Excitement was evident on the faces of Makhaza residents as the Minister of Police Bheki Cele visited the site during the sod turning on Wednesday 2 August.
The event followed many years of unhappiness among Makhaza who wanted a local police station to fight crime in the area and Khayelitsha as a whole. The police station is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
Dignitaries who attended the event included the national police commissioner Lt-Gen Sehlahle Masemola, provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile and Western Cape Minister for Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagan Allen.
Cele described the station as an asset to the community. He said the construction of the station is long overdue. He urged the community to protect the station.
“Whatever your problems are, don’t come close and stop this project. The community must mobilise against whoever is trying to stop this project. It has nothing to do with the individuals. This project has been dragging for more than a decade to be where it is today,” said Cele.
He pleaded with the local leaders to stop politicising the service delivery. He stated that crime has been reduced in the province but emphasised that it mustn’t be said by government officials it needs to come from the community.
“We shouldn’t blow our trumpet and say it has been reduced. The time will come when the community speaks for themselves citing that crime is reduced. They mustn’t be told they must feel it,” said Cele.
Khayelitsha Development Forum chair Ndithini Tyhido said there is a light at the end of the tunnel. He urged other departments to come on board. “You cannot be in an area where there are more than two million people and not build offices and engage in any infrastructure development and yet expect no crime,” he stated.
Resident Vuyo Gobityholo said their dream came through. He stated that crime is becoming a norm in the area.
“The construction of a police station in the area will make a huge difference to the community. We are no longer going to Harare police station now for services. And I believe the crime will decrease because the criminals will be scared to commit a crime,” said Gobityholo.
He said he hopes that it can be completed within the stipulated period.