Police Ombudsman to investigate SAPS in Overstrand area
20 May 2019
We welcome the notice given by the Provincial Police Ombudsman that he will be investigating the South African Police Service (SAPS) operation in the Overstrand area.
It is alleged that the Gansbaai, Hermanus, Kleinmond and Stanford SAPS police Stations are unable to perform their mandate, as prescribed in section 205(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Section 205(3) of the Constitution states that: “[t]he objects of the police service are to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law.”
Policing is a national mandate and the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has to ensure that the stations have all the relevant resources that they require. We have received various complaints from residents about the state of the service in the area and how their complaints are not being addressed.