Fury at dire lack of policing
Stutterheim farmers and villagers say two police stations in area close at night, leaving them vulnerabl
Farmers are angry over two lock-up-and-go police stations in the Stutterheim area.
The Daily Dispatch visited Bolo and Kubusie Drift police stations on Wednesday and found them both locked up at 6.30pm.
There was no sign of the 34 police officers apparently stationed there, or in fact, anyone.
At each station, the Dispatch saw a single bakkie parked in a bay.
Farmers blame the stations for the high rate of stock-theft in the area, saying the police have abandoned them.
In the release of the national crime statistics by police minister Bheki Cele in September, Stutterheim district police station was among the 30 worst areas for stock-theft in SA.
The station, which includes Bolo and Kubusie Drift, was ranked 26th, with 132 cases registered, up by 32 from the previous year’s 100.
Farmers and villagers said Bolo and Kubusie Drift police stations closed on the dot at 5pm daily. They told the Dispatch that it was a “free-for-all” for criminals after 5pm.
A police source said Bolo police station had 18 armed officers and Kubusie had 16, but this was not officially confirmed.
King William’s Town police spokesperson Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said: “This [the numbers] is an internal matter and a security risk.
“I cannot disclose the strength of the stations because criminals will get to know this.
“The members were on patrols on farms and villages to ensure safety of our community.
“When they patrol the areas they lock the gates for the safety of the police station,” he said.
Mawisa said only half of the officers were on duty at the stations as officers worked shifts.
“The stations mentioned are small farm stations within the cluster and operate from 10am to 10pm, and after that they are on standby for any serious crimes.
“The contact numbers for both station commanders are made available to the community for any assistance needed,” Mawisa said. Villagers and farmers claimed it took police 12 hours, or even days to respond to crimes.
Farmers Greg Miles, George Viljoen and Ian Cawthorn said they’d lost a combined total of 120 sheep in a year.
Miles said the stations were no use because they were situated “in the middle of nowhere” and not close to settlements.
“Take for instance Bolo station which is situated more than 10km from Mgwali Village, where most crime happens.
“It’s no use out there.”..
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