More than 200 police stations in South Africa without holding cells

Four of the top 30 police stations with the highest murder rate as well as the station in the 'rape capital' have no holding cells.

Sep 16, 2022 - 19:04
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More than 200 police stations in South Africa without holding cells

More than 200 police stations in the country do not have holding cells, including those that fall under the areas with the highest rates of murders and rape.

POLICE STATIONS LACK HOLDING CELLS IN SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES

A total of 202 police stations across the country do not have holding cells for criminals. This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele in his responses to parliamentary questions by the Democratic Alliance.

But this included Inanda police station in KwaZulu-Natal, an area dubbed the ‘rape capital of South Africa’, DA shadow deputy minister of police Okkie Terblanche said.

Four of the top 30 police stations with the most murders and contracts crimes are also among the list of those without holding cells, said Terblanche.

“In a time where a war rages against women and children, 104 people are murdered and 70 people are raped every single day in this country, the South African Police Service is not able to hold suspects in at least 200 of its stations.”

Okkie Terblanche
police stations
About 202 police stations in South Africa do not have holding cells. PHOTO: Twitter/@SAPoliceService

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THE OFFICIAL NUMBER WITH NO HOLDING CELLS IS ACTUALLY HIGHER

This list of 202 police stations did not include some stations that have non-operational holding cells.

Terblanche said some police stations have holding cells which are unsuitable or not functional.

“One only needs to visit stations around the country to see that the unofficial number of stations without working holding cells is far higher.”

Criminals arrested in police stations with no holding cells have to be transported to other stations. But this is a challenge and barely possible. This was revealed earlier this year when answers to parliamentary questions stated that hundreds of police vehicles are not operating.

“With severe staff shortages and a large number of vehicles out of order, these stations simply do not have the means to transfer criminals, who are then potentially left walking the streets until a court appearance.”

To ensure the full functionality of the South African Police Service, sufficient personnel, vehicles and holding cells are required, Terblanche said.

“The latest crime statistics confirmed contrarily the steady decline in police officers, detectives, reservists, and fleet since Bheki Cele assumed his position as minister. If Cele cannot even look after his own police force, how can members of the public expect him to look after their safety?”

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