Thokozile Mnguni
The chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has raised concerns over severe staff and resource shortages at police stations and specialised units in Cape Town.
Cameron conducted oversight visits at facilities in Khayelitsha and Kuils River this week. He said the inspections exposed operational failures affecting frontline policing and investigations into serious crimes.
At the Khayelitsha South African Police Service (SAPS) station, 15 of 38 vehicles were out of service and in repair workshops. Nine vehicles used for visible policing were unavailable, along with five assigned to detective services.
Records reviewed during the visit showed some vehicles had been awaiting repairs for months. One vehicle reportedly spent 121 days in a workshop for suspension repairs, while another waited 88 days for panel beating.
Cameron said the shortages are affecting police efforts in high-crime communities.
He also visited the Kuils River Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, which investigates rape, domestic violence and crimes against children.
According to Cameron, the unit serves Kuils River, Kleinvlei, Mfuleni and the Mfuleni satellite area, but currently has about seven investigators. The unit is reportedly short of four investigators and one administrative staff member.
He said the unit receives around 40 new dockets every month, placing major pressure on investigators handling traumatising cases.
“These are not ordinary cases. They involve child victims, sexual offence survivors, forensic evidence, court preparation and ongoing support for victims and families,” Cameron said.
He warned that workloads become heavier when officers attend court, visit crime scenes or follow up on evidence.
Cameron also criticised the condition of offices used by the FCS unit, saying the environment is not suitable for children and victims of sexual violence.
“Victims should not have to sit in cold, ordinary office spaces that are not designed for trauma-sensitive engagement,” he said.
He further raised concerns over delays in ICT support, saying investigators require functioning laptops and equipment to manage cases effectively.
Cameron said he had written to senior SAPS management calling for urgent intervention. He added that Parliament’s oversight work must focus on fixing failures affecting GBV and child protection investigations.