Download PDFA growing sense of anger is spreading among residents of Bronville over what they describe as the local police station’s failure to effectively serve and protect the community. Concerns range from inadequate staffing and resources to allegations of corruption and misconduct.
Residents have voiced frustration about slow response times, poor investigations, and a lack of engagement from police officers. Many are now calling on local authorities to take action and improve the station’s performance.
Some community members say they are even afraid to seek help from the police. “When we go to the station to open a case or ask for help, the officers don’t take our matters seriously,” said one resident. “They take their own time to assist people.”
Fikile Binza, 27, a Bronville resident, said:
“The lack of resources is killing our police officers. The system itself is corrupt. We have good cops in our community, yet drugs cannot be dealt with properly because of the lack of resources.”
Another resident, 22-year-old Don Van-Wyk, shared a personal experience:
“My grandma passed away and my little brother was the first to find her. I was devastated when I arrived and didn’t want to break down in front of him. I went to the police station for help, but instead of getting immediate assistance, the officers told me to call the emergency number. I couldn’t because I had no airtime. Luckily, a friend helped, but even then, we waited an hour for the police to arrive.”
The frustrations raised by Bronville residents highlight the urgent need for greater accountability, improved resources, and stronger community engagement in local policing.
This article was submitted on 01 August 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
