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At an oversight inspection at the Grabouw Police Station, DA constituency head for Theewaterskloof, Isaac Sileku, was informed by the station commander that this particular station is dangerously under-staffed.
The station commander pointed out that the allocation of police officers to Grabouw is inaccurate to begin with. The current allocation is calculated according to the 2011 Census, which reflects an outdated population of 122 000 residents – and this is for the whole of Theewaterskloof. At the moment, the population in Grabouw alone is approximately 165 000.
Another important issue raised is that the Grabouw Police Station is still classified as a rural station. Considering that this station has to service fourteen informal settlements, it must be rectified in order for the station to receive appropriate resources.
Grabouw is notorious for regular protest action that often turns violent. Joining Sileku at the police station was DA councillor, Sammy Fredericks, who explained that “law enforcement is not being utilised for the right purposes. They are tasked by the municipality to escort and protect certain councillors instead of assisting SAPS where needed.”
Sileku reiterated the DA’s call for the devolution of policing powers to competent provincial governments. “National government is failing to make Grabouw a safer place to live in. However, the Western Cape Government has shown much success in terms of crime-fighting and crime prevention. Policing powers need to be devolved to the Western Cape urgently so that our people can live their lives without constant fear of violent crime.”