Community Safety Committee Raises Alarm Over Hijackings, Kidnappings and Failing Police Infrastructure
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called for urgent intervention at the Pretoria West Police Station following a disturbing oversight visit that exposed severe infrastructure failures, outdated technology systems and growing crime concerns in the area.
The Committee has formally requested immediate action from Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni after discovering conditions that members described as “unacceptable” for a police station expected to combat serious criminal activity in Pretoria West.
Fragmented Police Station Weakens Crime Response
One of the Committee’s biggest concerns is that the Pretoria West Police Station currently operates from three separate office buildings located far apart from one another.
According to the Committee, this fragmented arrangement negatively affects operational coordination, command and control, communication between police units and rapid response to crime incidents.
Officials warned that the separation of departments across multiple buildings creates major inefficiencies in policing operations at a time when communities are facing increasing levels of violent crime.
“The current structure compromises the station’s ability to respond swiftly and cohesively to crime-related incidents,” the Committee said.
Outdated Computers and Slow Networks Affect Service Delivery
The oversight team also discovered serious Information and Communication Technology (ICT) problems at the station, including outdated computers and slow, unreliable internet connectivity.
These challenges reportedly delay case processing, disrupt access to policing systems and weaken overall law enforcement efficiency.
The Committee stressed that police officers cannot effectively serve communities while operating with failing technology infrastructure.
“A police station is the nerve centre of community safety and cannot be expected to effectively combat crime while operating under such unacceptable conditions,” the Committee stated.
Hijackings and Kidnappings Increasing in Pretoria West
During the visit, members of the Committee received reports of escalating hijackings and kidnappings within the Pretoria West policing precinct.
The area is also reportedly battling the continued spread of illegal scrapyards and hijacked buildings, which have become hotspots for criminal activities.
One of the most shocking revelations was that a building located directly next to the police station itself has allegedly been hijacked by criminals.
The Committee described this as deeply alarming and said it raises serious questions about policing visibility and crime control in the area.
Call for Immediate Intervention
The Committee is now urging Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni and other law enforcement stakeholders to urgently address the station’s infrastructure crisis, improve ICT systems and strengthen operational capacity.
Members believe immediate intervention is necessary to restore public confidence in the South African Police Service and improve safety for Pretoria West residents.
“Communities deserve police stations that are properly resourced, functional and capable of effectively responding to crime,” the Committee said.
The Committee further warned that the current state of Pretoria West Police Station weakens the fight against crime and undermines trust between communities and law enforcement agencies.
As concerns over violent crime continue to grow across Gauteng, residents will now be watching closely to see whether provincial authorities act swiftly to stabilise one of Pretoria’s most troubled policing precincts.
