Angry community members from the Tshepang and New Life areas in Verkeerdevlei are calling for a permanent, fully operational police station that operates around the clock, citing serious concerns over safety and delayed response times to crimes.
Residents highlighted that the local police station closes at night, particularly on Sundays, leaving the community without immediate access to law enforcement services. When serious crimes are reported, police backup must be summoned from the Winburg police station, which is located a significant distance away. Community members expressed frustration over the limited staffing, claiming that only three police officers are assigned per shift, which they say is insufficient to meet the area’s needs.
One resident described a personal experience of visiting the police station on a Sunday around 8:00 p.m. only to find it closed, receiving assistance only the following day. In another incident, a call for help went unanswered, with the police van arriving days later. Residents emphasized that the station’s nighttime closures and the shortage of personnel create ongoing problems, urging the provincial authorities to deploy more officers to the station and address issues such as broken vehicles that hinder operations.
A spokesperson for the South African Police Union (SAPU) acknowledged the challenges at the Verkeerdevlei police station but defended the nighttime closures, prioritizing the safety and well-being of police officers. The spokesperson noted that police officers face frequent attacks, stations are targeted, and officers have been killed in the line of duty. Emphasizing that a single officer cannot safely respond alone and requires a partner for backup, the union supported closing the station at night to protect members, especially given the manpower shortages. The spokesperson stressed that the safety of union members must come first, as further losses would worsen the staffing ratio.
SAPU further called for increased recruitment to address the growing population in the Free State and the persistent shortages across stations. The union advocated for the continuation of the “10,000 project” – a recruitment initiative – arguing that it should not be stopped despite ongoing resignations, retirements, and deaths among officers. This, they said, is essential to ensure more “boots on the ground.” The spokesperson commended the community’s actions in raising the issue but advised them to engage through proper channels, such as the Community Policing Forum, to ensure station management is fully informed of the officers’ struggles and the need for support.
The provincial police department stated that it is aware of the challenges facing the Verkeerdevlei police station. Community members continue to demand immediate improvements to ensure better protection and faster emergency responses in their area.