Over 100 SA police stations are 'uninhabitable': R305 million set aside for critical upgrades

After years of neglected infrastructure that left 10% of police stations in "inhabitable" condition, the government has finally set aside R305.7 million for urgent upgrades, a move described as long overdue and critical to restoring public trust.

Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia revealed this alarming picture in a written response to Rise Mzansi, confirming that 118 of the country's 1,165 police stations fail to meet basic operational standards.

Cachalia stated that these facilities "have been found to be inhabitable and/or unsuitable for a productive working environment."

The worst-affected provinces are the North West, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal, regions already battling high levels of illegal mining, sexual offences, stock theft, and housebreaking, where functional policing infrastructure is most urgently needed.

Rise Mzansi National Assembly Whip Makashule Gana said the numbers expose a police service increasingly unable to protect the public.

“The story behind these numbers points to a South African Police Service (SAPS) that is unable to effectively keep the people of South Africa safe.”

He added that collapsing facilities violate the working rights of nearly 190,000 SAPS personnel, 155,231 employees under the SAPS Act and 32,450 under the Public Service Act, who operate under conditions that hinder morale and productivity.

Gana said the party is encouraged by the 35 infrastructure projects expected to be completed by the end of the financial year. These include seven new police stations, three undergoing planned maintenance, and 25 repairs to holding cells.

He also highlighted Cachalia’s disclosure that “the total budget for structural upgrades in the current financial year is estimated at R305,768,680. The total amount spent on structural upgrades as of 21 October 2025 is R34,651,405.”

Gana said he will soon conduct an oversight visit to the SAPS Head Office in Pretoria to push senior management to prioritise well-resourced and well-maintained stations, which he said are “key to restoring trust between communities and the SAPS and boosting the morale of the women and men in blue.”

“RISE Mzansi will also keep a sharp eye on the budget allocated for structural upgrades so that money is not squandered or stolen,” he added.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za