and Shadow Minister of Electricity, Samantha Graham-Maré; and Constituency Chairperson of Dr Beyers Naude, Councillor Ricardo Smith.

The group was accompanied by Anele Ngoyo, Graaff-Reinet Crime Prevention Forum Chairperson.

The visit was a follow-up of the oversight inspection in July 2022 when Graham-Maré received complaints about overflowing holding cell toilets.

While there were no overflowing toilets, it was established that the holding cells were not fit for detention purposes.

Of the eight cells available, only two were usable – one very large one, used for the drunk and disorderly, and another one used for male detainees. Of the remainder, three were permanently locked as the locking mechanisms have seized.

The bars of two of these had to be cut to get the detainees out of the cells. Another had a damaged solid door that was extremely dangerous. Graham-Maré also reported that the drinking fountains and some showers weren't operational, and there were cells with toilets that did not function properly. Another major issue was that the contract for the washing of blankets had lapsed, and no blankets have been washed since October 2021.

Awful conditions

Graham-Maré says that after one year, very little has changed. "The cells remain a travesty with inmates housed under awful conditions. Washing of blankets has not improved and day to day maintenance appears to be falling behind. There is a chronic shortage of cleaning materials and personal protective equipment for the general assistants tasked with keeping the station clean." She says that despite a written response by the Minister of Police Bheki Cele last year, there has been no refurbishing of the sewerage system. At the time Cele acknowledged that the sewerage system was outdated but said that money had been allocated for a revamp before the end of the financial year. Graham-Maré says that a shortage of vehicles remains an ongoing issue hampering the effectiveness of the police.

Pressure to act

Following the latest inspection, Whitfield has written to the National Police Commissioner to highlight the shortcomings and Graham-Maré will submit questions when Parliamentary sitting start in September.

"We will embark on a campaign to garner support for the refurbishment of our station, especially given that this is a Cluster Station and serves a number of communities," says Graham-Maré.

Warrant Officer Majola Nkohl, police spokesperson of the Sarah Baartman District said in July 2022 that a procurement process was underway to fix the problems. He explained that the sewerage system was built in 1976, and maintenance was done on 7 July 2021.

"There is no adequate flushing system due to the unavailability of parts for the current old and outdated flushing system. However, no persons are detained in the three holding cells affected by inadequate flushing systems. Service delivery is not affected, as there are other toilet facilities for members and for the public," he said.

The unwashed blankets that are being used by inmates of the holding cells.