Gotsell raises concerns over unused Villiersdorp police cells - IOL

DA MP Nicholas Gotsell has raised concerns about the state of the holding cells at Villiersdorp police station.

Criminal could soon escape from the holding cells at Villiersdorp police station if the state of the facility is not urgently addressed.

This is according to Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Nicholas Gotsell, who says he will take the condition of the cells, along with a klomp other problems at the resource-strapped station, directly to Western Cape police boss Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi.

Gotsell, who conducted an oversight visit to the station said the cells are currently not being used for overnight holding, putting additional pressure on the station and its already stretched staff.

“Officers have to drive all the way to Kleinmond to lock up, for example, the murder suspect they arrested just this weekend," he said.

“This takes away valuable resources in a vast area such as Villiersdorp and surrounds. This is a devolved station, which means SAPS is solely responsible for the upkeep and maintenance.”

According to Gotsell, the cells are used only during weekdays when suspects appear in the Villiersdorp Magistrate’s Court.

He said he had previously raised the issue of escapes during the tenure of former Western Cape police commissioner General Thembisile Patekile.

Gotsell wysed: “But the ANC chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice preferred to adjourn for lunch, instead of having Patekile account for the myriad of escapes. 

“Six months later, the committee received a flimsy response from SAPS.”

“Service delivery cannot take place in rural stations such as the one here in Villiersdorp if it is not prioritised in terms of resource management and maintenance.”

Gotsell said the oversight team had compiled a report following the visit.

He added: “We have not received any feedback yet and we are not holding our breath. It sometimes takes up to six months to receive feedback, unless we make a bit more noise.”

He said the station has nine visible-policing vehicles, but one had been burned out and another boarded up, while two double-cabs were in the garage.

“That means only five are working,” he said.

According to Gotsell, the detective unit has four members and one vehicle.

He said the station’s jurisdiction stretches towards Grabouw and Greyton, as well as Helderstroom Prison and the road towards Worcester.

DAY CELLS: The holding cells at Villiersdorp police station are currently only being used for court appearances and not for overnight holding.

New developments were also creating additional access points into Villiersdorp, making policing more difficult.

He said the station has a fixed establishment of 40 visible-policing members, 10 detectives and 10 support staff.

He also raised concerns about staff and dockets being housed in prefabricated/asbestos single quarters, a broken generator and delays in developing a new police station.

Former Villiersdorp DA councillor Michelle Botes said the problems at the station had been ongoing for years.

Botes explained: “The problems at Villiersdorp police station have been coming on for years. In the past, criminals have indeed managed to escape. I also know of at least two suicide incidents that happened in those cells.

“During my time as a DA ward councillor, there were many attempts to take the issues up with police management. There was, however, never any political will.”

Western Cape police were asked to comment, however, no response was received at the time of publication.