As concerns rage over the police’s functionality during the hours of load shedding, there have been suggestions of a potential increase in criminal activity during these periods as well. In a bid to address this issue, Western Cape Community Safety MEC, Dan Plato has reportedly requested a full briefing from police management as to what challenges police officers face during power cuts.

Department spokesperson Ewald Botha said they had received several complaints from citizens complaining about police functionality during the cuts, but they were seeking further information on which stations were facing challenges, and what those specific challenges were.

He noted that the national police commissioner had since sought to implement a “strategic plan”, which would see the Western Cape SAPS supplied with 22 generators at stations in question.

“We are glad that generators are being prioritised to the Western Cape. Luckily most of the stations already have generators in place, but we have to ensure that no station is skipped and no person anywhere in the province should feel anything but entirely confident in the services available to them,” he said.

Whilst there has been no definitive statistics pointing to an increase in criminal activity during load shedding hours, Botha said there were some reports of individual groups and policing forums going on high alert during these times. He said increased crime was not “beyond possibility”.

“Our main issue has been whether the stations are accessible, but what also needs to be answered is how safe the police themselves are at the stations during load shedding,” he said, making special mention on holding cell security.

He further rejected suggestions officers were prone to taking a more lethargic approach when lights went out, insisting there were enough dedicated men and women on the ground to assist with safety service delivery. However he did acknowledge the potential for one or two ‘bad apples’ to ruin the reputation of the police force as a whole.

With potentially as much as 85% of Western Cape stations deemed under resourced and undermanned, Botha was keen to highlight that the department were having discussions with all relevant role-players, to improve policing services throughout the province.

“This is something we are hoping the national minister will address in his upcoming budget on policing on Friday,” he stated.

South African nationals seeking to lay complaints with regards to service delivery within the police may do so by contacting the police ombudsman via email at ombudsman@westerncape.gov.za, or telephonically at 021 483 0669. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)