Celani Sikhakhane
Police stations across Zululand are facing a shortage of holding cells, forcing officers and prisoners to undergo hours-long trips in search of free cells.
Officers stationed at Nongoma police station have faced a shortage since the Department of Public Works promised to renovate and fix their holding cells almost a decade ago.
“Our members have to travel from Nongoma to other areas to seek holding cells with very dangerous criminals. Some… are the most highly organised hitmen,” one officer told Scrolla.Africa.
He said prisoners are being transported to several different locations, including KwaCeza, an 80 minute drive away.
Another source revealed that this crisis is being faced by stations across Zululand.
“The situation is affecting most of our police stations here in Zululand. The Department of Public Works is failing to deal with the problem of renovating our holding cells in most police stations here in Zululand,” the source, who did not wish to be named, said.
Most of the police stations in Zululand are situated in rural areas and were constructed during apartheid with small holding cell capacities.
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS authorities referred Scrolla.Africa to the Public Works National Office for answers.
Thamsanqa Mchunu from the Department of Public Works promised to respond to Scrolla.Africa’s enquiry but did not reply in time for publication.
