- Three out of 10 police holding cells at Kensington SAPS reopened after being closed since 2019.
- Closure initially ordered by SAHRC over unfit and unsafe conditions.
- Refurbishment of all cells underway, with PSC continuing to investigate reasons for past shutdown.
For the people of Kensington, the reopening of three long-shuttered police holding cells marks the end of a frustrating chapter that has lasted more than half a decade.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) in the Western Cape confirmed that the cells are once again operational, bringing temporary relief to both law enforcement and residents who have been calling for better policing resources.
The 10 holding cells at Kensington SAPS were closed in 2019 after an inspection by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) raised serious concerns about their conditions. Since then, the absence of detention space became a pressing community issue, sparking protests and fuelling complaints about policing inefficiency in the area.
It was only after the Western Cape PSC took up the matter, following community outcry and media reports, that progress began. Working with SAPS officials, the PSC arranged a fresh inspection of the facility.
The inspection revealed only minor defects that required correction, and a repair timeline was agreed upon. Once the SAHRC was invited back for a joint inspection, it was decided that three of the cells were fit for immediate use, while all ten would still undergo a full refurbishment.
Commissioner Ashley Searle of the PSC welcomed the development, calling it an important step in strengthening justice delivery in the area. “The PSC is pleased to see three holding cells operational again, as this development is crucial for maintaining effective service delivery within the justice system. The reasons why the cells were closed in 2019 remain under investigation by the PSC and a report will be issued in this regard,” he said.
For Kensington residents, however, signal greater responsiveness to community concerns and renewed collaboration between oversight bodies such as the PSC and SAHRC.
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