The Shocking State of KwaZulu-Natal’s SAPS Garage

Statement by Ofentse Mokae MP – DA NCOP Member on the Select Committee on Security and Justice:

Yesterday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an unannounced oversight visit to the SAPS garage in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, exposing deep-seated poor administrative controls and a lack of resources to keep residents safe. The facility is in such a poor state that criminals are breaking in and stealing from the vehicles that are meant to be repaired.

The facility received additional work from the nearby garage in Durban Central; however, no additional capacity was added. With new units being brought to the province, this puts extra pressure on an already overstretched team.

The facility has over 250 vehicles, some awaiting parts and others repairs.

At the centre of the challenge is the centralised contract that is administered by Pretoria, with suppliers not meeting the requirements to assist garages to efficiently and effectively repair and service vehicles in their facilities.

The DA is deeply concerned with these burdensome challenges and will hold the Acting Minister directly accountable when he appears for a question session in the NCOP later this month. The DA will use this opportunity to demand accountability and call for an overhaul in the process to repair and service SAPS. We will continue in our endeavour to hold government accountable in order to Catch, Convict and Clean up our crime and justice system.