Concerns over the closure of the holding cells at Kensington Police Station have arisen amid a spate of shootings and claims of escapes at the cop shop.
Ward councillor Cheslyn Steenberg has lodged a complaint with the Parliamentary Police Portfolio Committee outlining the issues amid a three-year battle for improvement of the building.
Speaking to the Daily Voice, Steenberg said operations at the holding cells were put on hold several years ago when cops discovered a slang was in the water pipes.
Steenberg reveals: "When I was the chairperson of the Community Policing Forum many years ago, we were told that all of the troubles started with a snake in the piping system.
"After that it was found that the ventilation system was inadequate to house detainees who have not yet appeared in court. Representatives from the national departments visited the station and found the holding cells to be inhabitable and it was subsequently shut."
He says cops then undertook to transport all detainees daily to Maitland Police Station where they are held in custody until they appear in court.
Steenberg said the community was left vulnerable as opportunistic skollies used this time to carry out shootings.
He add: "Because the gangs know that at the shift change the cops are transporting detainees to Maitland there is no van in the area and that is when they shoot.
"The problems with the holding cells now poses a serious risk to the safety of residents who are now vulnerable to the elements so wrote the letter to the portfolio committee to raise these concerns. I saw that the matter was referred to Saps but we have not heard back as yet.’
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, confirmed thay he received the letter and says the committee are very concerned.
Cameron says: ‘We received the letter and referred it on the same day to SAPS for a response.
"This seems to be a general problem at various stations like Belhar and Muizenberg police stations. We are very concerned and will be conducting oversight visits very soon."
According to a Daily Voice source, cops at the station claimed the conditions at the holding cells had also resulted in two suspects escaping from custody recently.
The insider says: "The details are not clear but it appears that as the holding cells are not functional, the detainees were kept in a police van and subsequently escaped."
Police spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, confirmed the holding cells are closed.
He says: "Due to safety and humanitarian concerns, the holding cells at Kensington police station are currently not in use.
"This matter is receiving the necessary attention, and plans are underway to address the situation to ensure that detainees will no longer need to be accommodated at Maitland or any other neighbouring stations."
