Hon Mmoloki Cwaile conducted oversight visit at Bethanie Police Station as part of the oversight week programme that was held on 10 – 13 October 2023.

The program is aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government.

Bethanie Police Station is situated in the Bojanala District Municipality and has two sectors which cater a population of 28781. The station services the community of Bethanie, Modikwe, Makolokwe, Barseba, Maumong and Lekgalong.

Amongst some of the challenges mentioned was that there is a network problem, where systems are slow to access information, insufficient equipment that is the photocopy and fax machines as well as telephones, holding cells are dilapidated, there are leakages of water on the roof from pipes that supply water inside the cells and no hot water.

The committee noted the detailed report of the station but made observations on other challenges at the police station such as no sign language practitioner in cases of assisting persons with disabilities, there is non-compliance on registers that are not up to date, the station does not cater for rural safety at nearby farms.
Hon Cwaile pleaded with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management to supply the station with the necessary tools of trade to ensure functionality at the station.

“All necessary tools of trade should be availed and prioritised to allow proper functionality of the station.
“The station needs to work together with the municipality to look into spaza shops currently owned by foreign nationals to ensure compliance and assist in eradicating illegal foreigners who stay in those shops,” said Hon Cwaile.

The committee made amongst other suggestions to the station to seek funding from surrounding mines in the Bojanala district to assist Community Police Forum (CPF), to look into Gender Based Violence (GBV) intensified programme, and start interacting with NPOs and associations that work with cases of GBV and to intensify capacity building.

The committee however appreciated and welcomed a detailed report on roadworks done by the Department of Public Works and Roads on the upgrading of road D520 from Makolokwe to Bethanie from gravel to surface. The completed road is approximately 10.95km.

The committee appreciated improvement towards the employment of youth and persons with disabilities all residing in Makolokwe and Bethanie as well the good quality of road construction.

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