COP SHOP INNIE BANK - Wesbank residents celebrate after finally getting their eie ‘police station’

WESBANK residents finally have their own police station after years of campaigning for their own cop shop.

On Monday, a mobile South African Police Service (SAPS) Community Service Centre was launched which will allow residents to lay complaints, open cases, make affidavits, certify documents and more.

Wesbank se mense wasted no time to check out their mobile police station and put the officers to work.

On the frontline of the campaign to make all this possible was the Wesbank Women Movement who spent two years marching and petitioning to have their cries heard for a police station for the community.

Chairperson Yvonne Petersen said of their wens finally coming true: “Our biggest concern was the murders here in Wesbank, including rape, abuse and every sort of crime. 

“To open a case, make affidavits or certify documents we had to go to Mfuleni police station, Delft or Kuils River. The distances were very far. You had to take transport or walk a long distance.

“The police station was a must because you can’t even leave your house in the morning without someone pointing a gun at you. We do not feel safe. 

“We pleaded, signed petitions and marched for a police station. We are very happy for this mobile station. 

“We have a clinic but we do not have a Day Hospital. That will be our next focus because we have health risks in our area with drains overflowing constantly.”

The mobile clinic is on rotation but will be on the corner of Silversands Road and Wesbank Main Road every Monday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm.

Resident Illze Swartz said that she has been living in Wesbank since its inception and it’s long overdue.

Swartz said: “It is about time, I am thankful that a start was made, we are waiting for a complete police station building. 

“A satellite police station is OK for the basics but after all these years we deserve a stable police station.

“When things happen in this community, you can’t speak out or testify in a case because you will get threatened or killed.

"We can’t even sit outside at 9pm when it's hot because then they start shooting. 

“As a resident I am very thankful, maybe we will be able to sleep better at night now.”