Of the 88 holding cells that are operational, only 19 happen to be in a good condition, whereas 8 are in a bad condition. 

In a reply to a DA-written parliamentary question by George Michalakis, Minister Bheki Cele revealed that there are 111 police stations in the province and 23 police stations’ holding cells are not operational. Only seven out of the 23 were built without holding cells, therefore 16 have been closed due to their bad conditions.

Amongst the 16 holding cells that are non-operational, only two are closed due to renovations, which include one of the busiest police stations in the province - Park Road – which has been closed for renovation since 2017, according to Michalakis. Another station’s  holding cells that are being renovated, are the ones at Odendaalsrus. It is unclear at this stage when the renovations at these two police stations will be  completed.

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Those that have been closed due to their poor conditions are:

•Bohlokong

•Bothaville

•Bultfontein

•Dealesville

•Heuningspruit

•Marquard

•Navalsig

•Reddersburg

•Sasolburg

•Soutpan

•Tierpoort

•Trompsburg

•Vanstadensrus

•Wepener

It is at the moment unclear when they will be reopened or whether renovations will take place.

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While the police in the province are experiencing a shortage of vehicles, they have to deliver those suspects who have been detained to the nearest police stations. The number of trips is approximately two trips per week – depending on the number of arrests that require detention.

•Those from the Batho Police Station will be taken to Mangaung and Bainsvlei.

•Bohlokong to Bethlehem

•Bothaville to Allanridge and Viljoenskroon

•Bronville to Welkom

•Bultfontein to Welkom

•Dealesville to Bainsvlei

•Heuningspruit to Kroonstad

•Kagisanong to Mangaung and Bainsvlei

•Marqaurd to Clocolan and Senekal

•Navalsig to Bainsvlei

•Odendaalsrus to Welkom and Allanridge

•Oranjeville to Zamdela

•Parkweg to Mangaung and Bainsvlei

•Reddersburg to Mangaung, Bainslvei and Smithfield

•Roadside to Warden, Villiers and Vrede

•Sasolburg to Zamdela

•Soutpan to Bainsvlei

•Thabong to Welkom

•Tierpoort to Bainsvlei

•Trompsburg to Springfontein and Fauresmith

•Vanstadensrus to Zastron and Smithfield

•Ventersburg to Virginia and Hennenman and

•Wepener to Zastron and Smithfield

Michalakis further explained that the failing infrastructure at police stations puts extra strain on already busy stations such as Bainsvlei, which is in a fair condition and has a capacity of 120, and happens to be supporting 7 other stations; Mangaung Police station, which is in a fair condition with a capacity of 60, is supporting 4 other stations; and Welkom Police Station with a capacity of 120, in a good condition, is supporting 4 other stations.

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