This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
South Africa's police top brass gathered in Plettenberg Bay on Thursday to open the popular coastal holiday town's new state-of-the-art police station.
Among the guests were Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, his deputy Maggie Sotyu, national Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega, head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) Robert McBride, Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer and George police cluster commander Major-General Thembikile Patekile.
The renovation project, which was completed over about 18 months, not only includes a new building with updgraded facilities, but is also home to a new victim support centre.
Nhleko said that South Africa had a painful past and the opening of a police station was a reminder that South Africans should never "relapse back to a time of oppression". "Back to a time where police stations represented all that was wrong in the country," Nhleko said.
He added that in the past police stations had become fearsome places for political activists and communities who knew exactly "what was going on inside". "And heard the piercing screams from the dungeons of police stations."
Nhleko said that since the dawn of the democracy however police stations had become symbols of hope, safety and community involvement.
He also praised Plettenberg Bay's community for its efforts in fighting crime by ensuring a good working relationship between the municipality, the community police forum (CPF) and the police.
Nhleko added that every citizen had a responsibility to ensure South Africa became a safery country. "Although police officers and police stations represent hope, there are things we just can't predict. There can never be a police officer in every household we all have to come to a turning point and say enough is enough."
