According to a written reply from the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, the shortage is in the number of detectives, across every province. 

The DA’s Okkie Terblanche says it is shocking that as the country is in the grips of its most violent war on crime, with some of the worst crime statistics on record, the minister has not deemed it fit to double down on ensuring vital crime-fighting positions, such as detectives, are filled. “SAPS has lost more than two detectives per day compared to the previous financial year,” he said.

ALSO READ: Police vehicles in the spotlight

The breakdown per province, as per the minister’s reply, is as follows:

Western Cape: -24.34%

Eastern Cape: -10.61%

Northern Cape: -25.94%

Free State: -23.76%

KwaZulu-Natal: -23.31%

North West: -32.89%

Limpopo: -19.35%

Gauteng: -5.26%

ALSO READ: #Imbizo: Cele makes more promises to Free State

In 2022, Cele promised Botshabelo residents in the Free State that the police would fill the gap in officers in the next three years, with residents complaining that crime has worsened. However, the biggest challenge in the province is a shortage of police vehicles. Cele has previously stated that a car battery for a police vehicle reportedly costs R15 000.

Cele’s reply further detailed that R1.9 million has been spent over the past two financial years by the Free State police service. The reply to the DA’s George Michalakis also stated that more than R12 million was spent on 1814 tyres in the same period. “On an average, R6 600 was spent to buy one tyre,” Michalakis added. It has also been outlined that it could take more than a month to replace the battery of a police vehicle in the province, or more than four months just to inspect one, leaving hundreds of official police vehicles out of circulation.

ALSO READ: Police stations’ holding cells in the spotlight

The conditions of holding cells in the province were also detailed. Of the 88 operational holding cells, only 19 were in a good condition, with eight in a bad condition. The minister’s reply outlined that there are 111 police stations in the province, with 23 of them not having operational holding cells. Seven stations don’t have holding cells and the holding cells of 16 stations have been closed due to their bad conditions.

From the 16 non-operational holding cells, only two are closed due to renovations, including Park Road, which is one of the busiest stations. The holding cells have been closed for renovations since 2017, according to Michalakis. The holding cells at Odendaalsrus station are also being renovated but it is unclear at this stage when the renovations at these two police stations will be completed.

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