The long-awaited Makhaza Police Station is set to take shape following a meeting with officials from the office of the national police minister, provincial officials and various Khayelitsha stakeholders on Friday 3 March.
The gathering to discuss progress was at Harare Police Station.
According to reports, the construction is expected to start at the end of the month.
Makhaza Community Policing Forum chair Funeka Soldaat described the construction of the station as a victory for the Makhaza community.
She said the station’s presence would reduce the load on Harare Police Station.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. And we don’t have a reason not to believe the officials because they even gave us documents showing dates when the construction will commence. We are just waiting for the construction to start,” said Soldaat and urged the community to be patient.
Soldaat highlighted car hijackings, murder and domestic violence as common crimes in the area.
She said the station would have enough resources to cater to the Makhaza community.
National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the meeting was a feedback session about the commitments made by police management about the temporary and permanent structures.
The divisional commissioner for supply chain management, Lt- Gen Molefi Fani and the provincial commissioner Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile met with the community to discuss the expedited programme on the temporary police station structure.
“The meeting was also held to assure the community that a permanent structure will be built and the project will commence in the 2023/2024 financial year. In terms of ensuring there is heightened and increased police visibility, there is a mobile police station in the area that has 10 vehicles and staff. This station currently assists with reporting of cases as well as certification duties,” she said.
Once a temporary structure is in place additional services like a permanent detectives unit will be permanently positioned at the station.
Khayelitsha Development Forum chair Ndithini Tyhido cautiously welcomed the news.
“KDF was the facilitator of the construction of the police station. We’ve been talking with the communities about the construction of the station for so long. Now, we don’t want to comment anymore. At least let’s wait for Tuesday 21 March, when they officially hand over the site. Then we can talk,” said Tyhido, adding that the government has failed numerous times to fulfill its promises.