Akasia police station's lack of holding cells raises serious crime concerns
Image: Bongani Shilubane/Independent Newspapers
The Akasia police station in Pretoria, ranked among the top 40 stations with high serious crime rates, operates without a holding cell.
This information came to light through Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's written responses to parliamentary questions by Crezane Bosch, the DA's Gauteng shadow MEC for Community Safety.
Bosch posed questions to inquire about the state of police stations in Gauteng, specifically asking about vacancies and plans to fill the posts.
The 2024/2025 police crime statistics report shows that the Akasia police station is among the 40 stations with high rates of community-reported serious crimes, including sexual offences and attempted murder.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Bosch expressed concern that the high rate of serious crimes at the station should not be ignored, suggesting a potential link between the absence of holding cells and the station's effectiveness in reducing crime.
She said: 'The DA has repeatedly urged the Premier Lesufi-led government to focus on the fundamentals of policing to effectively combat crime and ensure residents safety. Despite this, millions have been wasted on high-tech solutions including CCTV cameras and drones, while essential resources, such as police vehicles and holding cells are lacking.'
She said a DA-led Gauteng provincial government would work within the legal framework to facilitate the upgrading and construction of holding cells through intergovernmental cooperation.
'This includes lobbying for the devolution of key policing powers to capable provinces, allowing them to manage and improve critical safety infrastructure. We would also engage SAPS and National Treasury to obtain the necessary approvals and formal agreements for co-funding and supporting infrastructure projects in key priority areas,' Bosch said.
She noted that 24 of the 145 police stations in Gauteng lack holding cells, hindering their ability to effectively combat serious and violent crimes.
'The shortage leads to delays in detaining and processing suspects, which hampers investigations and allows criminal activity to persist. The deficiency also hinders police effectiveness, leaving our people vulnerable to crime,' she said.
Lesufi's responses indicated that the maintenance of police stations, including the provision of holding cells, falls under the responsibility of the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
He disclosed that other police stations, including Mohlakeng and Cleveland, which are also among the top 40 in Gauteng for serious crimes, lack functional holding cells.
Bosch said: 'It is concerning that a police station would lack a holding cell, forcing officers to travel long distances to detain suspects at other stations already experiencing overcrowding.'
She expressed further concern that police stations without holding cells are disproportionately represented in the recent crime statistics for serious community-reported crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and assault.
Lesufi's responses to questions about vacant positions revealed that there are openings for detective service commanders following promotions of previous incumbents.
Regarding plans to fill positions, he said: 'The vacancies will be addressed through the appointment/or promotion processes once the post allocation is received from the National Head Office. Critical and command vacancies will be prioritised. It remains unclear how many posts will be advertised due to the budgetary constraints on the compensation budget imposed by National Treasury."
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
SAPS intensifies probe into alleged Basotho Military Camps in South Africa
National commissioner of police, Lt-General Sehlahle Fannie Masemol says SAPS and Lesotho police are working together to investigate allegations of illegal camps, assuring South Africans that national safety and security remain the top priority. Image: Picture: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS The South African Police Service (SAPS) is intensifying efforts to dismantle organised crime operations and address recent allegations made by Lesotho's Police Commissioner, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, regarding possible illegal camps in South Africa. In a scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said he met with all nine provincial commissioners to assess and strengthen crime combating strategies nationwide. The BOC, the SAPS' highest decision-making structure, includes Provincial Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, and the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. IOL previously reported that Lesotho authorities claim they have credible intelligence that Basotho nationals are being trained militarily on South African farms as part of a growing land reclamation campaign. The land in question includes areas of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. The group allegedly involved, calling itself Malata Naha ('land reclaimers'), has reportedly recruited individuals of various ages, including some South African citizens. Matsoso told Newzroom Afrika that the programme has the potential to destabilise the region: 'We have discovered that [Basotho nationals] have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa… This is what we have come across,' he said. During the meeting, Masemola expressed satisfaction with recent progress, stating that organised crime syndicates are being "dismantled, dislodged, displaced and arrested." A preliminary report from SAPS Crime Intelligence was tabled, addressing the cross-border crime concerns raised by Advocate Matsoso. Intelligence structures have reportedly 'heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and take down such illegal activities,' said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe in a statement. The DPCI's Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit has been deployed to investigate these allegations. According to the SAPS, 'Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date.' Mathe said Masemola has reached out to the Lesotho Police Chief, where the two commissioners discussed the allegations made by Advocate Matsoso. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading ''Both commissioners agreed that both law enforcement agencies intelligence structures are on the ground to investigate the existence of such camps,'' she said. 'General Fannie Masemola assures all people living in South Africa that the safety and security of the people of SA is of paramount importance and anyone who is found to be in the country committing illegal acts will face the full might of the law,'' said Mathe. She added: 'To this effect, intelligence structures and operatives are on the ground to establish facts.' The situation stems from a long-standing territorial dispute. Lesotho MP and leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, has been at the forefront of the push to reclaim areas from South Africa. He was recently arrested in Lesotho and charged with sedition and incitement after allegedly calling for armed struggle and declaring himself the 'paramount chief of Basotholand'. Audio clips reportedly circulating on social media support these claims. Although Lipholo travelled to the United Nations earlier this year to submit a land claim, Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the trip, clarifying that it was not sanctioned by the Maseru government. Lesotho's Prime Minister Samuel Matekane has since confirmed the state's concern, stating the campaign threatens peace and national stability. Citizens have been urged to remain calm. 'South Africans are urged not to panic or worry as police from both countries remain on high alert,' Mathe said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Police arrest 183 rape suspects in one week
Out of the 183 suspects arrested, 67 were wanted individuals who were tracked down in different parts of the country. The South African Police Service (Saps) has arrested 183 suspects for rape in one week across the country, while a serial rapist in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was sentenced to 10 life terms and 70 years in prison. Police spokesperson, Amanda van Wyk, said this is one of the operations that are aimed at intensifying the police's efforts in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Out of the 183 suspects arrested, 67 were wanted individuals who were tracked down in different parts of the country. Rape related convictions made Van Wyk added that the notable convictions made during the week include the sentencing of 24-year-old Simon Makgoba, who was sentenced to one life term in prison on 15 July 2025. The Mankweng Regional Court in Limpopo found him guilty of rape and kidnapping a 19-year-old woman, and gave him an additional 15 years in prison. ALSO READ: 201 rape suspects arrested nationwide in the past 10 days Another man in Limpopo was sentenced for rape on 17 July 2025 by the Mahwelereng Regional Court. Kabelo Prince Monethe, 33, was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping of a 68-year-old woman from Mapela Ga-Chaba. KZN man on multiple counts of rape On 23 July 2025, the Nquthu Regional Court in KZN sentenced Mandlelisa Mabhale, 58, to 10 life terms and an additional 70 years in prison after he was found guilty on multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and exposing children to pornography. Van Wyk added that the victims, who are all minors, informed investigators that the pastor lured them to his rented room at the Ndidini area, where he made them watch pornographic material, then raped them. 90-day blitz programme 'Tackling the alarming rise in gender-based violence and femicide demands a united, urgent response. To this end, the Government has launched a 90-day blitz programme, with Saps playing an active and central role,' said Van Wyk. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is responsible for the investigation of GBVF-related cases, sexual offences, and sexual crimes committed through electronic mediums. 'Week after week, FCS investigators' hard work, dedication, and meticulous investigations ensure that sexual predators are put behind bars with lengthy sentences.' NOW READ: Limpopo crime: Father allegedly murdered by sons, pastor arrested for rape
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
New clues see SAPS rush back to Saldanha Bay in search of Joslin Smith
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched renewed search operations in Saldanha Bay as efforts to locate Joslin Smith continue, nearly 18 months after her disappearance. A heavy police presence was seen in the Middelpos informal settlement on Friday afternoon, with officers methodically sweeping through the area. The operation follows the emergence of new information that investigators believe could be crucial in the ongoing case. Joslin was first reported missing in February 2024, prompting widespread national concern and a large-scale search across the Western Cape. Despite arrests made in connection with the case, the young girl's whereabouts remain unknown. While authorities have not disclosed the specifics of the new lead, sources suggest it was compelling enough to warrant a renewed physical search of the Middelpos area – close to where Joslin was last seen. Police have declined to comment further, citing the sensitivity of the investigation. Residents of Saldanha Bay continue to cling to hope as the search enters yet another chapter. Friday's police operation brought a fresh sense of urgency and attention to a case that has weighed heavily on the local community and the nation at large. Joslin's story captured the hearts of many across South Africa, with calls for justice and clarity echoing for months. Posters bearing her image still line shop windows and lamp posts – a stark reminder of the unanswered questions that remain. As police continue their investigation, the country waits anxiously for a breakthrough that might finally bring Joslin home. Authorities have urged the public to report any relevant information, no matter how small, to local police stations or crime hotlines. No official statement had been issued by SAPS at the time of publishing. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
