Central SA
Another dilapidated North West police station under scrutiny─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:40 Thu, 31 Aug 2023
The committee and management indicated that SAPS had engaged Public Works numerous times and were not assisted in dealing with the maintenance of those buildings.
The old Boshoek Police Station, situated 50km from Tosca in North West, is under scrutiny as a result of its dilapidated state.
The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Public Works, and Roads has since raised concerns about the state of the building.
The acting chairperson of the committee, Freddy Sonakile, said they met with SAPS’ Management in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Provincial Civilian Secretariat, as well as the station management following the oversight visit which was conducted at the police station. He said the committee was more concerned by the dilapidated state of the police barracks at the station. The Boshoek Police Station is housed in an old border post building that is no longer functioning.
The dilapidated building of the Boshoek Police Station, 50km from Tosca in the North West. Photo supplied
Sonakile further said the committee and management indicated that SAPS had engaged Public Works numerous times and were not assisted in dealing with the maintenance of those buildings.
“The police station is in a very bad state. SAPS said a few years ago there was engagement with the Kagisano-Molopo Municipality, whereby a request was made that they move the police station from the border to Tosca. There it's closer to the people and there is an old municipal building that is not being utilised. However, those talks collapsed,” he said.
The dilapidated building of the Boshoek Police Station, 50km from Tosca in the North West. Photo supplied
Sonakile requested the management to provide all communication with Public Works about maintenance requests that were ignored. He further lambasted public works for failing its mandate of maintaining government buildings.
"The Committee will write to both the MEC and Minister responsible, those who are sleeping on the job must be held accountable".
The dilapidated building of the Boshoek Police Station. Photo supplied
The committee is expected to engage with the Coghsta Committee to revive negotiations between the Kagisano-Molopo Municipality and SAPS on moving the station to where it will be closer to the people.
