Durban - An emergency meeting has been held at one of Durban’s biggest police stations because of the spike in violent crime in the area it services and the poor morale of policeman who work there.
One of the most serious problems facing the Greenwood Park police is the lack of cars with 23 vehicles out of action. Some of these have been sent for repairs. The total number of vehicles at the station cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
In recent weeks several senior officers have retired or resigned.
The station services Durban North, Glen Anil, Red Hill, Greenwood Park, Briardene, Sea Cow Lake, Kenville, Springfield Park, Avoca Hills and River Horse Valley.
Six months ago Captain Basil Naidoo was killed in a shoot-out when he responded to a robbery alert in Umgeni Park. The violent crime has the remaining, and mostly junior, officers constantly at a disadvantage.
More than two weeks ago wedding planner Stephen John Edmondstone was shot dead in a robbery in Umgeni Park. The killing prompted Durban North/Greenwood Park councillor Shaun Ryley to intervene in the policing crisis.
“The murder has highlighted how diminishing staff and the lack of roadworthy vehicles are severely hampering the efforts of the remaining personnel at the Greenwood Park police station,” he said.
Ryley said that on the weekend of Edmondstone’s murder, there were “three violent attacks on three consecutive days” in Durban North.
He said there had been an exodus of police, and they had not been replaced.
Ryley said while the “crisis” meeting was in progress at Grace Family Church in Durban North, an armed house robbery took place in Wedgewood Crescent, in Umgeni Park.
Effingham councillor Ganesh Deochand said the police had complained that vehicles were “taking a long time to get fixed” because of “red tape”.
A policeman, who asked to remain anonymous, said his superiors were “frustrated”. He said there was nothing station commanders could do if they did not have the manpower or resources.
Greenwood Park Community Police Forum chairman Robin Candy said the problems were symptomatic of what was happening across the country.
However, police spokesman Thulani Zwane denied there had been an “exodus” from the station, saying that “one or two” officers had left this year.
He admitted there were challenges with cars.
“Management is addressing that challenge. But it is normal for cars to be booked for a service,” he said.
He dismissed claims that 23 cars were out of action.
The Mercury