Byline: Kelebogile Masemola

19 July 2022

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is petitioning the Pretoria North Police Station regarding the poor service that the residents in the area are receiving from the station.

Residents are tired of being intimidated and turned away by the police when trying to report incidents of crime at this station.

Earlier this week, DA councillor, Yolanda Duvenage, tried to engage with the Pretoria North SAPS regarding the illegal street vendors in the area but was instead verbally abused by the police.

“This is extremely concerning as this is not the service that our residents deserve from those who are tasked to serve and protect the community,” said Duvenage.

Furthermore, the DA has received numerous complaints from members of the public who claims that they have been turned away when trying to report incidents of crime and received no assistance from the police at Pretoria North SAPS.

“We have also received reports that members of the public are intimidated by the police, and there is no follow-up on the cases reported to this police station.

This is worrying as our residents are trying to assist the SAPS with keeping the area safe by reporting suspicious activity, but they are not assisted as they should be,” added Duvenage.

The DA will be conducting an oversight inspection at Pretoria North Police Station to ascertain why the residents are complaining about poor police service delivery and provide alternative solutions to improve the relationship between the SAPS and the community.

“This is not the level of service we expect to receive from our police.

Our residents deserve a professionalised police service that is committed to serving and protecting the communities they serve.

Come 2024, our residents will once again have an opportunity to change this by using their vote to ensure that they get the police service they rightfully deserve,” she said.