File
Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC, Xolile Nqata, has appealed to local communities for assistance in identifying the culprits following an arson attack on the Middledrift police station this week.
Nqata visited the police station on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage caused in Monday's incident, believed to have been caused by a petrol-bomb.
He said the fire destroyed the building that housed the police detectives, administrators, archives, and case dockets.
Nqata said fortunately, critical information such as DNA and ballistic results were not stored in that building.
He said police were working hard to reconstruct all the burnt case dockets.
"The torching of this police station is a direct attack on the state.
"The police are working tirelessly to find those behind this heinous crime. We urge community members to report anyone involved in the burning of this police station so they can be arrested and held accountable for their
actions," Nqata said after the visit.
The MEC said authorities believe the fire was caused by a petrol bomb, but added that the investigation was still underway, and a case of arson has been opened.
