Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Retief Odendaal MPL and isiXhosa by Bax Nodada MP
- The DA welcomes the intervention by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, regarding the deplorable conditions at the Algoa Park Police Barracks.
- Minister Macpherson has confirmed that Public Works and Infrastructure will work with SAPS to find solutions to the issues.
- The department will do an audit of the residents living at the barracks to ensure that no one is staying there illegally.
The Democratic Alliance welcomes the intervention by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, following our efforts to highlight the deplorable conditions at the Algoa Park Police Barracks in Gqeberha.
I want to thank Minister Macpherson for personally visiting the barracks today and taking the concerns we raised seriously. His visit is a direct result of the oversight conducted by the DA and the letters we wrote to his office and that of the Acting Minister of Police.
[download pictures here, here, here and here]
On 3 June, I conducted an oversight inspection of the barracks and found deteriorating infrastructure, poor security, accumulated waste and unsanitary living conditions affecting police officers and their families.
Following that inspection, we wrote to Minister Macpherson requesting urgent intervention. The Minister subsequently instructed his Department’s regional office to investigate and assess the barracks.
I also wrote to the Acting Minister of Police. That intervention has also produced results. A SAPS delegation joined Minister Macpherson today in engaging on the condition of the Algoa Park Barracks. This means the issue has reached the highest levels of national government responsible for addressing the problem.
Minister Macpherson has confirmed that Public Works and Infrastructure will work with SAPS to find solutions to the issues encountered and will also do an audit of the residents living at the barracks to ensure that no one is staying there illegally.
We welcome this progress, but we will not declare victory until the necessary funding is secured and the work is done to fix the barracks.
Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. They deserve safe, clean, and dignified accommodation.
The DA will continue monitoring this process and holding all involved accountable to ensure that these commitments result in a funded project, critical repairs, improved security, and proper maintenance.
When the DA takes office after the elections on 4 November, we will ensure a safe and clean Metro which will assist SAPS to work in a conducive environment to get Nelson Mandela Bay working for all.