Residents living in the informal settlement in Philippi claim that they are fearing for their safety due to a lack of response from their local police station.
The residents have indicated that when they attempt to contact the cops for assistance, they do not receive the necessary support and are forced to visit the police station in person to lodge their complaints.
While they are informed that a vehicle will be dispatched, no such action is subsequently taken and criminals are reportedly exploiting this lack of response.
Nicolette Johnson, 50, currently living in Springfield Farm said that she has lodged several complaints but every time the cops don't pitch.
She tells the Daily Voice: “Previously I phoned for domestic violence complaints and they never came. Again on Saturday at 3am, an [alleged] child rapist tried to break into my place. His hand was already through my door. I messaged the captain of the police station and was told that they will send a van but they say that every time and no van came.
"The criminals are taking advantage because they know the police are not coming. I am so scared.”
Community leader Rodney Khan said that their complaints are falling on deaf ears.
In 2023 Rodney, reached out to Daily Voice after he claimed that he was chased away from the police station as they kap toe at 11pm every night and won’t help anyone knocking on its doors.
He says: “Nothing has changed, the service is just getting worse. On a Saturday when you go to the police station you are told there is only one van and it is covering a shooting in Hanover Park. I am not sure how they manage to get away with this poor service for so long.”
SAPS meanwhile are taking the claims seriously.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says: “Kindly be advised that your enquiry has been escalated for our principles to attend to. We will respond as soon as we receive their directives.”
Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety spokesperson, Kurt Nefdt said that it is indeed a concern if residents feel they are not getting any assistance from SAPS.
“If the community is experiencing difficulty in receiving services from Philippi SAPS, the most appropriate course of action will be to approach the Philippi Community Policing Forum(CPF) to facilitate better cooperation and service delivery. CPF's are mandated to serve as that important link between the South African Police Service and the community to improve the policing experience of a community and to facilitate dialogue between communities and the Police regarding crime issues.
If that step proves ineffective, I propose that the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety be approached to facilitate dialogue. Residents experiencing service delivery failures by SAPS are also able to report such failures to the Western Cape Police Ombudsman for investigation.”