This time, that he will once again make a visit in the near future.

Minister Bheki Cele made the promise to Botshabelo residents on Saturday afternoon during his Ministerial Imbizo at the town’s stadium, Kaizer Sebothelo. 

His promise comes after listening to 33 residents air their concerns at the state of safety in Botshabelo, which falls under the Mangaung Metro. Some told Cele that they have called the two police stations when they need help; Botshabelo Police Station and Boithuso Police Station; but they could not get assistance because of an alleged shortage of police vehicles. 

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Cele was sometimes it is shortage of police officials and residents feel that at times, the two police stations are not enough to give help to the community.

In his response, Cele instructed Provincial Police Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane to – by Monday - deploy ten new vehicles to Botshabelo for the two police stations, as it is 'not pleasant' to see less than half of the cars working.

“Botshabelo Police Station must have 22 cars, but they only have nine working,” said Cele. He previously explained that when it comes to the issue of shortage of police officials, by the end of this year, 550 police trainees will be deployed to the province to assist.

He understand that it might still not be enough to deploy 550 police trainees to the entire province, but he promised that in the next three years, they would have closed the gap of the shortage.

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Cele also released the latest crime statistics of Botshabelo in his response to residents who expressed how most of the police officials do not actually work. He revealed 11 people have been arrested in connection with murder, while 33 were arrested for rape, 240 were arrested for assault and 38 were arrested for drugs.

The national police commissioner Sehlahle Masemola, who was present at the Imbizo, stated at the moment they are not in a position to say whether they can build more police stations in Botshabelo, however, he will soon be looking at options that can assist, perhaps a mobile police station or a satellite one.

Many of the residents at the Imbizo had questions for the Provincial Premier, Sisi Ntombela, however, she left during the first hour of the event when a question concerning the outreach programmes her offices have was posed.

One of the residents stated he went to the Premier’s Office to ask for help with an outreach programme, however, no help was offered. Some of the residents feel the rehabilitation centre that is situated in Botshabelo is of no use as many of the employees are not from Botshabelo. It was later revealed that Ntombela had to attend another event.  

Cele also expressed how unimpressed he is with the no-show of the troubled Mangaung Metro Municipality’s executive mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, together with councillors.  

OFM News