Mbalula, not province, has power to send in more police - Phillipi East leader
3 October 2017
Cape Town - Police Minister Fikile Mbalula is the only person with the power to send more police officers to Philippi East, and he must do it urgently, a local community leader and politician said on Tuesday.
"Dan Plato, the MEC for community safety in the province, does not have the legal powers to instruct the police. Only the national minister can," said Nceba Hinana, who is also a DA member of the provincial legislature.
"The reservists are no longer there. And there are not enough police available," said Hinana, one of a number of people waiting for Mbalula to arrive at the police station.
The minister's visit comes after 11 people were shot in nearby Marikana, close to the Philippi East police station, on Friday night.