(1)(a) The Kwa Thema Police Station is resourced in terms of vehicles and information technology (IT) equipment, however, as is the case with the overwhelming majority of business units in the South African Police Service (SAPS), it is not resourced to ideal levels, due to prevailing financial constraints.
The replacement of outdated IT equipment, for the Gauteng Province, has been earmarked for the 2025/26 financial year. The police stations and units and the operational policing capability in the province will, however, be prioritised to strengthen the SAPS’ frontline policing capability.
The Kwa Thema Police Station building is a nominal lease facility owned by the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The SAPS requested alternative accommodation for the Kwa Thema Police Station in 2010. Procurement or leasing of government buildings is mandated to the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (NDPWI). The owners of the building have already been requested to execute planned maintenance.
To address the accommodation challenges brought about by the facility's condition, the SAPS undertook a project in 2019 to place additional accommodation in park homes.
Various possible options are being explored by the NDPWI which include e.g. land swap, possible donation by municipality and the securing of alternative accommodation. A request to transfer the police station to the National Government was submitted to the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality. This option will enable the DPWI and SAPS to effect repairs to the Station.
The number of vehicles at the police station, in relation to the number of personnel at the Detective Service capability, is within the accepted norms.
(1)(b)(i) No IT equipment was replaced at the police station, due to current budget constraints. No new vehicles were allocated to the police station, due to the current vehicle strength at the station conforming to departmental norms.
(1)(b)(ii) The replacement of outdated IT equipment has been rescheduled for the 2025/26 financial year. All outstanding matters pertaining to the non-functional holding cells at the Station remains to mandate of the lessor (City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality).
(2)(a) The Kwa Thema Police Station is a non-devolved (leased property), therefore, refurbishment remains the responsibility of the lessor. The SAPS accepts responsibility for day-to-day maintenance e.g. replacement of broken glass, leaking plumbing etc.
(2)(b) The SAPS has approached the NDPWI to secure approval from the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, to confirm the intention to donate the building to the National Government.
(2)(c) The SAPS has approached the NDPWI, requesting that alternative accommodation be identified and procured, by the NDPWI.
(3)(a)(i) The Kwa Thema Police Station is currently staffed at 89.51%. No IT equipment was allocated to the police station in the current financial year. The police station currently has 100% of its granted vehicle allocation.
(3)(a)((ii)(aa) The cells at the police station are non-devolved (leased property), therefore, refurbishment remains the responsibility of the lessor. The SAPS accepts responsibility for day-to-day maintenance e.g. replacement of broken glass, leaking plumbing etc.
(3)(a)(ii)(bb) Restoration of holding cells at the police station remains the responsibility of the lessor.
(3)(b) During the current post promotion phase, which ended on 1 November 2024, two critical posts were advertised and filled. The staffing level has increased to 90.90%.
During phase 2 of the 2024/25 financial year entry-level trainees project, the police station will be allocated additional entry-level members.
The replacement of outdated IT equipment has been rescheduled for the 2025/26 financial year.