Dunoon’s new mobile police station is deployed near the taxi rank.
After years of pleading with the powers that be, Dunoon residents have finally received a mobile police station in their community.
Residents have long complained about having to travel as far as Milnerton police station to report crimes, follow up on crimes reported, or make affidavits.
Anele Khova, who lives in Waxberry Street near the taxi rank where the mobile police station is deployed, said he had been robbed at least four times during the five years he had lived in Dunoon.
"I came from the Eastern Cape seven years ago looking for a better life. I lived in Khayelitsha for about two years before coming here. This place is closer to factories and other jobs. I've been robbed so many times. The first time, I was at a shop in broad daylight. This place desperately needed these police.“
Another resident, Nomsa Julwa, said that the police presence was very welcome in the community.
"This is a lifesaver for many of us. Especially us as women who are in constant danger from strangers and from even our life partners. Thank you, SAPS, for this.“
Residents said they hoped SAPS would announce plans soon for a permanent police station in the area.
Provincial police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said the mobile police station had met with a positive response from the community.
"Normal policing duties, including administrative duties, affidavits and opening of cases, will be rendered, and we are still monitoring. The mobile station will continue until further instruction," he said.
Site 5, the informal settlement near Dunoon, would also benefit from the new station, said Table View police spokeswoman Captain Adriana Chandler.
"This will assist the community of Site 5, which is part of the Table View precinct with all matters that are not crime related, such as affidavits and certification. All crime-related issues will still be tended to by Table View police station," she said.
Milnerton SAPS, which for years has been the go-to police station for Dunoon residents, also welcomed the initiative. The station’s spokeswoman, Captain Nopaya Madyibi, said, "Everyone seems happy about the initiative. We are also pleased that Dunoon residents can get assistance much quicker and not have to travel great distances to Milnerton.:
Tabletalk asked the Milnerton police and the provincial police headquarters specific questions about the number of police officers and vans deployed at the mobile station, how many successful operations it has been part of and whether there are plans for a permanent station in the community, but Captain Van Wyk said: “Members posted will work as per operational programmes, but we cannot divulge more on that.”