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Tshwane Approves Land Transfer for New Olievenhoutbosch Police Station
A New Chapter for a Community Tired of Waiting
After more than two decades of waiting, the residents of Olievenhoutbosch in Tshwane are finally one step closer to getting a proper, fully equipped police station. The City of Tshwane council has officially approved the transfer of municipal land to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), clearing the way for the long-overdue construction of a permanent police facility.
For years, law enforcement in the area has operated from a modest four-room house that doubles as a satellite police station, despite serving a population of over 200,000 residents. The precinct covers multiple wards and sprawling informal settlements, including Choba, where a tragic tavern shooting in July claimed six lives.
Local councillor Kenneth Masha said the move was critical for both safety and dignity. “You would imagine that such a population would need a proper police station to cover that particular area,” he noted. “The station has been operating out of a four-room house for 24 years.”
From Makeshift to Modern
The land earmarked for the new facility lies in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 23, comprising two erven (3707 and 3708). The DPWI will take over the site to build a modern, fully operational station, finally replacing the overcrowded, container-filled setup that has struggled to meet the community’s needs.
The city’s latest decision also reverses a 2007 council resolution that only allowed for a temporary lease of the land. With the new approval, the national government can now own and invest in the site directly, unlocking long-term funding and infrastructure development under the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, hailed the transfer as a “long-awaited breakthrough” that would help restore order and safety to one of Tshwane’s fastest-growing areas.
A Station That Outgrew Itself
Democratic Alliance councillor Ina Strijdom painted a stark picture of how dire the situation had become. She said the satellite station was “structurally inadequate, operationally strained, and overwhelmed” by population growth that has likely pushed the local count well beyond 300,000 people since 2021.
“It lacks holding cells and proper detective offices,” Strijdom explained. “The remaining space is packed with mobile offices, temporary containers, and makeshift structures. It’s not just inefficient. It’s a public safety crisis.”
Councillors from across party lines agreed that the precinct urgently needed an upgrade. The new station is expected to bring more police visibility and resources to an area that has faced rising crime and rapid urban expansion.
Hope for Safer Streets
For many residents, this approval represents more than paperwork; it’s a sign of long-overdue recognition. Olievenhoutbosch has become a symbol of the challenges that come with urban growth outpacing infrastructure. With crime concerns mounting and residents demanding better service delivery, the new station could be a turning point for public confidence.
The DPWI will now begin the process of formalising designs, securing contractors, and rolling out construction timelines. Once complete, the station will serve as a central hub for law enforcement across multiple wards, extending its reach to nearby informal settlements.
As Morodi summed it up: “This is not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about rebuilding trust between the community and the state and creating safer neighbourhoods for generations to come.”
Also read: SAPS Officers Exposed as Contract Killers: Crime Intelligence Warns of Deep Infiltration
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: SABC News
