Port Elizabeth – The launch of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s much anticipated Metro Police Force has been postponed until next month.
The first phase of the R4 million Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police was meant to kick off on April 30.
Acting City Manager Johan Mettler, said the two-week delay was due to practical issues and anticipated lengthy consultations regarding the programme.
Mettler said that the roll out of the programme would now commence on May 15.
He added that at a council meeting earlier this month, an additional R17.4 million was approved for the programme.
The metro police department has been six years in the making. Metro Police Chief Pinkie Mathabethe was employed in 2014 but has had no actual police force to lead.
Democratic Alliance Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral candidate Athol Trollip was previously quoted as saying that Mathabethe earned a salary but had no police officials at her authority.
“She earns over a million rand a year but she has no metro police people underneath her authority,” said Trollip.
The metro police force in the city is expected to include a 24-hour service and civilian oversight.
African News Agency
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